• 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 [...] quality and overall yield. Effective control of mealybugs and scales is essential to maintain healthy and marketable crops. Biological control of mealybugs [...] beetles and lacewings help reduce mealybug and scale populations by attacking both larvae and adults. Pheromone traps support early detection and population

• Loose smut of wheat

  appearance of a smutted ear. Instead of normal tissue, the ear contains a mass of olive-brown smut spores. Life cycle and appearance of Loose smut of wheat [...] during flowering and the infected seeds are the primary source of inoculum in the next crop. The fungus survives inside the seed and when the seed germinates [...] within a day and infect the inner tissues of the newly infected seed. During maturation of the seed, the mycelium becomes thick-walled and swollen as a

• Thrips

  largest species found in the tropics. In temperate regions they are not larger than 2.5 mm. All thrips species that cause damage in green-houses belong to [...] or transparent in color and have a similar shape to the adults but are smaller and lack wings. One of the most distinctive features of thrips larvae is [...] Biological control of thrips Thrips are among the most challenging pests in greenhouse and field crops. Their feeding and virus transmission cause leaf

• Cottony cushion scale

  many types of fruit and forest trees, and ornamental shrubs and trees. Damage is mostly caused by sap depletion; the shoots dry up and die, and defoliation [...] spread widely through most of the tropical and subtropical countries of the world. It is also periodically discovered in greenhouses in temperate regions, but [...] defoliation occurs. In addition, the copious quantities of honeydew produced by the scales coat the leaves, blocking the stomata and impeding gas exchange. Sooty

• Two-spotted spider mite

  yellow, and as more cell sap is removed, the leaf, and eventually the whole plant, may die. In tomatoes and cucumbers, as little as 30% damage of the leaf [...] The webbing and spotting on the leaves affects the appearance of the crop. This is of particular concern in ornamental crops. Life cycle of two-spotted [...] worldwide and many of them are major crop pests. The two-spotted spider mite ( Tetranychus urticae ) is by far the most important species in greenhouses

• Dwarf bunt

  generally broader and the glumes opened wider, than in plants infected with Tilletia tritici and Tilletia laevis Life cycle and appearance of Dwarf bunt Tilletia [...] healthy kernels, which in turn become a source of disease in the next season. The optimum temperature for germination is 3-8 °C and it takes three to ten [...] 11 days reduces the risk of infection by Triticum tritici and Triticum laevis . Since Triticum controversa mostly attacks the 2-3 leaf stage, this is less

• Tomato leaf miner

  has many host plants and has caused crop damage in many parts of the world, including North Africa, Europe and northern Asia. In warmer regions, the insect [...] this can lead to burning in fruit such as tomato and melon. Loss of leaves also reduces yield. In full-grown plants of fruiting vegetable crops, however [...] this is usually of less significance. Seedlings and young plants can be completely destroyed as a result of the direct damage caused by leaf miners. Indirect

• 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 [...] plants can be completely destroyed as a result of the direct damage caused by leaf miners. In gerbera, the larva of the American serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza [...] toothed ovipositor, usually in the upper side of the leaf. Egg spots are oval and hard to distinguish from feeding spots. The larvae of Liriomyza trifolii are

• Crop Monitoring and Scouting

  traps and pheromones, growers can promptly detect the presence of pests and respond accordingly. Benefits of crop monitoring and scouting One of the most [...] monitoring and scouting In the world of agriculture and horticulture, the phrase "knowledge is power" couldn't be truer. Crop monitoring and scouting are [...] inspection of plants for signs of stress, pests and diseases. This practice proves invaluable for early issue identification and prompt action. By employing

• Carnation tortrix

  particularly troublesome in the culture of carnations and strawberries in greenhouses; the damage inflicted to strawberries and other crops grown outdoors [...] (with a dark brown band in the females and two red bands in the males) and the hindwings (bright orange) ensure that the moths of the species are easy to [...] observed on 160 cultivated and wild plant species – trees as well as herbaceous forms - of 42 plant families, and it is the major pests in carnation cultures