Summary of Losses from Insect Damage and
Cost of Control in Georgia
1996

Department of Entomology
Special Committee on Insect Survey and Losses

 D.G. Riley, G.K. Douce, and R.M. McPherson
Co-Chairs

List of Subcommittees and Members

• Apiculture -- K.S. Delaplane (chair)
• Apple -- D.L. Horton, (chair); J.D. Dutcher, HC Ellis
• Blueberries -- D.L. Horton, (chair)
• Canola -- G.D. Buntin, (chair);  J.N. All, R.D. Hudson,
• Cotton -- P.M. Roberts (chair) G.A. Herzog, D.C. Jones, J.R. Ruberson
• Field Corn -- R.D. Hudson, (chair) J.N. All
• Fire Ants -- B.L. Sparks, (chair), W.G. Hudson, K.G. Ross
• Forest -- C.W. Berisford, (chair), G.K. Douce
• Grain Sorghum -- R.D. Hudson, (chair); J.N. All
• Grapes -- D.L. Horton, (chair); J.N. All, J.D. Dutcher
• Household and Structural -- M.P. Nolan, Jr., (chair); B.T. Forschler
• Livestock and Poultry -- M.P. Nolan, Jr. (chair); D.C. Sheppard
• Ornamental, Lawn and Turf -- B.L. Sparks (chair); S.K. Braman, D.L. Horton,
  W.G. Hudson, R.D. Oetting.
• Pasture and Forage -- G.D. Buntin, (chair);  R.D. Hudson
• Peach -- D.L. Horton, (chair); J.D. Dutcher, HC Ellis
• Peanut -- S.L. Brown, (chair); D.C. Jones, J.W. Todd
• Pecan - HC Ellis, (chair); J.D. Dutcher
• Public Health and Recreational Area -- M.P. Nolan, Jr., (chair); W.G. Hudson, B.L. Sparks
• Small Grain -- R.D. Hudson, (chair); G.D. Buntin
• Soybean -- R.M. McPherson, (chair); R.D. Hudson, D.C. Jones
• Tobacco -- D.C. Jones, (chair); R.M. McPherson
• Vegetables -- D.B. Adams, (chair), D.G. Riley
• IPM Programs -- L.P. Guillebeau (chair), G.K. Douce

Introduction

This publication summarizes the economic losses resulting from insect damage and cost of their control in 1996.  The loss estimates are prepared by subcommittees of The University of Georgia, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Department of Entomology Special Committee on Insect Surveys and Losses.  Original loss estimates have been rounded to the nearest $1,000 in this summary report, with the exception of those in the Vegetable section where rounding to the hundreds unit was used.  Statistical data for commodity acreage, production, and value are taken from published reports of the Georgia Crop Reporting Service.  Those interested in the methodology by which loss estimates are derived should refer to Suber and Todd (1980).  The estimates of yield loss on units treated and untreated for a given insect pest can vary greatly between commodities.  This reflects differences in pest populations pressure, efficacy of control, management practices, etc., and the loss is not always lower for the treated units.  Those interested in the series of publications containing annual loss estimates to insects in Georgia should refer to Suber and Todd (1980), Todd and Suber (1980), Suber et al. (1981a, 1981b, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985), Douce and McPherson (1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996), Douce and Suber (1985, 1986, 1988), McPherson and Douce (1992, 1993), and McPherson, Douce and Riley (1996).

Acknowledgements

Many people other than the members of the University of Georgia Department of Entomology Special Committee on Insect Surveys and Losses have contributed significantly in this publication.  Committee members had considerable aid from representatives of agribusiness, the United States Department of Agriculture, research and extension workers in other states, and County Extension Directors and Agents of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service; the Committee thanks them all.  The Committee expresses special appreciation for the labors of Jenny Nelms and Carol Ireland who helped to type, format, and proofread the final draft of the  manuscript.  The editors also express appreciation to the staff of the Research Information Unit at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station for publishing our 1996 results.