Conserving a good population of beneficial insects in the crop
starts with making well informed and rational pest management
decisions using the following considerations; - Pesticides
applied to crops can reduce beneficial abundance - Bollgard II ®
reduces the need to spray pesticides, but is susceptible to some
pests. - If pesticides drift onto areas of native vegetation
this may deplete beneficial numbers there as well. - Use of
effective pest and plant damage sampling and use of pest
thresholds will ensure pesticides are only applied when needed.
- Pesticides vary in their effect on beneficials. > Regularly
sample and correctly identify pest and beneficial populations.
Observe beneficial activity (e.g. thrips in mite colonies,
parasitised aphid mummies). The correct sample size will produce
more accurate results. > Regularly sample plant damage and
observe plant health. > Use industry pest and damage thresholds
to assess if pests require control. > If control is required use
the most selective effective pe