Economic Evaluation of Alternative Pest Management Strategies Utilizing Simulation Modelling: Focus-Mexica Bean Beetle On Soybeans

In recent years, a number of issues concerning the trade-off relationship between agricultural production and environmental quality have led to increasing, interdisciplinary focus on insecticides as both productive inputs and environmental hazards. Entomological research efforts have included numerous studies of alternative insect pest control strategies which reduce or eliminate the need for insecticide inputs. Economic research has focused on the optimization of chemical pest control inputs. The evaluation of both conventional chemical and alternative insect pest control strategies, with respect to the economic efficiency with which each contributes to agricultural productivity, is essential if producers are to make rational control action decisions. Of equal importance is the evaluation of alternatives in terms of social welfare