Biodegradable Insecticides
Their Application in Forestry
Carl E. Crisp
7.1. INTRODUCTION
7
The demand for greater output from forest lands has been matched by two other
competing demands: maintaining the quality of the environment and more extensive and intensive management of the land. To manage insect pests that
compete with human use of forest lands, the resource manager must rely on
pesticides (NAS, 1975b). Following the best application strategies is a key part
of an integrated pest management program. At the same time, undiminished
effort must be made to prevent pollution of the air, land, and water beyond a
level considered safe for nontarget life forms. To minimize risks, the resource
manager must apply the best scientific findings available.
Pesticide applications must be done under the guidelines of legislative mandates at the federal and state levels of government (Deck, 1975). Consequently,
the resource manager now has only limited insecticide tools in pest management
that are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
approved for use (Dewey, 1979; U.S. Department of Agriculture 1976a, 1977a,
1978a).
Forest pest control and the application of chemicals to forests have been
reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences (1975b) and by Hobart (1977).
Pschorn-Walcher (1977) summarized the status of biological control of forest
insects. This review of the literature is restricted to research and the development
of insecticides and their application in forestry. Most of the references cited are
Carl E. Crisp. Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Berkeley, California 94701.
157
Their Application in Forestry
Carl E. Crisp
7.1. INTRODUCTION
7
The demand for greater output from forest lands has been matched by two other
competing demands: maintaining the quality of the environment and more extensive and intensive management of the land. To manage insect pests that
compete with human use of forest lands, the resource manager must rely on
pesticides (NAS, 1975b). Following the best application strategies is a key part
of an integrated pest management program. At the same time, undiminished
effort must be made to prevent pollution of the air, land, and water beyond a
level considered safe for nontarget life forms. To minimize risks, the resource
manager must apply the best scientific findings available.
Pesticide applications must be done under the guidelines of legislative mandates at the federal and state levels of government (Deck, 1975). Consequently,
the resource manager now has only limited insecticide tools in pest management
that are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
approved for use (Dewey, 1979; U.S. Department of Agriculture 1976a, 1977a,
1978a).
Forest pest control and the application of chemicals to forests have been
reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences (1975b) and by Hobart (1977).
Pschorn-Walcher (1977) summarized the status of biological control of forest
insects. This review of the literature is restricted to research and the development
of insecticides and their application in forestry. Most of the references cited are
Carl E. Crisp. Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Berkeley, California 94701.
157