INSECT PEST DAMAGE ON CROP

Research estimates that annually up to 40percent of global crop production is lost to pest. Effective insect pest control in agriculture and crop growing agriculture is essential and key in agricultural production.

Pest species are cause for major concern, not only due to the potential loss of revenue due to crop damage but, if left untreated, they can also cause significant damage and lead to total crop loss.

Insects are a big threat to crops. They are responsible for two major kinds of damage to growing crops. The first one is direct injury to plants. These sucking insect pests have sharp, slender and pointed mouthparts that they use to pierce and suck plant sap and feed on plant leaves leaves, often causing yellowing or browning on plants, and possible wilting. Examples include aphids, scales, thrips and whiteflies.

The second is indirect damage, where the insects themselves do little or no harm, but transmit bacterial, viral or fungal infection to a crop. Aphids are one of the main insect culprits in this regard, carrying diseases from plant to plant often uncontrollably as numbers multiply.

Insect pest control

Recently there have been recognition of negative environmental impacts associated with over use of insecticides and pesticide Insect pest damages not only negatively have impact on the environment but also pose a threat to human health through the excessive use of pesticides on food crops.

In light to this, growers are encouraged to use intergraded pest Mangement (IPM) developed for use as a tool in the production of healthy, sustainable grown food, a strategic approach to crop pest control.

IPM aims to minimize pest populations by combining environmentally friendly pest control methods and economically viable practices to control insect damage.