IPM Assessment - Impacts

Impacts

Protecting Human Health

- West Nile virus can be deadly. Arizona has among the highest incidents of this mosquito-transmitted virus. In 2017, 109 confirmed cases resulted in 8 deaths. A University-County (Phoenix metro area) collaboration prompted control of 8 mosquito populations carrying the virus, reducing disease risk.

- Approximately 100 Arizona residents die yearly due to asthma, and 615,00 are afflicted. Bed bug and Cockroach allergens can trigger asthma attacks. Low-income elderly housing residents are particularly vulnerable. Our community IPM team reduced cockroaches by 87% and bed bugs by 93% in Phoenix public housing for elderly and disabled.

Protecting the Environment

- Our Cotton IPM Team reduced environmental and human health risks by preventing >21M lbs of insecticide active ingredient from reaching the environment.

- Cotton growers reduced broadly toxic insecticides by 92% and all insecticides by 82%. On average, nearly 20% of cotton acres are never sprayed for insect pests.

- 80% of growers and pest managers adopt reduced-risk pest management practices because of timely research and information from our Vegetable IPM Team, with reported increased yields and fewer toxic pesticides used.

Boosting the Economy

- Our Cotton IPM Team has saved growers more than $542M since 1996, based on fewer sprays and improved yields.

- Research on brown stink bug control in cotton showed that not spraying for this insect increased economic returns for growers. After outreach, growers reduced sprays from 39% of acres to 3% of acres, saving over $8M in just 1 year.

- 70% of growers and pest managers reported that outreach from our Vegetable IPM Team helped them avoid economic losses from insects, weeds and diseases. Most growers saved $60-189 / acre on insect managemnet alone, or $480,000-$1.5M in annual savings to the typical grower.

Impact Publications

Mar 2025

U.S. Pesticide Policy is Influenced by Stakeholder Comments Managed by the Western IPM Center

Publication (PDF, 2.2MB)

Authors: Alfred J Fournier, Alexa M Brown, Matt, Baur, Danielle Lightle, Katie Murray, Natalie Hein-Ferris, Marion Murray, Steve Elliot, Wayne Dixon, Petter C. Ellsworth

Comments submitted in response to pesticide registration review issues influence federal pesticide policy. An analysis of 95 comments from the Western U.S. submitted in coordination with the Western IPM Center, including 48 comments from University of Arizona, showed that 92% of comments provided substantive data that informed EPA registration review. In 22% of cases, comments had a direct influence on the outcomes, supporting productive and efficient agriculture while protecting human health and the environment.
Oct 2023

Arizona IPM Outcomes 2023. Report to the WERA 1017 Regional Coordinating Committee

Publication (1.28MB)

Authors: Al Fournier, Dawn Gouge, Shujuan Li, Peter Ellsworth

Recent impacts of APMC IPM Programs. Topics include savings to growers from thrips and Lygus resistant ThryvOn Cotton, a project to reduce use of the riskiest pesticides throughout US cotton, collaborations with tribal growers and communities to protect public health, and more.
Oct 2018

Crop Protection & Pest Management Program Saves Lives, Dollars and the Environment in Arizona

Publication (PDF, 2.5MB)

Authors: Arizona Pest Management Center (APMC)

This piece highlights impacts of University of Arizona Extension IPM programs, funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
May 2018

Impact of Bagrada Bug on Desert Cole Crops: An Eight Year Summary

Publication (PDF, 327KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

The bagrada bug became a major pest of cole crops since 2010. This report consists of information gathered through surveys over eight years and shows what some of the trends are regarding the bagrada bug over that time period.
Jun 2017

Impact of Diamondback Moth Outbreaks on Arizona Cole Crops in 2016‐17

Publication (PDF, 283KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

The diamondback moth is one of the most important pests of cole crops worldwide and annually causes $3-5 billion dollars in economic loses due to direct yield losses and control costs. 2016 Arizona had an outbreak. This article contains the results of surveys that tried to assess how much damage was done.
May 2016

