Pest monitoring networks form the foundation of many integrated pest management programs in agroecosystems throughout the world. These monitoring networks tend to focus on widely dispersed and highly variable insect pest populations that can cause significant crop loss without intervention. By assessing the distribution and abundance of insects over growing seasons, pest monitoring networks help growers anticipate problems and use proactive rather than reactive management tactics; this promotes timely decision making that usually leads to more effective and cost-efficient pest management. There are several key considerations for developing and operating a successful pest monitoring network: (1) they can be costly and require a regular funding source; (2) the monitoring methods must be appropriate for the pest and adequately distributed (spatially and temporally) to locate infestations; (3) the monitoring data must be provided through timely communications that can be easily accessed by growers or other decision makers; (4) monitoring results should be explained so they can be easily interpreted; and (5) communications should include recommendations for next steps, such as guidance in identifying and scouting for the pest, cultural management approaches, and appropriate use of chemical controls. In this paper, we relate our experiences operating an insect pest monitoring network in potato crops grown in the Columbia Basin of Washington in the United States. We discuss our efforts to fund the program, operate more effectively, and continually improve the content of our communications.

害虫监测网络构成了全世界农业生态系统中许多综合害虫管理计划的基础。这些监测网络往往侧重于分布广泛且高度可变的害虫种群，这些种群在不干预的情况下会造成重大农作物损失。通过评估昆虫在整个生长季节的分布和数量，虫害监测网络可帮助种植者预测问题并采用主动而不是被动的管理策略；这促进了及时的决策，通常可以导致更有效和更具成本效益的害虫管理。建立和运行一个成功的有害生物监测网络有几个主要考虑因素：（1）它们可能成本高昂，需要定期的资金来源；（2）监测方法必须适合有害生物，并在空间和时间上充分分布以定位侵染；（3）必须通过及时的通信提供监测数据，种植者或其他决策者可以方便地获取这些数据；（4）应该解释监测结果，以便于解释。（5）交流中应包括有关下一步措施的建议，例如有关有害生物识别和搜寻的指导，文化管理方法以及适当使用化学控制措施。在本文中，我们介绍了我们在美国华盛顿哥伦比亚盆地种植的马铃薯作物中使用虫害监测网络的经验。我们将讨论为该计划提供资金，更有效地运作以及不断改善我们的沟通内容的努力。