HORT 215 - Integrated Pest Management and Entomology

(G only)

This course focuses on the identification and management of insects, mites, and diseases affecting ornamental plants, turfgrass, and greenhouse crops. Topics include pest life cycles; diagnosis of plant-damaging insects, mites, and diseases; integrated pest management (IPM) strategies; pesticide uses and limitations; and pesticide safety, equipment, and application methods. The course prepares horticulture students for the pesticide applicator certification examination administered by the Maryland State Department of Agriculture. Assessment Level(s): ELAR 980/IERW 002. Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory each week.

3 semester hours

Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Evaluate and design an integrated pest management program.
Evaluate the presence and activity of beneficial organisms.
Design methods to preserve and augment the major beneficial organisms.
Predict which damage-level group an insect belongs in by analyzing its plant damage type.
Compare classification characteristics that enable industry professionals to group insects into major insect order, family, and genus.
Design criteria and a process used in selecting a low-risk pesticide, microbial pesticide, broad-spectrum pesticide, and selective pesticides for specific pest control.
Develop and evaluate integrated pest management approaches for greenhouse plants and herbaceous perennials produced in containers to minimize disease and pests.
Discuss applicable laws and regulations as they apply to pest control in the Green Industry.

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