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Title: Common insect and mite pests of small grains

Author
item ROYER, TOM - Oklahoma State University
item GILES, KRISTOPHER - Oklahoma State University
item Elliott, Norman - Norm

Submitted to: Oklahoma Agriculture Experiment Station Departmental Publication
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2012
Publication Date: 10/1/2012
Citation: Royer, T.A., Giles, K.L., Elliott, N.C. 2012. Common insect and mite pests of small grains. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheets, EPP-7176. 4 p.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Many insects feed on small grains but most do not cause significant damage. Major pest outbreaks are infrequent, but in any given year, some fields will require an insecticide application in order to control a pest outbreak. During severe outbreak years, insecticides may be applied to millions of acres. The decision to apply an insecticide to control a pest is a decision based on economics and environmental responsibility. Therefore, they should be used only when necessary. The use of a well designed integrated pest management (IPM) program can aid in making responsible decisions on the use of pesticides. Field scouting, or pest monitoring is a cornerstone of any effective IPM program, and begins with correct identification of the pest in question. Crop pests can be identified through a combination of direct recognition, knowing something about the biology and habits of the pest, and recognizing injury symptoms on the plant. Scouting does not have to be time consuming, but should provide enough information to make an economically sensible decision. IPM programs should be based on information derived from solid research, be flexible in practice, and include a suitable combination of biological, cultural, and mechanical control methods. As a general rule, pesticides should be used to correct a problem from a specific pest that is present in economically damaging numbers. The information in this extension publication is intended as a guide for identifying, scouting, and managing small grain insect and mite pests in Oklahoma.