A review of the historical development of arthropod pest control practices in pecan culture and the current status of pilot pest management projects, research programs, and recommended practices indicate that pecan crop protection is in an exploitative phase of development. That is, the amplitude of alternate bearing cycles has been reduced and yields have been increased in commercial pecan orchards of improved cultivars by maintaining soil moisture, increasing soil fertility, pruning and thinning, and maximum pest control. Arthropod pest management tactics developed and demonstrated by research and extension entomologists, respectively, are directed toward optimization of pest control practices, so that the grower will avoid problems associated with excessive pesticide use which have been witnessed in other cropping systems.