Insects Pests and Their Management

Abstract

Well-fertilized and irrigated greenhouse crops are, however, often more sensitive to pests, like aphids, whiteflies, and leaf miners. The environment is generally warm, humid, and wind-free inside the greenhouse which promotes the fast growth of most crops, but it is also ideal for the development of herbivorous insects. Some of the important pest groups affecting greenhouse crops are aphids (Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii), caterpillars (Spodoptera spp., Helicoverpa armigera), leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii), mites (Tetranychus urticae, Polyphagotarsonemus latus), thrips (Thrips tabaci, Scirtothrips dorsalis ), and whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Bemisia tabaci). Insects that enter the greenhouse can transmit virus diseases (like tomato spotted wilt virus) and can carry bacteria and fungi as well. Management strategies involving avoidance, early detection, and curative measures are discussed.