Abstract |
An expert system termed NERISK was developed to evaluate the effects of pesticides on arthropod predators and parasitoids in a variety of agroecosystems. Based on a shell system (RECOG) with minor coding modifications, the system was designed to let even a novice user access the vast amount of information available on pesticide impacts on natural enemies. A large database (ca. 16,000 records), a simulation model of microbial pesticide effects, and several expert opinion components have been organized and integrated into an easy-to-use yet robust program. The system can assist academic, industry, and regulatory personnel make decisions regarding the integration of pesticides with biological control agents in many cropping systems. |