Ent 222: History of Insect Surveillance

Why is insect surveillance important?

Invasives

Endangered

Pollinators

Economic

Ecosystems

Who is Henry Hind?

He wrote a 157 page essay with recommendations for pest control of wheat crops “Insects and Diseases to Wheat Crops”

He won 1st place in the competition ; his text was an early pest management manual

Who is Leon Provancher?

The Father Of Natural History In Canada

He collected many insect specimens including hymenoptera

Who is Ella Cora Hind?

“The oracle of wheat” from Manitoba

She did >30 years of work in pest management of Wheat crops

She produced influential reports on yield potential, disease, insects and weed impacts

Firsthand surveys and correspondent reports

What did the 1966 publication of the control of the western pale cutworm act as?

A big provincial kick off of IPM

→ There was still a need for more regional work and establishment of small entomology labs

When was the Lethbridge Entomology established? who established it?

First Lab established in 1913

Established by E.H Strickland

He went on his motorcycle and conducted surveys

Initially focussing on the grasshopper outbreak of 1919-1921; with surveys beginning in 1932

What was the Western Forum on Pest Management?

Establishment of regional experts across the country

What is the Prairie Pest Monitoring network? Which insects do they monitor?

A collaborator-based network of the prairie provinces; founded by Owen Olfet in 1997

5 Insects were monitored

1. Bertha Armyworm

2. Diamondback Moth Larval Counts

3. Wheat Midge Abundance

4. Grasshoppers

5. Root maggot

What is the Agricultural Pest Act?

An act to provide for the Extermination of Pests

A requirement to control pests and recover costs

People were supplied with pesticides which they would apply to the land

Formalized surveying followed to predict future populations

⇒ Surveying still continues now

What is the future direction of insect surveillance in Alberta?

Continue flexible surveillance that adjusts to meet Albertan producer needs and can rapidly identify and respond to new insect threats

Surveillance in Alberta has always relied on farmers and enthusiasts