ABSTRACT
Citrus pests may rise through invasions into neu areas, ecological changes or socio-economic changes, Modern chemical pesticides are effective in controlling citrus pests, but their use involves serious problems of cost, resistance and toxicity. Biological control has been highly successful in citriculture, but is not always feasible. Integrated pest management (IPM) provides a reasonable compromise, taking into account both the desirability of biological control and the need for some form of chemical control. Effective IPM may be achieved through a vigorous program of applied biological control, in combination with judicious use of relatively selective pesticides, only when absolutely necessary and in the least disruptive modes of application. Other selective tactics — cultural, autocidal, physical, mechanical — should be incorporated in the program whenever applicable. Effective implementation of IPM requires the establishment of reliable action thresholds and monitoring systems for all the actual and potential pests in the citrus ecosystem. Special emphasis should be placed on integrative techniques, such as the development of pesticide-resistant natural enemies. Effective extension services, backed up by supervised control systems, are essential for the success of IPM. Finally, efforts should be made to re-educate consumers and change the marketing standards for citrus fruit.
