ABSTRACT
Computers can play a major role in developing models to describe the various components of a pest management system. When constructing computer-based models to simulate a complex pest management system, often areas of weakness, due to lack of information or understanding, are discovered. Microcomputer used for pest management must include several of the components before it can be used to process, store, display, or print information. On-line pest management systems to a large extent overcome some of the limitations associated with the past methods of managing pest control decisions where large information processing limited the integration of various control strategies or limited the incorporation of complex dynamics of the pest and its environment. Field observers have to learn to use many types of resources to help them identify pests, make accurate observations on pest biology, utilize consistent methods for sampling pest abundance and damage, and recommend strategies for managing pests for a particular pest-host situation.
