Beetle Banks - helping nature to control pests.

Abstract

Integrated Crop Management (ICM) is a recent phrase which has been appearing in agricultural research and conservation ecology. It means a system which involves the use of several management methods to control pests or manage crops rather than reliance purely on one method such as chemical control. Indeed, two articles describing integrated management appeared in one recent issue of Pesticide Outlook (April 1995). Many national pesticide trade associations, including the British Agrochemicals Association, and whole farm demonstration initiatives such as the LEAF farms (Linking Environment and Farming) have embraced the philosophies of ICM. Research and development effort for chemical control has in recent years come to the fore and attracted most financial resources, but if efforts were to be focused on control by natural enemies what research is available for consideration by farmers? One such technique available could be the creation of Beetle Banks. The aim of this review is to describe some of the research on habitat management and creation under way in the UK and elsewhere and to assess the wider implications of such techniques to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the conservation of farmland wildlife.