La Margherita s.s - Azienda Agricola

Integrated pest management is an evolution of guided pest management aimed at further reducing the use of synthetic chemicals. Integrated pest management is a plant protection system which uses means that are compatible with economic, ecological and toxicological requirements, attempting to give priority, where possible, to natural factors for limiting herbivorous elements.
Chemicals are used for protection only in situations where no natural method exists (by organisms present in the agricultural ecosystems) or biological, physical, biotechnical and genetic means.
Integrated pest management also takes into account agronomic factors (fertilizing, pruning, working the fields etc.) which influence the dynamics of parasites.
This interdisciplinary approach (integrated) makes it possible to reduce the use of plant protection products and to use those products with less impact on humans and the environment.
The aim established for the introduction of these techniques is an “integrated production”, this means a combined use of genetic, agronomic, chemical and biotechnical means in an agroindustrial production system which is economically valid and able to optimize the quality of the product and safeguard the environment and human health.

	Lacewing Order: Neuropterai Scientific name: Chrysoperla carnea, Chrysopa septempunctata, Chrysopa formosa, Anisochrysa flavirons Pests attacked: Aphids, cochineals, psyllids, other insects, mites..	They are present on all herbaceous and arboreal plants not subject to excessive chemical treatment. Both larvae and adults are involved in predatory activity. During its development a larvae is capable of eating up to 5000 aphids.
	Sevenspotted Lady Beetle Order: Coleoptera Scientific name: Coccinella septempuntata Pests attacked: Aphids	It spends the winter as an adult in the ground (not on plants) in groups of no more than 10 individuals. In spring the adults start to reproduce and the females lay eggs near aphid colonies. In our environments it has been present from one to three generations with less activity during the summer.
	Aphid midge Order: Diptera Scientific name: the species Aphidolets aphidimyza is described due to its importance Pests attacked: aphids	The aphid midge spends the winter in the ground as a pupa protected by an earth and sand covering. The females deposit their eggs on the lower side of aphid infested leaves. Cultivation and marketing of this aphid began in 1978. It is used in biological control programs.