三工河流域油料作物的农户种植意愿影响因素分析——基于Logistic模型和240户农户微观调查数据

论文以新疆三工河流域27个行政村(连队)240户农户的调查数据为基础,通过建立农户种植油料作物意愿和各自变量的Logistic回归计量模型,从家庭特征因素、 资源禀赋因素、 家庭经济因素和其他因素四大方面分析了农户对油料作物种植意愿的影响因素。研究表明:家庭总人口、 对农业技术服务的态度与农户的种植意愿呈正相关关系,且对农业技术服务的态度标准化系数更大,影响更显著;常年从事农业劳动人数、 户主文化水平和地块位置与之呈反相关关系,且户主文化水平的标准化系数更大,影响更显著。但是反映土地投入、 种地收入以及人均收入没有通过检验,不能得出这几个变量与农户种植油料作物意愿之间的关系。文章最后探讨了兵地差异对农户种植意愿的影响及研究展望。     

The ecological basis of boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) management

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman), generally considered to be native to Mexico or Central America, spread into the southern United States of America in the late 1800s and seriously threatened the cotton industry. As there were no effective alternatives, pest control specialists studied the insect's ecology and advocated cultural practices that would disrupt its environment and maximize the benefits of natural biological and environmental controls. An ecologically orientated pest management scheme founded on cultural practices emerged well before suitable chemical control technology became available and allowed farmers to live with the weevil problem.Despite the ingenuity of the early management scheme, it frequently did not provide satisfactory boll weevil control gauged by present standards. Control of the pest thus shifted largely from an ecological to a chemical approach as effective synthetic organic insecticides became available after World War II. The chemical approach was successful for a number of years, but problems of insecticide-resistant strains of pests, secondary pest outbreaks, environmental quality, and increased costs of the insecticides have forced pest control specialists to re-emphasize the nonchemical techniques used widely against the boll weevil before World War II and to revive the ecological approach to weevil management.This article examines boll weevil ecology as related to management of the insect and reviews the status and prospects of ecologically-based weevil management techniques in the United States.     

基于农户意愿的矿区耕地损害补偿测度研究——以庞庄、垞城、柳新煤矿开采为例

矿产资源的开发利用,在支撑社会经济发展的同时却带来区域资源生态环境的破坏,尤其是矿区农户承担着较大的外部成本。论文以矿区耕地损害为研究对象,在调查农户认知和接受补偿意愿的基础上,通过构建计量模型,测算基于农户意愿下的补偿额度。结果表明:①调查结果显示,69.19%的农户因煤矿开采失去一部分耕地,49.19%的农户表示耕地质量降低,95.14%的农户认为居住环境遭到破坏,93.51%的农户认为采矿破坏了耕种文化传承;②实证结果表明,庞庄、垞城、柳新煤矿周边农户每年接受最低补偿分别为34 780.80、36 506.85和35 397.60元/hm²,其中经济损害受偿意愿分别为12 731.10、18 982.80、11 230.95元/(hm²·a),社会保障损害受偿意愿分别为11 782.35、10 777.95、12 765.00元/(hm²·a),生态损害受偿意愿分别为7 277.10、4 282.35、7 306.05元/(hm²·a),文化传承损害受偿意愿分别为2 990.25、2 463.75和4 095.6元/(hm²·a);③对比分析发现,当前政策下矿区耕地损害补偿额度一般在9 458.70~15 764.40元/(hm²·a)之间,明显低于基于农户意愿下的补偿额度,并且56.76%的农户表示不接受一次性补偿。以上结果能够为矿区生态补偿和政策创新提供决策依据和定量参考。     

A survey of the use of IPM by New York apple producers

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was first introduced to New York apple growers in 1975 through an Extension pilot program. Since that time, growers have become aware of the methods, results and potential benefits of following an IPM approach in their orchards. Differences in pesticide use, demography and behavior between IPM users and non-users are presented in this study. Results showed that > 80% of the apple producers in New York State (NY) incorporate some aspect of IPM into their pest control strategies. IPM users were younger and better educated and had less farm experience than non-users. Cornell Cooperative Extension was considered a primary source of written pest management and pesticide information to NY growers. However, agricultural sales persons were also considered useful by the growers for making pest management decisions. Growers that employed comprehensive IPM practices used 30% less insecticides, 47% less miticides and 10% less fungicides than growers that did not use IPM practices. This resulted in 235 kg active ingredient ha⁻¹ not having to be absorbed by the environment and saved IPM apple growers an average of US$ 95.80 ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ over an 11-year period (1976–1986) without significantly affecting fruit quality.     

