InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Future of Food > Student Materials > Module 8: Pests and Integrated Pest Management > Module 8.1: Insects and Integrated Pest Management > Understanding Economic Thresholds
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Understanding Economic Thresholds

Read the following two fact sheets for a description of Integrated Pest Management and the terms that Stern and his colleagues defined in 1959, that are still used today (economic injury level, economic threshold, and general equilibrium position). Then watch the following short video and answer the questions below:

  1. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Concept. D. G. Alston. July 2011. IPM 014-11. Utah State University Extension and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory
  2. IPM Pest Management Decision-Making: The Economic-Injury Level Concept (Acrobat (PDF) 440kB Jan3 18). D. G. Alston. July 2011. IPM 016-11. Utah State University Extension and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory

Activate Your Learning: IPM Concept and Decision-Making

Describe three things that are integrated into IPM.

On the IPM figure below, which IPM pest population terms from the article could describe the lines labeled A, B, and C?

How would you describe the damage that the pest had caused to the crop at each of these pest population densities?

Watch the first 4.11 minutes of the below video: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Apple Orchards, that describes European Red Mite pests and predatory mites in Pennsylvania apple orchards.

Video: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Apple Orchards (8.34)

What are the potential benefits of scouting for the European red mites and predatory mites in Pennsylvania orchards?

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »