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Quantitative and qualitative analysis of accidental insect pest introduction into Switzerland and its implications for plant protection 1
Author(s) -
FREY J. E.,
MANI E.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
eppo bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.327
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1365-2338
pISSN - 0250-8052
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2338.1992.tb00510.x
Subject(s) - pest analysis , pesticide , integrated pest management , pest control , agriculture , insect pest , population , toxicology , ornamental plant , infestation , biology , pesticide application , agroforestry , agronomy , ecology , horticulture , environmental health , medicine
The purpose of this study is to assess the characteristics of accidental introduction of pest organisms into Switzerland by means of international plant trade, and to discuss its consequences for the development of plant protection strategies. We found substantial levels of infestation in samples of all producing countries included in the study. Since the use of synthetic pesticides is the main basis of pest control in the ornamental industry, the results of this study indicate that chemical pest control has reached a limit above which no further reduction of pest population levels is possible. The increased pesticide tolerance of many arthropod pests is mainly due to increased levels of resistance to pesticides caused by their excessive use. Therefore, alternative methods supplementing pesticide use are required to develop an optimal pest management strategy for the future. It is proposed that, in the Swiss ornamental production industry, pest monitoring should be the first step in this direction.