If the number of pests does not exceed the threshold, what action is recommended?

When the number of pests does not exceed the established action threshold, the recommended course of action is to continue monitoring the pest population. This approach is rooted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, which emphasize the importance of a careful assessment of pest populations before making any control decisions.

By continuing to monitor, growers can gather more information on the pest dynamics, including any potential changes in population numbers, behavior, or life cycle updates. This ongoing observation helps ensure that management decisions are timely and based on the most accurate and relevant data. It can also prevent unnecessary interventions, saving resources and reducing the risk of harming beneficial organisms in the environment.

In contrast, implementing immediate pest control measures, increasing pesticide application, or removing affected plants would be premature actions if the pest populations are still below the threshold, as they could lead to unnecessary costs and potential negative impacts on the ecosystem.