Evidence based pest management: Challenges and perspectives

The rational use of pest management tactics with in IPM is one of the most challenging tasks particularly when attempting practical implementation of novel approaches. This is the case when implementing evidence-based pest management, where scientific information of critical importance are communicated however adoption and subsequent modification of pest management schemes is exceptionally difficult, resulting in pest control failures and major economic damages.

Hereby we describe the first systematic efforts to implement in actual working conditions, evidence-based management of major pests such as the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae and the tomato pests Bemisia tabaci and Tuta absoluta. Olive fruit fly control scheme was modified for the first time during 2020-21 cropping season. The scope was to change the synthesis of the mode of actions of the insecticides applied in the prefecture of Crete in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the regional authorities in order to achieve the highest level of control. Evaluated IPM approaches were also implemented in experimental greenhouses (Agricultural Scholl of Messara and Hellenic Mediterranean University) targeting the optimum control of the tomato pests. The initial results from both approaches were positive, demonstrating that, under working conditions, evidence-based management schemes are providing high levels of crop protection. The use of conventional insecticides in tomato crops, in particular, was minimal, providing emphasis on IPM approaches. Hereby, an optimistic take home message for the future of guided pest management   is provided, indicating, at the same time, the actions that should be supported in the immediate future.