Which insects are pests

Serious damage can be caused by very few infected insects. Aphids are the only vectors of barley yellow-dwarf virus of cereals, which drastically reduces grain yields. Leafhoppers transmit aster yellows, which affects not only asters but also lettuce, celery, carrots and potatoes. Aphids also transmit virus diseases of potatoes, a continuing threat to production in eastern Canada.

Canadian forests are composed mainly of a few tree species, and these stands are normally subject to attack by insects, especially when they reach maturity. Insects eg, spruce budworm, hemlock looper and various species of bark beetles kill old trees to make way for regeneration.

They now compete with man for forest resources. Since , pesticides have been used to prevent tree death and to maintain sustained tree-harvesting programs. Unfortunately, spraying has prolonged the outbreaks so that some parts of these forests must be sprayed yearly.

Bark beetles occupy a similar position in western forests, normally attacking overaged or weakened trees. The interior of lumber, poles and wooden portions of buildings may be hollowed out to form nests by black carpenter ants. In addition to serious structural damage, these large ants can be household pests, feeding on moist foodstuffs and sometimes damaging fabrics and paper products.

Termites can cause serious structural damage to buildings. Borror, D. An introduction to the study of insects. Saunders, Philadelphia. Sovak, J. Insects Coloring Book. New York, United States.

Dover Publications Inc. Turnock ,W. Or if you catch an occasional insect in your home, rather than squishing them or flushing them down the toilet, let them go free outside. They add value to the ecosystem and your yard or garden. While an occasional insect may not be a problem in the home, an infestation of a pest or insect is not something anyone wants to live with.

Safe and effective pest control methods by professionals can be used in the home to eliminate infestations. Traditional pesticides can be unsafe for use around children or pets. Eco-friendly pest control solutions that are safe for the whole family should be used by experienced pest control professionals. These professionals are knowledgeable about pests and can eliminate them safely and efficiently from the home. Are you experiencing a pest infestation in your home or on your property?

Our eco-friendly solutions offer the results you want while keeping you and your family safe. Aphids cluster on the tips of the shoots, sucking the sap from the plant, which reduces plant vigour.

Aphids can also spread viruses which can severely reduce yields and quality. A number of natural enemies such as lacewings and ladybugs will give some biological control. If required, control with sprays such as garlic extract or horticultural oils and horticultural soaps.

Sprays containing pyrethrum and piperonyl butoxide can also be used but crops can not be picked for one day after its use.

Caterpillars are usually the larval stages of moths or butterflies. They are normally hairless, with a long cylindrical body from 10—50mm long and range in colour. Caterpillars may attack leaves, stems, flowers, fruits and roots.

Green caterpillars of the large cabbage white butterfly and the small diamond-back cabbage moth can severely damage the leaves of the Brassica family which includes broccoli, cabbage, kale and cauliflower. Cluster caterpillars, woolly bear caterpillars and looper caterpillars will attack the leaves of most vegetables.

The eggfruit caterpillar bores into aubergine and the native budworm will bore into the fruit of many vegetables, especially, capsicums, tomatoes and sweet corn.