Beetles

Coleoptera Beetles What are beetles? Beetles belong to the order Coleoptera, a well-known group of insects that are easily recognizable on account of their hard wing covers (elytra). With more than 35

Leaf miners

Diptera Leaf miners What are leaf miners? Leaf miners belong to the order Diptera (the true flies ) and form the family Agromyzidae. This is a family of small flies whose larvae tunnel into the leaves

Caterpillars

Lepidoptera Caterpillars What are caterpillars? Caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies and moths. Butterflies and moths form the order Lepidoptera, a very large group with more than 150,000 specie

Mealybugs and scales

Hemiptera Mealybugs and scales What are mealybugs & scales? Mealybugs (family Pseudococcidae), soft scales (family Coccidae) and armoured scales (family Diaspididae) form three important families with

Black tea thrips

Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis Black tea thrips General The black tea thrips , Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis , is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics; it also occurs in greenhouses of temperat

Boisduval scale

General These three species of Diaspi s are very similar in their appearance and damage symptoms. Here, the Boisduval scale is described in more detail, as it is the most important one. The Boisduval

Leek moth

General The leek moth is present throughout Europe. It is also found in some Asian countries and has been introduced to parts of Canada. The larvae of Acrolepiopsis assectella feed on cultivated Alliu

Large blackberry aphid

General The large blackberry aphid, Amphorophora rubi , is very similar to the large raspberry aphid Amphorophora idaei . As both aphid species are host specific the host plant is the simplest method

Shallot aphid

General The shallot aphid, Myzus ascalonicus , is extremely polyphagous. It feeds on crops such as onions, shallots, strawberries, lettuce, brassicas and potatoes and many ornamentals . The shallot ap

Leafhoppers

Biological control of leafhoppers Caterpillars are highly destructive pests that feed on leaves, stems and fruits, causing serious damage to greenhouse and field crops. Their feeding reduces photosynt