Insects - Publications And Resources

Insect Publications and Other Resources

Insect Publications

Jan 2025

Keys to Effective Aphid Management in Leafy Vegetables (2025)

Publication (PDF, 180kb)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

For vegetable growers to successfully compete in the fresh market, they must be able to produce high quality, insect-free crops. This is particularly challenging for growers of leafy vegetables where damage by aphids can seriously reduce yield and quality. In many areas that produce lettuce, aphids are considered the most economically important insect pest found on the crop
May 2024

Weed Interference with Insect Management in Desert Crops (2024)

Publication (PDF, 757KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

Effective weed management is critical for the profitable production of vegetable crops in the desert southwest for all the obvious reasons. However, weed management is also essential for another important, but often overlooked, reason. Several common weed species found in and around vegetable crops can serve as host plants to many insect pests that can later infest nearby crops. Additionally, when weeds are not controlled in the field, they can be an impediment to effective insect control.
Jun 2020

Ten Years of Bagrada Bug on Desert Cole Crops

Publication (PDF, 618Kb)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

The bagrada bug, Bagrada hilaris, became a major pest of cole crops in the fall of 2010 where widespread out breaks of the invasive stinkbug pest were reported throughout the desert SW. The resulting yield losses in broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and other Brassica crops were economically significant.
Nov 2019

Weather Influences Desert Insect Pests

Publication (PDF, 179KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

Local weather patterns can have a significant impact on the abundance of insect pests in vegetable crops, particularly in the southwestern U.S. where weather extremes are the norm. Components of weather, mainly temperature, moisture, and wind can either promote insect population growth or cause populations to decline. As we approach the normal cool, dry weather of winter, growers can expect insect activity to decrease. Why is that?
Sep 2019

2019 Guidelines for Diamondback Moth Management in Desert Cole Crops

Publication (PDF, 572KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

List of Guidelines prepared in response to the diamondback moth (DBM) outbreaks that occurred in 2016-17 in Arizona. Following these guidelines can help keep the moths from spreading. There is also a list of insecticides and their respective efficacy against DBM.
Sep 2019

Bagrada Bug Management Tips - 2019

Publication (PDF, 467KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

Contains information on how to manage the Bagrada bug. Includes: where they tend to hide, how to scout them out, what their feeding signs look like, and tips regarding chemical control.
Sep 2019

Diamondback Moth on Desert Cole Crops: Survey Results from 2016-2018

Publication (PDF, 597KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

In 2016 there was a outbreak of Diamondback Moths. This article covers a bit of the history of that outbreak and how the were handled in the next two years. The event was partially documented by some surveys found in this article.
Aug 2019

Insect Management on Desert Produce and Melons: Pests at Stand Establishment 2019

Publication (PDF, 784KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

There are many insects that can be found on Desert Produce and Melons. This Article covers the description, damage, and Management/Control of the following insects: Flea Beetles, Darkling Beetles, Field crickets, Saltmarsh Caterpillar, Ground Beetles, and Rove Beetles.
Jul 2019

2019 Guidelines for Whitefly / CYSDV Management on Fall Melons

Publication (PDF, 764KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

CYSDV has caused significant reductions in fruit yields in the past, mainly due to the whitefly. This article gives some management guidelines for the whitefly including cultural management and chemical management.
Jul 2019

Cultural Practices for Whitefly Management in Desert Melons 2019

Publication (PDF, 71KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article outlines some ways to manage the Whitefly (SWF) population. Even though there are naturally occurring factors that lie outside the realm of control, there is still many things one can do to help reduce the population and risk of the Whitefly.
Jun 2019

Insecticide Usage on Desert Lettuce, 2018-2019

Publication (PDF, 512KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

A total of 28 surveys were completed of insecticide usage on desert lettuce, representing an estimated total of 33,275 fall acres and 35,156 spring lettuce acres from Yuma and neighboring Imperial Counties (Holtville/Brawley/BardWinterhaven).
Jun 2019

