Thrips

cause problems in agriculture and horticulture. Thrips are small insects (0.5-14 mm), with the largest species found in the tropics. In temperate regions [...] Biological control of thrips Thrips are among the most challenging pests in greenhouse and field crops. Their feeding and virus transmission cause leaf [...] actively control thrips larvae and pupae, while beneficial nematodes target pupae in the soil. Sticky traps and kairomones support early detection and population

Diamond back moth

often stick to leaves and frequently hide in crevices near the bud. In cauliflower and broccoli, pupation may occur in the florets. Initially, the pupa is [...] They are deposited singly or in small groups of two or ten eggs on both the upper and lower surface of leaves, preferentially in depressions, and rarely on [...] The diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella) is suggested to have its origin in Europe, South Africa or East Asia, but is now present wherever its cruciferous

Cotton leafworm

containing 87 species of economic importance. It originates in Egypt, and is currently found in Africa, the Canary Islands, the Middle East and parts of [...] caterpillars crawl to the ground and settle in the surface layers. The pupa is 15 to 20 mm long and reddish brown in colour. The forewings of the adult cotton [...] remains are the bigger veins. Young larvae also bore into buds, which results in shedding or drying up of the buds. Yellowish to dark-green larval excrement

Cotton aphid

occurs early enough in the season, the death of young plants. Retarded growth and defoliation reduce yield. Plant sap is rich in sugars, but has a low [...] cycle, with both winged and wingless forms of adults and a great variety in colour. In greenhouses reproduction takes place by parthenogenesis, with unfertilized [...] d throughout the world but prefers the warmer regions. It has been a pest in European greenhouses since the late 1980’s, particularly affecting cucumber

Tomato russet mite

plants. Aculops lycopersici was detected for the first time in Australia and is a pest in tomatoes in all areas where they are grown. Other members of the plant [...] turn a rusty brown colour, and in serious cases they may snap. The fruit can also be affected, and when this happens in tomatoes, the skin becomes coarse [...] or three days. They are cream to orange-yellow in colour, wedge-shaped and very small (roughly 0.17 mm in length), with males being slightly smaller than

American serpentine leaf miner

cosmetic damage. In tropical and subtropical areas this can lead to burning in fruit such as tomato and melon. Loss of leaves also reduces yield. In full-grown [...] exit hole in the leaf with its mouth parts. After roughly one hour the larva crawls out of the leaf and falls to the ground. This occurs in the early morning [...] miner ( Liriomyza trifolii ) originates from North America, but occurs also in Europe since about 1976. The American serpentine leaf miner ( Liriomyza trifolii

Potato/tomato psyllid

nymphs when feeding, is known as ‘psyllid yellows’, which results in delayed growth, weakness in the new leaves, chlorosis/reddening or purple colouration of [...] problems caused. Psyllids spread purple-top disease in potatoes and permanent yellowing disease in tomatoes, both of which are very harmful to the affected [...] a pest of huge economic importance, which initially affected potatoes and in recent years has become a problem for other Solanaceae crops such as tomatoes

Mealybugs and scales

fruit are concerned, these often drop off; plant sap is low in proteins and rich in sugars. In order to gain an adequate intake of protein, mealybugs must [...] scales also produce honeydew (on which moulds grow) resulting in considerable damage in ornamental and fruit crops and loss of value. Armoured scales do [...] sale, and the reduced level of photosynthesis in the leaves also reduces flower and fruit production; in ornamental crops, the mere presence of mealybugs

Whitefly

retarded. In full sunlight, leaves can wilt and drop. Such leaf damage can in turn influence the development of fruit and lead to a reduction in yield. By [...] Biological control of whitefly Whiteflies are common pests in greenhouse and field crops, feeding on plant sap and transmitting harmful viruses. Their [...] mites Predatory bugs Beneficial fungi Sticky traps Parasitic wasps are key in reducing whitefly populations by parasitizing larvae and host feeding. Predatory

Fall Armyworm

disperse in a radius of about 500 km (300 miles) before oviposition, which is sufficient for them to move from seasonally dry habitats to wet habitats in Central [...] the warm, humid evenings. Females lay their eggs in clusters of 150-200 and can lay up to 2000 eggs in a lifetime. Eggs are white, pinkish or light green [...] pest that is indigenous throughout the Americas. Recently, it has been found in Africa too. The caterpillars of fall armyworms feed on the leaves, stems and