Introduction to Pest Science

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Introduction to Pest Science
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Pests

• Interact with humans when they are finding food,
  fiber, shelter or space
• Can be vectors for disease
• Associated with all components of society
• The whole biological spectrum is represented by
  pests

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Pests Cont

• Entire biological spectrum represented
• Proper identification is essential, without it
  control is not possible
• Staggering amount of time, energy, and money is
  used to combat problems
• Losses of food to our world food supply, is a
  disastrous

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Plant Pests - Invertebrates(animals without
backbones)

• Insects - 3 body parts
• Ticks, mites, spiders - 2 body parts and 8 legs
• Nematodes - unsegmented worms
• Snails Slugs - mollusks that prefer cool, moist
  surroundings

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Plant pests - Weeds(any plant growing out of
place)

• Adapt will to local climates and soils
• Compete with cultivated plants
• Produce large amounts of seeds
• Can remain dormant in soil for 20 years (seeds)
• Persistent and difficult to eradicate

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Plant Pests - Weeds cont

• Compete with plants for water, nutrients, light
  and space
• Interfere with farming operations
• Harbor insect and plant diseases
• Can be toxic to livestock
• Identification can be done by colored pictures

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Plant Pests - Disease

• Microscopic or Submicroscopic - difficult to
  identify
• Must be identified by symptoms present
• Bacteria, fungi and viruses are pathogens of
  higher plants