Extension Insect Pest Monitoring: Supporting Integrated Pest Management in Vegetables and Agronomic Crops
Agronomy & Pest Management
Helene Doughty
Associate ANR Extension Agent
Eastville
Abstract
Northampton County ranks 7th in Virginia for overall market value of agricultural products sold for crops and leads the state in vegetable market value. The region produces a wide array of high-value crops, including commercial potatoes, sweet corn, snap beans, tomatoes, as well as soybeans—a top commodity for the area—all of which are highly vulnerable to various insect pests. To support producers, the Northampton County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent conducts extensive pest monitoring efforts. These include pheromone trapping and scouting for lepidopteran moths, slug trapping, and click beetle trapping. These efforts provide critical, timely data on pest presence, pressure, and threshold levels, equipping producers with actionable insights to enhance their integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This presentation will offer an overview of these monitoring initiatives, highlighting methodologies, timing, collaboration efforts, information dissemination, and educational opportunities for IPM adoption.
Authors: Helene Doughty
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Helene Doughty Associate ANR Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension - Northampton , Virginia, 23347