Spider mites and other mites

Biological control of spider mites and other mites uses a range of natural enemies that target different developmental stages of the pest: Predatory mites [...] on the leaves affect the appearance of the crop. This is of particular concern in ornamental crops. Life cycle of spider mites Spider mite control videos [...] are capable of causing severe damage very rapidly due to their great reproductive capacity. There are more than 1200 species worldwide, many of them are common

Fall Armyworm

developing larvae eat different parts of the host plant, depending on the crop, the stage of crop development, and the age of the larvae. On maize, young larvae [...] been found in Africa too. The caterpillars of fall armyworms feed on the leaves, stems and reproductive parts of more than 100 plant species causing major [...] spotted sign of larval feeding. After feeding, the leaves appear ragged or torn (similar to hailstorm damage in appearance). Life cycle of the Fall Armyworm

Caterpillars

addition to consumption of the plant, caterpillars also spoil the plant with the large quantities of frass they leave behind. Life cycle of caterpillars Caterpillar [...] crops. Biological control of caterpillars combines monitoring and control strategies that target different life stages of the pest: Beneficial nematodes [...] 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

Vine mealybug

an adequate intake of protein, mealybugs must therefore ingest large quantities of sap, getting rid of the excess sugars in the form of honeydew. Charac [...] causing deformation and / or yellowing of leaves, sometimes followed by defoliation. The overall effect is a reduction of photosynthesis and therefore the yield [...] honeydew. Additionally, the white, waxy secretion of the mealybugs, reduces the ornamental value of the affected plants. Fruit and flowers are also fouled

California red scale

moult into the grey stage, named after the colour of the edges of their shield. Mating occurs at the start of this stage, before the female finally matures [...] especially in the case of young citrus. Young trees can suffer greatly and die if the branches are lost. Life cycle and appearance of California red scale [...] offspring. Each female can produce 100-150 young over a period of six to eight weeks, at a rate of one to three a day. The crawlers are mobile and very small

Flies

directly and indirectly. The type of damage depends on the species of the flies. Direct damage is the immediate result of larvae feeding on root hairs and [...] nuisance, are particularly small flies of the families Sciaridae ( sciarid flies ) and Ephydridae (shore flies). The larvae of these insects generally live on [...] to plants, they are often a problem due to their large number. Larvae of flies of the family Keroplatidae (mainly Lyprauta sp.) can cause damage in potted

Tomato leafminer

cycle and appearance of Tomato leafminer The female moth of the tomato leaf miner ( Tuta absoluta ) lays about 260 eggs. The eggs of the tomato leaf miner [...] tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta), a major pest of field- and greenhouse-grown tomatoes, belongs to the family of Gelechiidae . It is oligophagous, feeding mainly [...] chilense , and Solanum nigrum. Damage symptoms The most distinctive symptoms of damage done by the tomato leaf miner ( Tuta absoluta) are the blotch-shaped

Tobacco 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 [...] they are also capable of dispersing through the crop by walking. The tobacco aphid tends to form denser colonies, closer to the top of the plant, than the [...] viruses. Life cycle and appearance of Tobacco aphid Aphids have a complex life cycle, with both winged and wingless forms of adults and a great variety in colour

Macadamia nut borer

large fruit, part of the kernel may remain. A larva can consume several small nuts by moving from one fruit to another. This type of damage is small, and [...] and trees are able to compensate for damage because of the large volume of flowers and small nuts produced by macadamia trees early in the season. Fruit [...] penetrated, larvae then feed on the inside of the husk. Damaged nuts are shed by the tree. Appearance and life cycle of Macadamia nut borer The eggs are laid

Western flower thrips

leaves and the black dots of their excreta indicate their presence in the crop. The vigour of the plant is reduced by loss of chlorophyll. When infestations [...] insect. The eggs of the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) are laid in leaves, flower petals and in the soft parts of stalks. They are [...] In the adults both pairs of wings are fully developed. Damage symptoms Thrips cause damage to plants by piercing the cells of the surface tissues and sucking