Signalling of Agrophages Platform

Plant pest reporting and monitoring methods

Regular plant pest monitoring is a vital part of integrated pest management. This basic activity is aimed at identifying any risks to crops posed by pests with a view to determining the phytosanitary status of crops. Plant pest monitoring helps determine the current phytosanitary status of crops for the purpose of selecting the best date to apply a protective treatment and issuing treatment alerts. By making adequate use of observational data on the emergence and rise in pest populations, it is possible to develop pest control strategies, minimize potential damage, and prevent the excessive and often unnecessary use of chemicals, as required under the Integrated Pest Management Directive.

Plant pest monitoring and reporting methods include the following sections:
1. Taxonomy
2. Pest description and biology
3. Images of damage
4. Influence of environmental factors on pest development
5. Protective treatment alerts:
a) timing of control measures and extent of economic damage,
b) methods for best timing of chemical control treatments.
6. Methods for assessing pest damage