Preventive biological control, natural-enemy selection, compatibility, environmental fit, sticky-card monitoring, scouting, and recordkeeping.
Protected Cultivation
Greenhouse Scouting & Hotspot Mapping
Effective greenhouse IPM depends on repeated, mapped observations. Sticky cards, plant inspections, magnification, and records reveal where pest pressure begins and whether it is changing.
Key concepts
- Sticky cards monitor some flying adults but do not replace plant inspection
- Pest life stage matters for identification and management timing
- Maps make recurring hotspots visible
- Scouting should begin when plant material enters the structure
What to measure or observe
- Number and date monitoring cards
- Inspect a consistent set of plants or zones
- Record eggs, immatures, adults, damage, and beneficial organisms separately
- Mark hotspots and revisit them after any intervention
Common mistakes
- Counting sticky-card insects without checking plants
- Moving traps without recording location
- Scouting only after visible damage becomes widespread
- Recording presence without abundance or life stage
Visuals this lesson still needs
- Greenhouse scouting map
- Sticky-card placement example
- Pest life-stage record sheet
- Hotspot progression map
Evidence & further reading
Sources connected to this lesson
These references support specific biological, diagnostic, environmental, or process concepts used in this lesson. They are not a substitute for crop-specific testing or local regulatory guidance.Comprehensive greenhouse IPM framework and pest-management concepts for protected production systems.
Greenhouse IPM principles, plant quarantine, scouting, monitoring, sanitation, media, and integrated pest-management practices.