生猪规模养殖粪污治理行为影响因素分析——基于意愿转化行为视角

为促进养殖户积极参与粪污治理,基于意愿转化行为视角,利用吉林、辽宁2省25县的生猪规模养殖户调研数据,通过对样本数据进行分组（无意愿无行为、有意愿无行为、有意愿有行为）,运用无序多分类Logistic回归模型从“有无意愿”“有无行为”“意愿转化行为”三个维度综合分析生猪规模养殖粪污治理行为的影响因素。结果显示：养殖户的粪污治理意愿与治理行为之间存在较大差异,意愿与行为的不一致比率达26.8%。影响养殖户粪污治理意愿转化行为的因素主要与养殖规模、粪污消纳地面积、养殖净收益、周边群众舆论、粪污处理技术、粪污处理经济条件、粪污处理相关培训、政府补贴和政府监管等相关性较大,并且对意愿向行为转化具有显著的促进作用,而养殖年限成为养殖户粪污治理意愿转化行为的阻碍因素。     

Econometric analysis of the determinants of adoption of alley farming by farmers in the forest zone of southwest Cameroon

Slash-and-burn agriculture continues to expand in many parts of the forest zone of Cameroon. One alternative land use to slash-and-burn system is alley farming. This paper quantifies, using an econometric model, the factors determining farmers’ adoption and use of alley farming variants in southwest of Cameroon, based on a survey of 156 farmers in 11 villages in the region.The analysis showed that male farmers are more likely to adopt than women. Adoption is higher for farmers with contacts with extension agencies working on agroforestry technologies. Adoption is higher for farmers belonging to farmers’ groups. Adoption is lower for farmers in areas with very high population pressure, as farmers in such areas may have greater labor productivity from use of less labor intensive natural resource management technologies like chemical fertilizers. Adoption is higher for farmers in areas facing fuel wood scarcity. Farmers have made adaptations to the conventional alley farming technology recommended by researchers, the most significant adaptation being the introduction of fallow periods into the system. Farmers use alley farming as a land use option, not as a replacement for the slash-and-burn system, since land supply is still relatively elastic. Achieving increased impact with alley farming variants requires effective targeting. Results showed that econometric modeling using farmer and village characteristics, socioeconomic and institutional variables can lead to more effective targeting to farmers and locations where higher adoption rates may occur.     

农业技术推广过程中制度因素的影响——湖北省天门市棉花害虫综合防治项目案例分析报告

针对中国主产棉区在病虫害防治中大量施用化学农药加重农业污染，以及害虫产生抗药性导致防治失灵等问题，由亚洲开发银行（ＡＤＢ）资助，英联邦国际生物防治研究所（ＣＡＢＩ）负责实施，于１９９３～１９９６年在中国湖北省天门市建立害虫综合防治（ＩＰＭ）项目试点，旨在研究和开发控制病虫危害和改善生态环境的适用于中国主产棉区的ＩＰＭ技术体系。ＩＰＭ项目有两个特点：①与以往因土地、人口压力而引致的技术变革不同，ＩＰＭ项目是一项因环境压力而引致的技术变革；②以往的技术变革的阻力大多来自于乡村社会结构尤其是农民对新技术的不接受，而ＩＰＭ项目在运作层面首先遇到了高度集中的防治体系的阻碍，即受到制度因素的影响。本文着重分析高度集中的防治体系形成的过程和原因，以及制度因素影响ＩＰＭ项目实施的作用机制，并提出解决问题的政策建议。     

The boll weevil in North America: Scientific conflicts over management of environmental resources

