Date – 14 April 2021
Time – 3:00 pm
Wednesday 14th April 2021 3.00pm (Zoom webinar)
Dr Sam Jones
Technical Director – International Pheromone Systems
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly and ecologically sensitive approach to managing insect pests, diseases and weeds which utilises a combination of different strategies and practices. The ultimate aim is to control pests as and when required without the need for blanket application of hazardous pesticides. Despite being initially developed for intensive arable and horticultural systems, the principles of IPM can be easily applied to smaller scale vegetable plots and gardens.
Trapping systems using pheromones and other semiochemicals (Semiochemicals are marker or signal chemicals transmitting information between organisms) are used to monitor and manage insect pests, which is an integral part of any successful IPM plan. The importance of pest monitoring was identified by one of Britain’s most eminent entomologists and ecologists, the late Sir Richard Southwood FRS, who succinctly stated that Monitoring is the cornerstone of IPM. It is therefore important to understand how pheromone lures can be successfully implemented into a pest management plan whether you are a commercial horticulturist or a humble gardener.
The aim of this short webinar will be to introduce you to semiochemicals (including pheromones) and to highlight the important role that they play in an effective Integrated Pest Management plan. This will involve looking at the types of semiochemicals used by insects, how they function and how they can be implemented into both larger scale horticultural systems and smaller traditional garden settings. Sam will discuss a variety of insect pests and the appropriate systems used to manage each of these, which will hopefully be of interest to horticulturists, vegetable growers and home gardeners.
Sam will also introduce the principles of IPM and how this can be practiced in smaller scale settings.
About Dr Sam Jones
Sam is an entomologist with a keen interest in insect taxonomy, chemical ecology and behaviour. His academic achievements include a PhD in Chemical Ecology from the University of Sussex, a Masters in Entomology from Imperial College and Undergraduate degrees in Zoology and Chemistry from the Universities of Leeds and Leicester, respectively.
His role at International Pheromone Systems enables me to utilize his knowledge of chemistry and insect behaviour to develop new and improved products for the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) market. Much of his work involves collaboration with commercial partners and Research Institutes to develop novel solutions for the IPM market and resolve emerging pest issues.
Passionate about wildlife and its conservation; in his spare time Sam works within a team surveying insect diversity at protected sites and reserves and is currently adapting his large garden to maximize the variety of plant and animal species that inhabit the space.
Registration for this event has now closed.