Impact of Bagrada Bug Infestations on Desert Cole Crops, 2010-2015

Publication (PDF, 282KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

The bagrada bug became a major pest of cole crops since 2010. This report consists of information gathered through surveys over five years and shows what some of the trends are regarding the bagrada bug over that time period.
Nov 2015

Impact of Planting Date on Aphid Infestations and Contamination in Head Lettuce

Publication (PDF, 382KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

A five year study was conducted with the goal of identifying planting windows during the season when lettuce is at risk from aphid infestations. The studies indicate that planting date and temperature likely have a strong influence on seasonal abundance of aphids.
May 2015

Impact of Bagrada Bug Infestations on Fall Cole Crops, 2010-2014

Publication (PDF, 260KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

The bagrada bug became a major pest of cole crops since 2010. This report consists of information gathered through surveys over four years and shows what some of the trends are regarding the bagrada bug over that time period.
Jun 2014

Impact of Bagrada Bug Infestations on Desert Cole Crops, 2010-2013

Publication (PDF, 224KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

The bagrada bug became a major pest of cole crops since 2010. This report consists of information gathered through surveys over five years and shows what some of the trends are regarding the bagrada bug over that time period.
Apr 2014

Research-Based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs Impact People, Communities and the Economy of Arizona

Publication (PDF, 2.17MB)

Pests in homes, schools, parks, landscapes and other community settings threaten human health and impact local economies. This document outlines some of the impacts that research based Integrated Pest Management programs have made on Arizona.
May 2013

Impact of the Bagrada Bug on Desert Cole Crops from 2010 - 2012: A Survey of PCA and Growers

Publication (PDF, 196KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

The bagrada bug became a major pest of cole crops since 2010. This report consists of information gathered through surveys over two years and shows what some of the trends are regarding the bagrada bug over that time period.
Jan 2013

Cotton IPM: A Quiet Revolution Reduces Costs, Losses and Risks for Arizona’s Cotton Growers

Publication (PDF, 88KB)

New technologies have enabled cotton growers to reduce their spray applications significantly while achieving among highest cotton yields worldwide. Arizona now produces the highest yielding cotton in the world, well over 1,500 pounds of fiber per acre, far exceeding the U.S. national average of about 750 pounds per acre. These technologies also help growers implement more ecologically based, sustainable IPM programs and become less dependent on broadly toxic insecticides.
Nov 2012

Research-Based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs that Impact People, Communities, State and National Economies

Publication (PDF, 668KB)

Pests in homes, schools, parks, landscapes and other community settings threaten human health and impact local and national economies. This document outlines some of the impacts that Integrated Pest management Programs have had on Arizona.
Mar 2012

Enhancing Capacity for IPM Practice and Assessment in Arizona

Publication (PDF, 1.6MB)

Authors: P.C. Ellsworth, A. Fournier, W. Dixon, J.C. Palumbo, D.H. Gouge, K. Umeda and J. Peterson

Measuring and communicating environmental, economic and social impacts of IPM are key to recruiting and leveraging support for our IPM programs, and to maximizing future impacts. This document outlines IPM practices and assessment in Arizona.
May 2011

Impact of the Bagrada Bug on Desert Cole Crops: A Survey of PCA/Growers in 2010 and 2011

Publication (PDF, 189KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

The Bagrada bug became a major pest of cole crops in 2010. This report contains two years worth of surveys from PCA/growers and illustrates a few of the differences present between 2010 and 2011.
May 2007

Integrated Pest Management Protecting Arizonaʼs Environment, Human Health and Economic Vitality

Publication (PDF, 6.2MB)

Arizona’s unique and sensitive environment requires not only protection from the ravages of pests but also from risks due to practices designed to control them. This article explains a few ways that Integrated Pest Management help improve our interactions with environment.

Protecting Human Health

Protecting the Environment

Boosting the Economy

ARIZONA PEST MANAGEMENT CENTER