The Effect of Landscape-level Pesticide Applications on California Citrus Growers' Decisions for California Red Scale Management
Grogan, Kelly A. and Rachael E. Goodhue
from ARE Update Vol. 15, No. 1, Sep/Oct, 2011
Abstract
The mobility of many pests potentially allows nearby growers to affect each other through their pest management decisions. Using data from a 2010 survey of California citrus growers, we explore growers' use of a specific beneficial insect, Aphytis melinus, which parasitizes California red scale, a major citrus pest. The extent of growers' reliance on A. melinus and whether or not they choose to make augmentative releases varies with their production region and other characteristics. We also analyze how landscape-level pesticide use affects growers' decisions regarding whether or not to apply an insecticide to control California red scale. In some cases, pesticides applied on non-citrus increase the probability of an insecticide treatment for California red scale control on citrus fields.
Keywords
biological control, California red scale, Aphytis melinus, pest management, citrus pests
Citation
Grogan, Kelly A. and Rachael E. Goodhue. 2011. "The Effect of Landscape-level Pesticide Applications on California Citrus Growers' Decisions for California Red Scale Management." ARE Update 15(1): 1-4. University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics.
https://giannini.ucop.edu/filer/file/1453327760/16871/