2.3 Perennial field production

Monitoring is a critical component of a successful IPM program [2]. Scouting is

Action thresholds are needed to determine when a treatment is warranted [2]. An action threshold is the point where the cost of control is less than the economic damage that will result if the pest is left untreated. These vary depending on the pest, region, production system, etc. Numbers of natural enemies present in the field or greenhouse should also be considered when deciding if a treatment action is necessary. The action threshold for releasing biological control agents, such as predatory mites, will be different than the action threshold for an insecticide or

Strawberries can be produced in the open field and in greenhouse settings. In the United States, there are two major field production systems for strawberry production [3]. In warmer, southern areas, such as Florida and southern California, strawberries are grown as an annual crop on raised beds covered with plastic mulch. The production season is lengthy (October through March in Florida with berries harvested December through March). In contrast, strawberries are grown as a perennial crop in northern areas of the United States. Matted rows are used and the harvest season is short, occurring during the summer months. Recently, researchers and growers have been experimenting with using high and low tunnel systems. These systems use tunnels to extend the growing season in colder areas. The pest complex in each system (tunnel, greenhouse and field) overlaps but is usually

This chapter will discuss the pest complex of each production system. Descriptions of pests, the injury they cause, and management strategies will be presented. Management strategies will include monitoring methods, action thresholds, and

2. Pest complexes of strawberry production systems in the United States

A well-constructed and maintained greenhouse can prevent larger insects, like moths, from accessing the plants inside. For this reason, the major pests of greenhouse grown strawberries are the twospotted spider mite, aphids, whiteflies, and thrips. Other strawberry pests can, however, be introduced into the greenhouse on

Key pests in annual strawberry production throughout its range include the twospotted spider mite and spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura. Other potential pests include cyclamen mites, aphids, whiteflies, spittlebugs, flower thrips, chili thrips, armyworms and related Noctuid caterpillars, strawberry leafrollers, tarnished plant bugs, strawberry seed bugs, and sap beetles.

the most common monitoring technique used in strawberry production in the United States [3]. Scouting involves examining a sample of strawberry plants from the field or greenhouse for the presence and abundance of pest mites and insects. A sampling plan should be designed to get a good representation of what is happening in the field or greenhouse. There are also monitoring traps available for certain pest insects. Yellow sticky traps, for example, are often used to monitor for aphids and whiteflies in field and greenhouse situations. The information gained from monitoring is used to determine if a treatment action, such as an insecticide application,

Strawberry - Pre- and Post-Harvest Management Techniques for Higher Fruit Quality

is warranted.

miticide application.

different.

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treatment options.

2.1 Greenhouse production

infested transplants and equipment.

2.2 Annual field production

The two key pests (twospotted spider mite and spotted wing drosophila) in annual strawberry production are also key pests in perennial production systems. There are also several beetles that can be major pests in perennial strawberries, which are not present in annual systems. Other potential pests, in addition to those listed under annual field production, include potato leafhoppers and cutworms.

#### 2.4 High and low tunnel systems

The pest complex in a high or low tunnel system will be similar to the pest complex in field grown strawberries in the same region. The warmer temperatures in the tunnels may lead to increased pest outbreaks in tunnels compared with field strawberries.
