Pests Of Field Crops

Systematic Position, Identification, Distribution, Host Range,

Bionomics, Nature and Extent of Damage, Seasonal Abundance and
Management of Insect and Mite Pests and Vectors. Insect Pest
Scenario in Relation to Climate Change.

Introduction
Insects and mites are among the most important pests affecting
agricultural crops worldwide. They cause serious losses in crop yield and
quality by feeding on plant tissues and transmitting plant diseases. Proper
knowledge about their systematic position, identification, distribution, host
range, bionomics, damage symptoms, seasonal abundance, and
management strategies is essential for effective pest control. In addition,
climate change is altering pest population dynamics and increasing pest
outbreaks in many agricultural ecosystems.

1. Systematic Position
Systematic position refers to the scientific classification of insects and
mites according to taxonomy. It places organisms into hierarchical groups
such as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. This
classification helps in understanding the evolutionary relationships and
biological characteristics of pests.
Example: Rice yellow stem borer
Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Arthropoda
Class – Insecta
Order – Lepidoptera

Family – Crambidae
Genus – Scirpophaga
Species – Scirpophaga incertulas
Similarly, mites belong to:
Class – Arachnida

Subclass – Acari
Systematic classification is important because it helps scientists develop
specific pest management strategies based on the biological
characteristics of the pest.
2. Identification
Identification is the process of recognizing insect pests based on their
morphological and biological characteristics. Correct identification is very
important because different pests require different control measures.
Important features used for identification include:

• Body size and colour

• Shape and structure of wings
• Type of antennae
• Mouthparts
• Structure of larvae or nymphs
• Egg shape and arrangement

For example, aphids are small soft-bodied insects that are usually green,
yellow, or black in colour. They possess a pair of tube-like structures called
cornicles on the posterior end of the abdomen. Whiteflies are tiny insects
with white powdery wings, while mites are extremely small and usually
require a magnifying lens for identification.
3. Distribution
Distribution refers to the geographical occurrence of insect pests. Some
pests are found worldwide, while others are restricted to particular regions
depending on climatic conditions and host plant availability.
Pests can be categorized based on distribution as follows:

• Cosmopolitan pests – These pests occur throughout the world.

Example: Aphids, whiteflies, houseflies.

• Regional pests – These pests are restricted to specific geographical

regions.
Example: Rice yellow stem borer is mainly found in Asian countries.
Factors affecting pest distribution include:

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Rainfall
• Cropping patterns
• Availability of host plants
• Natural enemies
• Changes in these factors may cause pests to migrate to new areas.
4. Host Range
Host range refers to the number and types of plants on which a pest can
survive and reproduce.
Based on host range, pests are classified into three types.

Monophagous pests
These pests feed on only one species of plant.
Example: Rice stem borer feeds mainly on rice.
Oligophagous pests
These pests feed on plants belonging to the same family.

Example: Mustard aphid feeds on plants of the Brassicaceae family.

Polyphagous pests
These pests feed on many different plant species.
Example: Hairy caterpillar, white grub, and locusts.
Polyphagous pests are usually more dangerous because they can survive
on multiple crops.

5. Bionomics
Bionomics refers to the study of the life history, habits, and ecological
relationships of insects. It includes information about life cycle, feeding
behaviour, reproduction, and environmental requirements.

Most insects undergo four stages in their life cycle:

Egg → Larva or Nymph → Pupa → Adult
Insects with complete metamorphosis pass through egg, larva, pupa, and
adult stages, while insects with incomplete metamorphosis pass through
egg, nymph, and adult stages.
Example: Whitefly life cycle

Egg stage – Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves.

Nymph stage – Four immature stages occur where the insect feeds on
plant sap.
Adult stage – Winged insects capable of reproduction and dispersal.
Knowledge of bionomics helps determine the most vulnerable stage of the
pest for control measures.
6. Nature and Extent of Damage
Insect pests damage crops in different ways depending on their feeding
habits.
Chewing insects
These insects chew plant parts such as leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.

Example: Caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles.

Sucking insects
These insects suck plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. This
results in yellowing, curling, and drying of leaves.
Example: Aphids, jassids, whiteflies, thrips.

Boring insects
These insects bore into stems, fruits, or roots and feed internally.
Example: Stem borers and fruit borers.
Mining insects
These insects feed inside leaves creating tunnels or mines.

Example: Leaf miners.

The extent of crop damage depends on pest population density, crop
growth stage, and environmental conditions. Severe infestations can cause
significant yield losses.
7. Seasonal Abundance
Seasonal abundance refers to the period of the year when the population of
insect pests is highest.
Different pests are active during different seasons depending on climatic
conditions.
Examples:

• Aphids are abundant during winter.

• Whiteflies are more common in warm summer conditions.
• Stem borers increase during the rainy season.

Factors influencing seasonal abundance include:

• Temperature
• Relative humidity
• Rainfall
• Crop stage
• Presence of natural enemies
• Monitoring seasonal abundance helps farmers take timely pest
control measures.
8. Management of Insect and Mite Pests
Management of insect and mite pests is carried out through Integrated Pest
Management (IPM), which combines different control methods to reduce
pest population below economic threshold levels.

Cultural control
These practices reduce pest population by modifying agricultural practices.
Examples:

• Crop rotation
• Deep summer ploughing
• Use of resistant varieties
• Proper planting time
• Removal of crop residues

Mechanical control
Physical methods are used to remove pests.
Examples:

• Hand picking of insects

• Light traps
• Sticky traps
• Destruction of infested plant parts

Biological control
Natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens are used to
control pests.

Examples:

• Ladybird beetles feeding on aphids

• Trichogramma parasitoids controlling stem borer eggs
• Predatory mites controlling phytophagous mites
Chemical control

Insecticides and acaricides are used when pest population exceeds

economic threshold level.
Examples include:

• Imidacloprid
• Chlorpyriphos
• Lambda-cyhalothrin
Botanical control
Plant-derived pesticides are used for eco-friendly pest management.
Example: Neem oil and azadirachtin.

• Insect Pest Scenario in Relation to Climate Change

Climate change is becoming an important factor affecting insect pest
populations worldwide. Changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and
atmospheric carbon dioxide levels influence pest development, survival,
and distribution.

Effects of climate change on insect pests

Increase in pest population

Higher temperatures accelerate insect metabolism and reproduction,
leading to rapid population growth.
More generations per year
Shorter life cycles allow insects to complete more generations annually.
Expansion of geographical range
Pests can spread to new regions that previously had unsuitable climates.

Emergence of new pest problems

Some insects that were previously minor pests may become major pests
due to favorable environmental conditions.
Increase in vector-borne plant diseases
Insects such as aphids, whiteflies, and leafhoppers transmit plant viruses.
Climate change may increase the spread of these diseases.

Example: Rapid spread of fall armyworm in many parts of the world due to
favorable climatic conditions.
Conclusion
Insect and mite pests are major constraints in agricultural production. A
thorough understanding of their systematic position, identification,
distribution, host range, bionomics, nature of damage, seasonal
abundance, and management practices is essential for effective pest
control. Climate change is significantly influencing pest dynamics by
increasing pest populations, expanding their geographical distribution, and
enhancing disease transmission. Therefore, adoption of sustainable pest
management strategies such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is
essential for maintaining crop productivity and ecological balance.