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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Cucurbits
Biological Control
(Reviewed 12/09,
updated 12/09)
In this Guideline:
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Cucurbits are relatively fast-growing, annual crops;
consequently, beneficial insects and mites may not have adequate time to
develop high populations in the early stages of crop development. If natural
enemies are to provide control in cucurbits, they must either come from
adjacent crops (alfalfa, orchards, etc.), noncultivated areas, or be released
throughout the cucurbit field. Be aware, however, that control by natural
enemies is not always adequate to prevent economic losses and it may be
difficult to establish populations of introduced beneficials. For example, if
lady beetles are released, they generally fly away before significant feeding
occurs, but naturally occurring populations can sometimes effectively control
insects such as aphids.
UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cucurbits
UC ANR Publication 3445
General Information
E. T. Natwick, UC Cooperative Extension, Imperial County
J. J. Stapleton, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultultural Center, Parlier
C. S. Stoddard, UC Cooperative Extension, Merced & Madera counties
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insects and Mites:
R. L. Coviello, UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno County
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis
C. B. Fouche, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
C. G. Summers, Entomology, UC Davis/Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. B. LeBoeuf, AgriData Sensing, Inc., Fresno
M. Murray, UC Cooperative Extension, Colusa/Glenn counties
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