Goals and Learning Objectives

Learn some benefits of insects, some characteristics of insect and weed pests, some challenges associated with insect and weed pest control, and how trophic interactions can contribute to insect pest control
Learn what IPM is and how to apply the economic threshold concept to interpret if a pest population has reached an economic threshold
Learn some transgenic pest management technologies and their impact
Understand how few pest control tactics can select for pest resistance while integrated pest and weed management can contribute to long-term successful weed and pest management

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe characteristics of insect pests and factors that make them successful pests, as well as beneficial characteristics of insects.
Explain some history of agricultural pesticides.
Describe factors that contribute to pests evolving resistance to pest control strategies.
Discuss what IPM is and why it is effective.
Interpret how to apply pest scouting data and distinguish if pests have reached an economic threshold.
Analyze pest management scenarios and describe the agroecosystem benefits of IPM.
Describe and compare the characteristics of natural ecosystems and agroecosystems, and explain how trophic level interactions and biodiversity may contribute to pest control.
Describe characteristics of weed pests and factors that make them successful pests.
Describe categories of weed management tactics with examples of weed control practices.
Explain what organisms and factors contribute to crop diseases.
Explain some recent transgenic pest management technologies and analyze and interpret scientific data about transgenic technologies.
Differentiate pest control approaches that are likely to be effective in the long term based on IPM principles, and generate or formulate IPM approaches to enhance pest control.