There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the simplification of land uses associated with a strong dependence on agrochemical inputs is decreasing environmental quality, threatening biodiversity, and increasing the likelihood of pest outbreaks. The development of farming systems with greater reliance on ecosystem services, such as biological control of insect pests, should increase th...

The goal of this paper is to highlight important benefits and limitations of ubiquitous technology-based approaches to pest control that are often utilized outside the framework of integrated pest management (IPM). Particularly in Pennsylvania and other states on the fringe of the Cornbelt, where pest pressures can be lower or different than in large portions of the Midwest, farmers and pest ma...

A series of bioassays were conducted to determine the relative toxicities and residual activities of insecticides labeled for use in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) on natural enemies, to identify products with low toxicity or short duration effects on biological control agents. In total, 14 insecticides were evaluated using treated petri dishes and four commercially available natural enemi...