2017 Spray Bulletin for Commercial Tree Fruit Growers. Va. Coop. Ext. Serv. Publ. 456-419

Integrated pest management (IPM) is the approach emphasized in this guide; some aspects of IPM are incorporated throughout, although this guide mainly deals with the chemical component of IPM. IPM combines biological control from predators with selective chemical application for maintaining pest populations below economic threshold levels. This approach requires that growers give careful consideration to the selection, application rate and timing of chemical sprays. The degree of integration achieved will vary according to the management ability, training and objectives of the orchardist. Inadequate monitoring or implementation of IPM practices will lead to unsatisfactory results. In order to encourage the biological control components of the program, growers must consider the toxicity of chemicals to predators (Table 9, page 59) in addition to their efficacy against fruit pests (Tables 7 and 8, pages 56-58).