This paper is a historical and philosphical reconstruction of how U.S. entomologists attempted to mitigate the depradations of the boll weevil on cotton, the world's most important natural fiber. The boll weevil caused severe losses in the U.S. after 1892. Early control methods were based on altering the cultural practices of cotton growers. The discovery in 1917 that calcium arsenate was an effective insecticide for boll weevils eventually allowed some farmers to rely on chemical control. Development of synthetic, organic insecticides allowed many U.S. growers after 1945 to rely heavily on insecticides for boll weevils. By the 1960s, resistance of boll weevils to insecticides, induction of secondary pest outbreaks, and environmental health hazards threatened cotton production practices based on insecticides. U.S. entomologists devised two new strategies to rescue cotton production from its insecticide crisis: integrated pest management (IPM) and total population management (TPM). Eradication of key insect pests such as boll weevils was envisaged by TPM entomologists with adequate technology. E.F. Knipling, the USDA entomologist who designed TPM, gave 1968 as a target for possible boll weevil eradication. The pilot boll weevil eradication experiment (PBWEE) was conducted in 1971–1973. IPM entomologists argued the futility of attempting to eradicate the boll weevil from the U.S.A., but TPM adherents argued for a second test, which was held in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina (1978–1980). A new controversy erupted over how to interpret the fact that a few boll weevils were found at the end of the second test. IPM and TPM entomologists were once again pitted against one another on three major issues: defining eradication; explaining secondary pest behavior; and drawing conclusions about the wisdom of a national boll weevil eradication program. Currently, entomologists have reached a stalemate over boll weevil eradication in the U.S. Some entomologists are attempting to synthesize opposing views in the hope of reaching a professional consensus on appropriate boll weevil suppression methods. Significant distinctions separate IPM and TPM and will make it difficult to achieve an agreement. Budgetary problems in the U.S.A. argue for a management rather than eradication stance against boll weevils. The split in the U.S. entomological profession could have adverse effects on efforts to develop insect-control science outside of the U.S.     

农户规模经营意愿与行为的影响机制及差异——基于山东省3县379份农户调查问卷的实证

基于社会认知理论与计划行为理论构建分析框架,采用山东省五莲、东平和垦利等三县（区）的379份农户调查问卷数据,综合运用主成分分析法、Heckman二阶段模型和比较分析法,探究农户规模经营意愿与行为的主要影响因素及其作用机制与差异,为推进农地适度规模经营提供决策参考。结果表明：（1）案例区被调查农户对土地政策的认知程度普遍较低,且认知水平与结构均存在地域差异。（2）个体特征、资源禀赋和区位因素对规模经营意愿产生显著影响,而政策认知和社会保障因素的影响却不显著;所选四类因素均表现出了对规模经营行为的影响,其中影响力度较大且通过显著性检验的因素主要是“是否参加农业保险”和“新型经营主体认知程度”。（3）27.70%的受访农户存在规模经营意愿与行为不一致的情形,山区与平原农户规模经营的影响机制表现出一定差异,影响农户意愿与行为的因素也有较大不同。（4）建议深入了解农民的政策认知水平与结构、有针对性地加强宣传教育,因地制宜构建信息平台、降低农地流转交易成本,构建面向小农户的农业社会化服务体系,实现“土地+服务”的二元规模化。     

Motivations and barriers for Western Australian broad-acre farmers to adopt carbon farming

Carbon farming policies aim to contribute to climate change mitigation, but their success strongly depends on whether landholders actually adopt desired practices or participate in offered programs. The Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative and Emissions Reduction Fund policies were designed to incentivise the adoption of carbon farming practices. Although these policies have been active since December 2011, farmer engagement has been limited, and net emissions reductions low as a result. We surveyed broad-acre farmers in the Western Australian wheatbelt to explore their drivers and barriers to adopting carbon farming practices and participating in carbon farming policy programs. Drivers of adoption included knowledge and perception of co-benefits (for yield, productivity, and the environment), knowing another adopter, and believing that changes to farm management are an appropriate method to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Barriers to adoption included lack of information, uncertainty and costs. The key barrier to participation was policy and political uncertainty. The determinants of adoption and participation that we identify in our study offer important insights into how to best ensure the success of Australia’s land sector-based climate change policies. We conclude that, to increase landholder engagement, the co-benefits and climate change benefits of carbon farming practices must be actively promoted, and additional information is needed about the costs associated with adoption. Information diffusion is best achieved if it actively leverages landholder social networks. Finally, our results indicate that landholder buy-in to carbon farming could be greatly enhanced by achieving more continuity in Australian climate change policies and politics.     

