Management of insects, pathogens, and weeds is crucial to the economic production of food, fiber, ornamental plants, and forests in the Southern Region. These pests influence not only the cost of production, but product quality and quantity. In the United States, economic losses to plant and animal production systems by pests have been estimated to be more than $10 billion annually.

Reducing primary dependence on pesticides for pest management is a continuing national and regional priority. Scientists, farmers, and the general public are calling for a renewed research and Extension emphasis on natural control methods to assist in preventing ground and surface water contamination, negative impact on nontarget species, and potentially harmful residues in food.
    Some pests can be managed through manipulation of their biological and physical environments. Climate, geographic barriers, soil properties, presence or absence of other organisms, and the level of pest resistance are primary factors that naturally regulate pest population. Unfortunately, these natural pest management systems are frequently disrupted in attempts to achieve higher yields and/or quality and product diversity.
    Pest management strategies in the Southern Region are increasingly emphasizing natural controls, optimization of applications, use of new information technologies, and an overall integration of methods to meet the region's particular needs.
    The typically long, frost-free season of the humid Southern Region is conducive to the development of pest complexes that are extremely diverse, oftentimes intense, and unique to the specific crops grown in the region. A number of pests specific to the region, including mole crickets, fire ants, Formosan subterranean termites, and Africanized bees, require specific and unique controls or management. In addition, the diversity of Southern Region crop enterprises creates great demand for minor-use chemicals. Finally, introduction of new crops with their attendant pest populations and the increased importation of exotic pests generate the need for focused research and Extension for the region.
    IPM program thrusts in the Southern Region include:

• biological control-identifying and selecting organisms capable of reducing pest populations and determining the biological principles involved for using the beneficial organisms
• host resistance-identifying and improving plants that exhibit natural resistance or tolerance to pests and determining the mechanisms of resistance
• cultural control through applied ecology-developing cultural practices that disturb or modify the biological environment of pests and their ability to survive
• resistance management-determining the impact of genetic selection and adaptation on development of pest resistance to chemical and biological control agents
• application technology-developing uniform and efficient systems for applying pesticides and biological control agents
• influence on cropping systems- evaluating the dynamics of multiple pests and their control of cropping systems; areawide management; impact of movement, migration, and dispersal of pest and beneficial species; and economic, social, and environmental consequences of systems dynamics.