ABSTRACT
Some greenhouses have sophisticated environmental control computers that regulate many facets of greenhouse operations, including environmental factors such as temperature, light, and humidification. Shipp et al. stated that manipulating the greenhouse environment, including temperature, is perhaps the most underutilized tactic in greenhouse crop pest management. Temperatures are controlled as much as possible to be favorable for plant growth. In most cases these temperatures are also favorable for insect and mite development. One of the most promising areas for the use of temperatures as part of an integrated pest management program for greenhouse ornamentals is in the area of post-harvest disinfestation. Some beneficial insects and mites enter diapause during short days in temperate latitudes. Temperature manipulation can be used to help prevent this in some cases, although possibly at too high a cost. Differences in day and night temperatures may have implications for biological or chemical control.
