Integrated pest management of the cotton boll weevil in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay

摘要

The boll weevil invaded Brazil in 1983 and spread to Paraguay in 1991 and Argentina in 1994. Its presence in the southern cone of South America threatened some 4 million ha. of cotton. Since it erupted, Brazil has gone from being a net exporter to amajor cotton importer. Therefore, in order to face the problem and to rescue the cotton industry of the region, the Common Fund for Commodities approved a five-year project entitled "Integrated Pest Management of the Boll Weevil in Argentina, Brazil andParaguay," in September of 1994. The project became operational in August 1995. The main objectives of the project were to develop and subsequently introduce an integrated pest management system to control the boll weevil while minimizing the effect ofinsecticides on human health and the environment. The project was implemented under the overall responsibility of SENASA-Argentina and various collaborating institutes in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The International Cotton Advisory Committee servedas the supervisory body.