Insect Losses and Management on Desert Lettuce: A 15-Year Summary

Publication (PDF, 799.9KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article details the results of a survey aimed at assessing what kind of yield losses are suffered on lettuce due to insect pests. It contains data spanning over fifteen years (2005-2019).
Jun 2019

Biology and Management of Thrips

Publication (PDF, 2.9MB)

Authors: Shimat V. Joseph, Kris Braman, Will Hudson, and Shakunthala Nair

Thrips are tiny, cigar-shaped insects belonging to the order Thysanoptera, whose name refers to the fringed wings of insects in this order. About 5000 species of thrips are known, and many cause damage to cultivated plants by feeding or vectoring plant diseases. Some thrips are predatory. This document relays information about thrips.
May 2019

Nine Years of Bagrada Bug on Desert Cole Crops

Publication (PDF, 531KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

The bagrada bug, became a major pest of cole crops in the fall of 2010. The following contains the summaries surveys performed on an annual basis since 2010, aiming to estimate the severity of bagrada bug on direct-seeded and transplanted cole crops, and the intensity of chemical management required to control it.
May 2019

Weed Interference with Insect Management in Desert Crops

Publication (PDF, 844KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

Effective weed management is critical for the profitable production of vegetable crops in the desert southwest for all the obvious reasons. However, weed management is also essential for another important, but often overlooked, reason.
May 2019

Spider Mites in Melons 2019

Publication (PDF, 146KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

Twospotted spider mites, are widespread on melon crops throughout the southwestern U.S. This report describes their appearance, the type of damage they usually cause, and methods of management.
May 2019

Blister Beetles in Food?

Publication (PDF, 7 MB)

Authors: W. Eugene Hall, Lydia M. Brown, Naomi Pier, and Peter C. Ellsworth

Blister beetles produce a toxic compound called cantharidin, which can be lethal to horses and unpleasant to humans and other animals. This publication provides guidelines to help growers avoid blister beetle contamination.
May 2019

Blister Beetle Basics

Publication (PDF, 4.71MB)

Authors: W. Eugene Hall, Naomi Pier, and Peter C. Ellsworth

A guide to recognizing Arizona’s diverse blister beetles and how to distinguish them from other similar beetle species.
Apr 2019

Insect Management on Desert Melons: Whiteflies 2019

Publication (PDF, 830KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article describes the sweetpotato whitefly (SWF) in great depth and their relation to Desert Melons. It includes it's history of development and damages it has caused. The article also describes the management of SWF, including sampling/monitoring, natural/biological control, cultural practices, and insecticidal control.
Apr 2019

Whitefly Management in Spring Melons - 2019

Publication (PDF, 185KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

A chart detailing various insecticides and the efficacy against Whiteflies. Each insecticide is rated at Good, Fair, and Poor, and is shown for both the Adult and Nymph stage. There is also a brief note for each of the insecticides.

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Insect Presentations

Jul 2021

Tips on How to Manage Lygus Efficiently in ThryvOn Cotton

Presentation (PDF, 6.9MB)

Authors: Peter C. Ellsworth, Isadora Bordini, Naomi Pier

Location Presented: Rayner Farm
Aug 2020

Making the Right Decisions with Predator Thresholds for Whitefly Management in Cotton

Presentation (PDF 1.1MB)

Authors: Peter C. Ellsworth, Naomi Pier, Isadora Bordini, Steven E. Naranjo

Location Presented: Virtual Tent Talk
Jul 2020

Latest Arizona Research on ThryvOn Cotton Trait Technology

Presentation (PDF, 5.4MB)

Authors: Peter C. Ellsworth, Steve Naranjo, Isadora Bordini, Naomi Pier

Location Presented: Desert Ag Virtual Conference
Jun 2020

Push-Pull-Control: Securing Guayule's Future

Presentation (PDF, 4.6MB)

Authors: Peter C. Ellsworth, Naomi Pier, & Isadora Bordini

Location Presented: 7th Annual New Technologies Workshop for Field Crops
Jan 2020

Biocontrol Informed Thresholds, Insecticide Selectivity, and Risk Reduction in Whitefly Management

