Future programs in areawide pest management

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Se rvice's (ARS) Areawide Pest Management Program is a coordinated partnership between the federal and state systems with active grower participation. Tw o highly ranked proposals were selected for initiation in 1995 and 1996-one involving the codling moth [Cydia pomonella (L.)] and the other, corn root worms (Diabrotica spp.). In 1996, the ARS expanded the program. Based on pe er reviews of proposals, followed by full proposal evaluations, two new pro jects targeting the weed leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) and insect pests in stored wheat (Triticum spp.) were implemented in 1997. The ARS plans to expand its integrated pest management (IPM) research activities in areawid e pest management as funds become available, either from new congressional appropriations or from the completion of ongoing projects. New areawide pes t management projects judged to be of highest priority and merit will be im plemented for insect, mite, tick, plant pathogen, or weed pests. The vision of the USDA-ARS Areawide Program is to provide farmers, consultants, and l ocal organizations with mature areawide pest management systems that are af fordable, operational, and adoptable, and that contribute to the overall go als of the USDA IPM Initiative.