Applying the concept of agrodiversity to indigenous soil and water conservation practices in eastern Kenya

Agrodiversity – the diversity of cropping systems, crop species and farm management practices has received increasing attention in recent years as a way of spreading risk and supporting food security in resource-poor farming systems. This paper discusses the dynamic aspects of indigenous soil and water conservation (ISWC) practices in a semi-arid part of Kenya. The objective is to show the range of sources of variability and diversity that prevail in this environment, the responses of farmers to this variability, and the way farmers' rationalise the heterogeneity of soil and water management practices. Methods used included participatory surveys and evaluations, on-farm monitoring, soil and rainfall data analyses, and questionnaire surveys. Sources of variability affecting cropping systems and land management practices included rainfall, soil fertility, farmer resource level and farm productivity. A decision-tree was developed to examine how biophysical and socio-economic variability affected farmers' choice of ISWC. Different ISWC structures dominated on sandy and stony soils, respectively. Low resource farmers tended to choose cheaper and less labour demanding techniques, and constructed smaller ISWC structures than better endowed farmers. The largest diversity of ISWC practices was found on newly-opened land with mixed soils. Moreover, on-farm productivity levels indicated that costly investments in SWC are unfeasible, as this would further increase the risk for negative returns to farming. The wider implications of the results are that SWC interventions in marginal areas should build on the existing agrodiversity and an understanding of the complex interactions between environmental and socio-economic factors that give rise to differences in farming systems and land management practices.     

基于IAD延伸决策模型的农户耕地休养意愿研究

基于IAD延伸决策模型,通过1 004个农户样本数据的二元Logistic整体回归及分组回归分析发现：农户耕地休养意愿同时受到户主特征及家庭概况变量、耕地休养规则变量、休养环境与市场变量和认知改革变量的影响。农户生境的耕地依赖性制约了耕地休养;曾撂荒农户和未撂荒农户在4个方面变量,尤其是休养规则偏好上存在显著差异。曾撂荒农户倾向于自由度高、政府遴选权力低的休养规则,未撂荒农户更倾向于补偿标准高、有一定决策自由度的休养规则;在IAD语境下的进一步讨论表明以多元模式为代表的休养规则可能有效改善耕地质量,但在整个耕地休养的动态过程中,需要注意区分不同参与主体,选择性地允许农户参与构建相关规则,从而促进耕地休养的可持续性。     

Integrated mite control in apples in Queensland, Australia

An interdisciplinary team introduced Integrated Mite Control (IMC) to the Queensland apple industry in Australia from 1989 to 1992. Project funding supported the employment of a consultant to monitor mite levels and provide management advice to growers who paid for the service. Interviews at the beginning and end of the project showed widespread adoption of IMC over this period. Overall use of chemicals was not reduced, but the use pattern changed towards wider use of chemicals that are less toxic to predatory mites. The future of IMC in the Queensland apple industry is in doubt because the seasonal nature of apple production does not allow the paid consultancy service to be self-sustaining. Indications are that the integrated approach to pest management may not be generally accepted as a strategic management process while the availability of effective chemicals allows the continuation of a spray routine for mite control. The lack of availability of effective and proven methods of pest control was seen by growers as the major constraint to adoption of IMC.     

Population dynamics and the physical and financial impacts to cereal crops of the Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus on the Agulhas Plain, Western Cape, South Africa

Cereal crop farmers in the Western Cape province of South Africa regard the Egyptian Goose as a serious pest. The Agulhas Plain, in particular, attracts thousands of geese annually primarily because of the abundance and availability of nutritious crops such as wheat Triticum spp. and barley Hordeum spp. for food and permanent water bodies for roosting, moulting and breeding. Therefore, this paper investigates the population dynamics and physical and financial impacts to cereal crops of the Egyptian Goose on the Agulhas Plain, Western Cape. Egyptian Geese inflict damage during three main periods, viz. soon after sowing (surface seeds); young, developing plants (growing plants); and cut plants stacked in windrows (long, linear piles) to dry. The largest numbers of geese were recorded during June and July when they foraged on growing plants less than 25 cm tall. Overall, the mean yield loss was 65.6% in 1997 and 63.5% in 1998. Fields suffering greatest yield loss in 1997 and 1998 were generally those within 600 m of the roosting sites and had about 300 geese grazing on them on areas of around 2 ha in size for about 2 months. By August, geese moved from croplands on to pastures. During October and November, geese once again fed primarily on barley seeds in harvested crops stacked in windrows. Damage by geese to farmers was estimated to be >2.5 and 7% of annual revenue received from barley and wheat farming, in 1997 and 1998, respectively. There are many variables that need to be considered when attempting to quantify and explain damage to cereal crops by Egyptian Geese.     