Presentation (PDF, 14.9MB)

Authors: Isadora Bordini, Naomi Pier, Peter C. Ellsworth

Location Presented: 2020 January Field Crops Clinics
Oct 2019

Alfalfa Production: Getting a Good Start

Presentation (PDF, 4.8MB)

Authors: Mike Ottman

Location Presented: Parker and Blythe
Aug 2019

Blister Beetles – A Challenge for Arizona’s Growers

Presentation (PDF, 781KB)

Authors: W. Eugene Hall, Peter C. Ellsworth, Leif Abrell, Naomi Pier, Duarte Diaz

Location Presented: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Conference, Tucson, AZ August 2019
May 2018

New Research & Trends in Cotton Insect Control

Presentation (PDF, 8.00Mb)

Authors: Ellsworth P.C.

Location Presented: Poster presented at the Desert Agriculture Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
Mar 2018

Adoption of proactive resistance management practices to control Bemisia tabaci in Arizona and California

Presentation (PDF, 388KB)

Authors: Pier, N., A. Fournier, J. Palumbo, Y. Carrière, W. Dixon, L. Brown, S. J. Castle, N. Prabhaker, P.C. Ellsworth

Location Presented: Poster presented at the 9th International IPM Symposium. Baltimore, Maryland
Feb 2018

Protection of the Pesticide Applicator

Presentation (PDF, 311 KB)

Authors: Wierda, M.

Location Presented: Presented at Willcox Community Center, AZ.
Feb 2018

Protection of the Pesticide Applicator w/ a Contamination Demonstration

Presentation (PDF, 311KB)

Authors: Wierda, M.

Location Presented: Presented at Willcox Community Center, AZ.
Jun 2017

Implementing IPM in Cotton in Arizona & Mexico

Presentation (PDF, 1.904MB)

Authors: Ellsworth, P. and Naranjo, S.

Location Presented: Presented at the 14th International Symposium on the Biosafety of GMOs, Guadalajara, Mexico
Apr 2017

Section 18 Emergency Exemptions & Transform Use in Cotton

Presentation (PDF, 2.972MB)

Authors: Ellsworth, P.

Location Presented: Presented at the Desert Agriculture Conference, Chandler, AZ.
Nov 2016

Fulfilling Our Mission

Presentation (PDF, 4.84MB)

Authors: Peter C. Ellsworth

Location Presented: Campus Administrative Team In-Service, Maricopa Ag Center
Sep 2016

Chronicling Successful Integration of Technology and Knowledge over 25 Years of IPM in Arizona

Presentation (PDF, 942KB)

Authors: Ellsworth, P., A. Fournier, J. Palumbo, S. Naranjo, G. Frisvold.

Location Presented: Presented at the International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL.
Jun 2016

Measuring Biological Control for Whitefly Management in Cotton

Presentation (PDF, 695KB)

Authors: Vandervoet T., P. Ellsworth, S. Naranjo, Y. Carrière.

Location Presented: Presented at New Technology Workshop, Maricopa, AZ.
Feb 2016

The Arizona Whitefly IPM Model: Cooperative Extension as Key to Translating and Transforming the Mexican Cotton System

Presentation (PDF, 1809KB)

Authors: Ellsworth, P., A. Fournier, T. Vandervoet, S. Naranjo.

Location Presented: Presented at the 2nd International Whitefly Symposium, Arusha, Tanzania.
May 2015

Toretto Fit in Cotton IPM Programs

Presentation (PDF, 2.18MB)

Authors: Peter C. Ellsworth

Location Presented: Mexicali, Mexico
Apr 2015

Status of Insect Pests on Lettuce in Arizona: Economic Impacts and Management

Presentation (PDF, 777KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo
Nov 2014

IPM trends and data: Two decades of pesticide use and risk

Presentation (PDF, 5.8MB)

Authors: Michael Guzy, Peter Ellsworth, Al Fournier, Wayne Dixon, Paul Jepson, John Palumbo, Wade Pronchinske

Location Presented: Entomology 2014: ESA 62nd Annual Meeting, Portland Oregon

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