Ecological Theory and Integrated Pest Management Practice (Environmental Science and Technology: A Wiley-Interscience Series of Texts and Monographs)

Presents and develops ecological theory as a foundation for integrated pest management practices, with the aim of improving those practices. Unlike how-to books for dealing with a limited group of pests, this book presents the information and models a pest manager needs to work from to develop a strategy for controlling any group of pests. Focuses on the theoretical background of the major pest control tactics: host-plant resistance, biological control, microbial control, cultural control, and chemical control. Discusses ecological concepts related to arthropod-borne plant diseases and their control, looks at the economic dimension of agroecology, and compares and contrasts natural and agricultural ecosystems.