The Influence of Spray Programs on the Fauna of Apple Orchards in Nova Scotia. IV. A Review

Abstract

Studies on the ecology of the fauna of apple orchards in Nova Scotia were initiated in 1943, to determine the long-term influence of spray chemicals on the populations of apple-infesting insects. At that time it was felt that the indiscriminate use of spray chemicals in the control of orchard pests was sometimes creating worse problems than those corrected–and was threatening the economy of apple production; and that there was an urgent need to determine, if possible, how to harmonize biological and chemical control. A more comprehensive discussion on the biological and philosophical concepts on which the studies were based may be found elsewhere (Pickett et al., 1946; Pickett, 1949a; 1949b).