| Azalea plant bug (Rhinocapsus vanduzeei Uhler) fifth instars and commercially-obtained green lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister) first and second instar larvae exhibited a Type II functional response in cage studies with fourth and fifth instar azalea lace bugs, Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott) prey. Attack coefficients were statistically similar for R. vanduzeei and C. rufilabris but handling time was significantly greater for R. vanduzeei. C. rufilabris killed significantly more prey than R. vanduzeei (F = 12.94, df = 408, P = 0.0004), 8.0 and 6.0 in 24 hours, respectively, and is the more suitable candidate for augmentative release for azalea lace bug control. R. vanduzeei can effect reductions in azalea lace bug populations and should be conserved.; An Integrated Pest Management Pilot Program for landscape plants was implemented on commercial, residential, and institutional properties managed by landscape professionals. It was cost-effective at one of the five sites in 1997 and cost effective at a second site (Site 2) in 1998 when the cooperator discontinued calendar-based cover sprays performed in 1997. Pesticide volume decreased a mean of 86.3% on the four sites not receiving cover sprays and increased 2.3% at Site 2 in 1997. In 1998, pesticide volume was reduced an average of 85.3% at all five sites compared to pre-program levels. The majority of insect pest problems were corrected using spot sprays of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil or by pruning. The most prevalent pests encountered were mites, aphids, lace bugs, scales, whitefly, and Japanese beetle.; Beneficial arthropods were studied on eight sites. A generalist predator complex exists with spiders and green lacewings as the most numerous taxa. Both were found on all plant taxa sampled. Spiders were the most abundant natural enemy on azalea at six of the seven sites with azaleas. Spiders were the most abundant predators on boxwood at all sites and on junipers on three of the four sites with junipers. Green lacewings comprised a large percentage of the natural enemies on tree foliage. In a study designed to determine the impact of frequent, calendar-based pesticide treatments in miniature landscapes, spiders, sminthurids, parasitic hymenoptera, and cicadellids were adversely affected. |
