Area wide insect surveys in British Columbia crops: An approach to learn about new pest distribution and encourage timely management by growers

Areawide insect surveys have been used in one form or another effectively for over 30 years in British Columbia (BC). In south west coastal BC, many horticulture crops are grown, requiring timely information on common pests and especially any new ones. With partnerships between government extension staff and scientists and the grower community, crop consultants, and industry, we have endeavored to gather and provide useful pest distribution and abundance information.  Appropriate sharing of this information ultimately contributes to growers to making informed pest management decisions. Some examples of regional surveys include the Blueberry IPM Newsletter.  Surveys of a wider scope have been done for new pests that caused extensive crop damage, where little or no information had formerly been gathered in BC, for example, surveying corn and grass hay crops for True armyworms and Western corn rootworm, both emerging pest issues. Still other surveys are done in collaboration with government, industry and growers related to trade issues, such as for accessing new export markets (berries and cherries), and ensuring pest free status in our growing areas. (apples, ornamentals/nursery).  Partnerships are critical to success of these surveys, both for accessing resources and for getting the necessary work done. As incursion of new pests continue, there will be a need for these practical and collaborative surveys into the future.