Insect economic levels in relation to crop production

Abstract

Levels of economic insect damage and their effects on crop production are the most often-discussed issue in insect management today. The economic injury level (EIL) concept is the base for decision-making in most integrated pest management (IPM) programs. IPM programs are fundamentally different from control approaches that handle insect problems by focusing on tolerating insect effects. EIL is essential for IPM programs as it indicates which levels of insect populations can be tolerated and which cannot. By increasing our ability to tolerate insects, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the need for management tactics. Scientists can maintain environmental quality through better decisions on the use of those tactics. EILs help maintain environmental quality by reducing unnecessary use of management tactics, especially insecticides. However, including environmental considerations explicitly in the decision-making process could greatly improve the ability of IPM to sustain environmental quality. The EIL components include economic damage, economic thresholds, and the EIL itself. Increased availability of calculated EILs and their related economic thresholds would reduce unnecessary use of management tactics. An environmental EIL evaluates a management tactic based not only on its direct costs and benefits to the user but also on its effects on the environment. There are many factors that can reduce crop yield. One important cause is insects. Insects that cause loss to the fruits are frequently more destructive than those that damage leaves, stems and roots. For example, cotton is infested by Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saund.), Helicoverpa armigera (Hün.) and Earias insulana (Boisd.) cause the greatest yield losses. The amount of yield loss is dependent upon a number of factors, i.e., plant variety, soil fertility, insect population and skill in handling crop production, etc. Comparatively tolerant varieties, even at the cost of slightly less yield potential, will be more suitable under such conditions.

Keywords:

• economic injury level
• economic insect levels
• economic thresholds
• yield losses

Acknowledgements

I owe thanks to the reviewer of this review article (Prof. Ahmed Sallam) who contributed to the improvement of the manuscript. However, I take sole responsibility for any errors, and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the reviewers.