Entomology Program
Dr.
James Price, PhD
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Florida First Major Program Initiative: Plant, Animal, and Human Protection from Pests.
James F. Price, Strawberry Entomology
The strawberry entomology research program emphasizes the integrated management of arthropod pests of strawberry. Research emphasizes the development of chemical, biological tools for management, but contributes to the development of physical and cultural tools also. In the arena of chemical tools, the program seeks to develop effective, environmentally benign, chemicals that are safe for farm workers and consumers and posses a narrow spectrum of activity to replace old, hazardous chemicals such as the organo-phosphorus and carbamate classes. For instance, the program has provided research to develop spinosad, a biologically derived insecticide to replace the uses of methomyl for lepidopterous larval control in ornamentals and strawberry.
In the arena of biological tools, the program is developing the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis, for use in strawberry to control the twospotted spider mite, a major pest of strawberry and ornamentals. One quarter of Florida strawberry acreage in Florida in 2000-2001 was grown using the biological control approach developed through this program. The successes have provided a high level of control and reduced growers’ dependence on synthetic pesticides.