Scale insects refer to a large group of insects common on ornamental trees, vegetable crops, plants, and shrubs. They belong to the superfamily Coccoidea. Hard or armored scales (family Diaspididae), feeling scales (Eriococcidae), soft scales (family Coccidae), ground pearls, or margarodid scales (family Margarodidae), mealybugs (family Pseudococcidae), and other minor groupings are among the more…
Spider mites or red spider mites are common pest problems on many plants. Many crops are host to spider mites; cassava, okra, papaya, bele, tomato, sweet potato, eggplant, beans, taro, cucumber, squash, other cucurbits, many ornamentals, and weeds are also hosts. Spider mites are a type of arachnid, but they are not insects, relatives of…
Maize (Zea mays L) is one of the most versatile emerging crops that originated in Mexico and Central America and belongs to the family Poaceae. Maize is known as the queen of cereals as it has the highest genetic yield potential among cereals and has wider adaptability under varied agro-climatic conditions. It is cultivated in…
Thrips (Thysanoptera) are very small, cigar-shaped insects widespread throughout the world belonging to the order Thysanoptera. The fringed wings found on adult stages in this order, wings are narrow, small, and surrounded by tiny hairs. Thrips are one of the smallest orders of insects therefore they are difficult to see with the unaided eye, with…
Mealybugs are worldwide pests of ornamental plants grown indoors (greenhouse) and outdoors (scape environments and conservatories). As well as both greenhouse and field-grown ornamentals are commonly attacked by mealybugs. Mealybugs feed on a wide range of plants. Mealybugs are difficult to manage with insecticides and the host plant range depends on the particular mealybug species….
Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is one of the serious diseases of bananas. It stunts the plants while reducing yield severely. The disease is caused by a virus called Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), considered to be the most economically destructive of the viral diseases and can contribute up to 100 % yield reduction. Disease…