农户家庭生计禀赋对农地流转的影响——以湖北省不同类型功能区为例

论文以湖北武汉、孝感为实证,构建农户家庭生计禀赋衡量体系,运用Logit模型分析不同类型功能区农户生计禀赋对农地流转的影响。研究表明：1）重点开发区农户已参与农地流转的比例（48.38%）及未来愿意参与农地流转的比例（61.99%）相对较高,且流转程序较规范;农产品主产区农户农地流转参与率（46.72%）相对较高,但农户农地依赖程度高,未来愿意参与农地流转的比例（38.61%）相对最低;生态功能区资源环境承载能力较低、农业生产条件差,农地流转实际比例较低（31.82%）,但受农业种植低利益及非农产业高回报的诱导,受访农民未来流转意愿（45.87%）较强烈。2）自然资产及物质资产对农户参与农地流转行为影响较大,目前承包耕地面积大的农户转出农地的概率较大,而经营耕地面积大和拥有生产性工具多的农户转入耕地的概率较大。3）人力资产、自然资产、物质资产、金融资产及社会资产的差异会使农地流转后农民生存风险不同,从而对农户未来参与农地流转意愿影响显著。家庭整体劳动能力、家庭承包耕地面积、实际经营耕地面积、农地机耕条件、家庭拥有生产性工具、拥有耐用消费品数量及人情开支均对农户转入农地意愿产生正向影响;同时,家庭承包耕地面积的增加、农地交通条件及景观环境改善能够增加农户的农地转出意愿。     

地下水漏斗区农户冬小麦休耕意愿的影响因素及其生态补偿标准研究——以河北衡水为例

近年来,国家大力提倡耕地休养生息,推行土地休耕制度,以提高地力,保障农业可持续发展。由于水资源短缺已经成为制约我国华北地区经济社会发展的重要因素。华北地下水漏斗区作为土地休耕的三个试点之一,主要目标是退耕高耗水的冬小麦,实现“一季休耕、一季雨养”,以减少地下水用量,修复地下水环境。农户作为农村最主要的生产与经营主体,如何给予农户合理的补偿,使其有效地实施冬小麦休耕政策成为缓解华北地区水资源短缺的关键因素。论文运用问卷调查法、机会成本法与Logistic模型对意愿与补偿标准进行分析,探讨了河北衡水地下水漏斗区农户冬小麦休耕意愿的主要影响因素及其生态补偿标准的合理性,以便为我国科学合理地制定地下水漏斗区耕地轮作休耕政策提供理论依据。研究结果表明：1）农户的文化程度、家庭农业劳动力总数、抚养比、农户对地下水漏斗区冬小麦休耕态度、农户对政府实行政策的信任度与农户休耕意愿呈显著的正向影响;2）务农工日、耕地质量、人均耕地面积与农户休耕意愿呈显著的负向影响;3）只考虑冬小麦对地下水影响,不考虑农产品市场价格变化的影响,建议河北衡水地区休耕农户补偿标准为518元/亩（7 770元/hm²）。最后论文提出了因地制宜地制定地下水漏斗区冬小麦休耕的补偿政策,发展绿色产业,转移剩余劳动力,并做好休耕政策宣传力度等政策建议。     

森林保险支付意愿及影响因素分析——基于异质性营林主体视角

基于期望效用函数理论分析了异质性营林主体的森林保险支付意愿及差异,并以传统小林农和新型林业经营主体为研究对象,以福建省382户传统小林农和88户新型林业经营主体的调研数据为基础,综合运用条件估值法、卡方检验及Cox比例风险模型,对异质性营林主体的森林保险支付意愿与差异及支付意愿影响因素进行对比与分析。研究表明：传统小林农和新型林业经营主体的森林保险意愿支付水平存在显著差异,在1000~2500元/亩保障水平下,传统小林农的意愿支付水平分别为1.911元/亩、2.941元/亩、3.532元/亩及3.979元/亩,新型林业经营主体为1.632元/亩、3.971元/亩、5.809元/亩及6.864元/亩;两类营林主体的支付意愿均随保额的提高而提高,但新型林业经营主体的提升幅度远高于小林农。异质性营林主体的森林保险支付意愿影响因素也存在明显差别,这与其在森林保险认知特征、林业生产经营特征、林业灾损特征、森林保险产品评价特征等方面存在显著差异有关。此外,林地面积对两类营林主体支付意愿均具有显著影响,规模化、集约化的林业生产经营可促进林业经营主体的森林保险愿意支付水平。     

