A total systems approach to sustainable pest management relies less on application of external corrective actions than on a thorough understanding of inherent plant defenses, plant mixtures, natural enemies and other components of the system to achieve management objectives.   Information-intensive approaches to pest management require a better understanding of the intricate host genetic x environment interactions that occur at all levels to allow accurate prediction and avoidance of key pest problems. Research was conducted to determine what type and degree of parasitism and predation occurs in turfgrass in the southeastern U.S., and the influence of turfgrass species and cultivars that represent a gradient in resistance to common pests. 

Results/Conclusions

Experiments determined substantial differences in parasitoid and predator occurrence and performance among turfgrass species and cultivars.  Similarly, grass taxa mediated responses of insect pests to insecticides in different directions depending on mode of action of insecticide.  Companion plantings of wildflowers increased numbers of natural enemies in adjacent turfgrass, but did not necessarily result in increased predation on common turf pests.