• Cottony cushion scale

  spread widely through most of the tropical and subtropical countries of the world. It is also periodically discovered in greenhouses in temperate regions, but [...] purchasi , is considered to have originated in Australia. It was accidentally introduced to California in about 1868 and devastated the citrus industry [...] there until a natural enemy from Australia was introduced in 1888. This was the first ever example of successful classical biological control. The cottony cushion

• Mealybugs and scales

  low in proteins and rich in sugars. In order to gain an adequate intake of protein, mealybugs must ingest large quantities of sap, getting rid of the excess [...] the reduced level of photosynthesis in the leaves also reduces flower and fruit production; in ornamental crops, the mere presence of mealybugs is sufficient [...] produce honeydew (on which moulds grow) resulting in considerable damage in ornamental and fruit crops and loss of value. Armoured scales do not produce honeydew

• Caterpillars

  damage crops. Most of them feed on nectar. In contrast, the caterpillars have biting and chewing mouthparts and can devour large amounts of plant tissue. Many [...] that occur in greenhouses belong to the Noctuidae (the noctuid or owl moths), which is the largest of all lepidopteran families. Most adults of this family [...] underside of leaves. This causes a window effect where the epidermis of the upper leaf surface remains undamaged. Young caterpillars are often found in groups

• Green peach aphid

  therefore need to extract large quantities of sap to get sufficient protein. The excess sugar is secreted in the form of honeydew, making the crop and its fruit [...] and appearance of green peach aphid Aphids have a complex life cycle, with both winged and wingless forms of adults and a great variety in colour. When [...] families. Damage symptoms Of all the aphids , the peach potato aphid ( Myzus persicae subsp. persicae ) is the most important vector of viral diseases. It can

• Whitefly

  the physiology of the plant, as a result of which growth is retarded. In full sunlight, leaves can wilt and drop. Such leaf damage can in turn influence [...] productive crops and prevent the spread of diseases. Biological control of whiteflies uses a combination of natural enemies and tools that target different [...] broadly comparable in outline. Whitefly damage The larvae need a lot of nutrients for growth, and thus consume a large quantity of plant sap. This contains

• Beneficial nematodes

  group of worms belonging to the phylum Nematoda. Nematodes are characterized by their unsegmented, cylindrical bodies, and they come in a variety of sizes [...] microscopic to several inches in length. Nematodes play various roles in ecosystems. Some are free-living, feeding on organic matter in soil or water, and are [...] species Several species of beneficial nematodes are commonly used in biological pest control . These nematodes play a vital role in managing insect pests

• Leaf miners

  damage. In (sub)tropical areas this can lead to burning in fruit such as tomato and melon. Loss of leaves also reduces yield. In full-grown plants of fruiting [...] quantity of foliage can be lost before the harvest is affected. The size of a leaf tunnel depends on the stage of development of the leaf, the species of host [...] family of small flies whose larvae tunnel into the leaves of plants, creating ‘mines’. There are many species of leaf miner affecting various crops in temperate

• Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

  effective in controlling large populations of mealybugs. Once the supply of mealybugs becomes inadequate, the ladybirds fly off in search of new prey. [...] appear to prey on all stages of mealybugs equally. Adult ladybirds are good fliers and can disperse over a large area in search of prey. Although Cryptolaemus [...] larvae of the late third and fourth in stars are the most voracious, consuming up to 30 mealybugs per day. 226 Beetles and larvae are most active in sunny

• Tobacco whitefly

  transmission of viruses, including TYLCV in tomato. The consumption of plant sap and secreting of honeydew by whiteflies reduce the aesthetic value of crops. [...] irregular ripening in tomatoes and sweet peppers, yellowing of the flower stalks in gerbera, and serious yellowing of the leaves of French beans. Other [...] identified on tobacco in Greece in 1889, hence the name tabaci . It has subsequently been found in most tropical and subtropical countries of the world. The original

• Glasshouse potato aphid

  presence in the crop. The wingless adult stage of the greenhouse potato aphid is rather squat, of medium size (1.8 - 3.0 mm long) and oval in shape. It [...] alternation of hosts, and the two types of life cycles occur on the same host plant. The aphid can overwinter not only in greenhouses, but also outdoors in sheltered [...] Aulacorthum solani) is a native European species of aphids , seriously affecting crops of sweet pepper in particular. These aphids further affect ornamental