Pest Monitoring Network
Insects and plant pathogens reduce crop yields annually in Illinois, and awareness of the potential for pests to cause crop losses is critical for making appropriate management decisions for the current and future growing seasons. Advance knowledge of potential pest outbreaks and its dissemination to the public should save crop producers millions of dollars annually in prevention of crop losses or avoidance of unnecessary expenditures for pest management inputs. In addition, identification of insect pests or plant pathogens that are new to the state or region can help research and extension personnel plan and develop management recommendations that can be adapted by the stakeholders.
The Pest Monitoring Network is formal network of cooperators who regularly monitor for critical insects and plant diseases that may infect field, forage, and horticultural crops in Illinois. Funded by an Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program grant, this statewide monitoring network was made possible with the assistance of University of Illinois Extension Educators, University of Illinois Research Specialists and industry partners.