I am interested to know if there were any significant changes and/or advancements in insecticide use that began around 1980 (new chemical, shift to a different mode of action, etc.).
I am trying to formulate a hypothesis regarding what caused a sharp decline in Mexican bean beetle in soy and snap beans that occurred around 1980 (an observation that has been corroborated by numerous extension agents). It is possible that the decline involved climate change, but according to surveys i've conducted, it still is a pretty severe issue in the organic farming community. So I am guessing that we must have developed some sort of chemical, chemical treatment method, or something along those lines that was very successful for controlling the beetle in a conventional setting. Any thoughts? Good references? (I do not know much about insecticide use, so feel free to provide obvious information!) Louie Nottingham Virginia Tech Masters Candidate 216(A) Price Hall (0319) Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA, 24061
