In greenhouse, nursery, and ornamental crop production, anticipating pest threats is crucial to protecting plant health, maintaining market access, and ensuring operational efficiency. The 2026 Insecticide, Miticide & Fungicide (IMF) Guide provides an updated, science-based framework for pest management, including chemical class charts, resistance management strategies, and pest-specific recommendations. It reinforces Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, accurate identification, consistent monitoring, cultural and biological controls, and strategic chemical rotations to reduce resistance risk, preserve beneficial organisms, and maintain compliance with state and federal regulations.
A complete guide is available here: 2026 Insecticide, Miticide & Fungicide Guide.
This year, Dr. Zee Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Turf and Ornamental Entomology at Clemson University, took proactive pest management a step further with the release of a specialized field guide on Thrips parvispinus, a pest still under regulatory concern in the United States. Designed for growers, inspectors, and extension agents, the guide equips stakeholders with tools to detect infestations early, before they escalate into costly outbreaks. Early detection not only minimizes unnecessary insecticide applications but also slows the development of resistance and helps avoid potential trade or quarantine complications.
Together, the 2026 IMF Guide and Dr. Ahmed’s field guide form a powerful one-two punch: a comprehensive management framework paired with a targeted diagnostic tool. For stakeholders, this means better decision-making, reduced chemical dependency, and a stronger position in meeting both production and regulatory demands, assuring healthier crops, healthier markets, and a healthier future for the industry.
Figure 1. Field Guide for Thrips parvispinus (Ahmed, 2025): A visual diagnostic reference to aid in proactive detection in ornamental and edible crops.