Sustainable resource management coupled to resilient germplasm to provide new intensive cereal–grain–legume–livestock systems in the dry savanna

Sustainable resource management is the critical agricultural research and development challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. The accumulated knowledge on soil management gathered over the last 10 years, combined with solid crop improvement and plant health research at farmers’ level, has brought us to a stage where we can now address with confidence the intensification of cereal–grain–legume-based cropping systems in the dry savanna of West Africa in a sustainable and environmentally positive manner.Two sustainable farming systems that greatly enhance the productivity and sustainability of integrated livestock systems have been developed and implemented in the dry savanna of Nigeria. These are: (i) maize (Zea mays L.)–promiscuous soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations that combine high nitrogen fixation and the ability to kill large numbers of Striga hermonthica seeds in the soil; and (ii) miflet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaerth] and dual-purpose cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. Improvement of the cropping systems in the dry savanna has been driven by the adoption of promiscuously nodulating soybean varieties (in particular TGx 1448-2E) and dual-purpose cowpea. The rate of adoption is very high, even in the absence of an efficient seed distribution system. The number of farmers cultivating the improved varieties increased by 228% during the last 3 years. Increased production of promiscuous soybean has been stimulated by increased demand from industries and home utilization. Production in Nigeria was estimated at 405,000 t in 1999 compared to less than 60,000 t in 1984. Economic analysis of these systems shows already an increase of 50–70% in the gross incomes of adopting farmers compared to those still following the current practices, mainly continuous maize cultivation. Furthermore, increases in legume areas of 10% in Nigeria (about 30,000 ha in the northern Guinea savanna) and increases of 20% in yield have translated into additional fixed nitrogen valued annually at US$ 44 million. This reflects, at the same time, an equivalent increase in land-use productivity, and with further spread of the improved crops, there are excellent prospects for additional economic and environmental benefits from a very large recommendation domain across West Africa.     

Farm management decision and response to climate variability and change in Côte d’Ivoire

This paper investigates threats to farm management in the northern and central region of Côte d’Ivoire, with a particular focus on climate-related threats. To this end, farmers’ perception and adaptation strategies for climate change have been analyzed. The data were collected from 205 respondents by means of the Focus Groups method, and they were evaluated using a framework analysis. The main reported threats related to the implementation of farming activities are the high cost of inputs and the lack of technical support, which are followed by diseases, insects, and climate variations (scarcity of rains, strong winds, and high temperature). We find that most farmers have a strong perception of changes in climatic conditions. Their perceived impacts on the local environment through evidences like the disappearance of certain farming practices, occurrence of new insects, and the disruption of key time reference periods. Farmers mainly attempt to adapt by adjusting their agricultural calendar, adopting new short-season varieties, and using mixed cropping. We find that the most influential factors for farmers’ adaptation behavior is lack of contact with extension services and the scarcity of rainfall. Our suggestions for future agricultural policies for better adaptation to climate change are to take into account farmers’ perception, to provide suitable climate forecast, and to improve local technical support.     

Survey of current crop management practices in a mixed-ricefield landscape,Mekong Delta,Vietnam — potential of habitat manipulation for improved control of citrus leafminer and citrus red mite

In the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella (CLM) and the citrus red mite Panonychus citri are major pests in both sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and Tieu mandarin (C. reticulata). Survey data indicate that these pest problems might be aggravated after farmers have completely destroyed the weed flora in their orchard. As citrus farmers only perceive the larger predators such as the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina and spiders, and have no idea about the existence of predatory mites or parasitoids, they do not know about potential positive attributes of weeds in pest management which sustain populations of natural enemies and their alternative food. IPM training programmes could use the weaver ant as an introduction to educating farmers about predatory mites and parasitoids, and should likewise emphasise the importance of beneficial asteraceous weeds such as Ageratum conyzoides. Non-crop trees such as Spondias dulcis, Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Ceiba pentandra are commonly known to offer good refuge for the weaver ant. These trees should be further studied for their temporal contribution as food resource for other natural enemies of CLM and mites. Small adjustments of current weed management techniques are suggested to improve availability of pollen and nectar for beneficials at crucial moments in the cropping season, with due respect to implications at the landscape level.