This section is focused on the predators and parasitoids of key crop pests.

Pest species are part of the wider ecology of farmland and are exposed to a wide range of predators and parasitoids. These predators and parasitoids are collectively known as "Natural Enemies". Some will attack a wide range of pest species and others can be species specific. 

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Integrated Pest Management highlights the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms. IPM is one of the tools for low-pesticide-input pest management, and IPM must now be implemented by all professional agchem users.

Crop protection refers to practices and measures employed in agriculture to safeguard crops from both biotic (pests, diseases and weeds) and abiotic (environmental factors) stresses. They key goal of crop production is to maintain crop productivity, health and quality whilst minimising yield losses.

A new Field Lab from Innovative Farmers investigating how farmers can better harness the power of flowers to fight pests.

Invertebrate pests cause problems in agriculture when the level of injury they cause reaches a point where the crop yield is significantly reduced.   

Strategic BBSRC & NERC programme with CEH & Rothamsted  - Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Systems,

Warwick Crop Centre is a national centre of excellence for research on fresh produce. We provide post-graduate training and specialise in research projects promoting sustainable agriculture, horticulture and food security.

Natural enemies, such as parasitoid species, are an important element in managing crop pests.

Using the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri can be a successful biological control solution for these sucking pests.

The encyclopaedia provides at-a-glance information on the pests and natural enemies associated with cropping systems.

Agroforestry systems, where productive trees are integrated into agricultural land, can deliver benefits to biodiversity, natural pest control, and pollination.

The introduction of natural enemies (biological controls) has become a common method for dealing with certain pests.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic whole-farm approach to help mitigate the likelihood of pest, weed and disease pressure in a farming system. (Agricology)

 ‘Management to Promote Flowering Understoreys Benefits Natural Enemy Diversity, Aphid Suppression and Income in an Agroforestry System,’

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