Rochelle Jean R.

Sarino
 Uni
t02 Insect Pests

Modu
le 02 Insect Pest

 Define the insect and pests.

 Explain the control methods,

biological, damage and control in
insect pests.

 Describe various insect pests in fruits

and vegetables.

 Enumerate the insect pest.

 Apply the control methods in real life

situations.

1st Sem SY
Reporter: Rochelle Jean R. Sarino 2024-2025
Instructions :Answer the questions ina 1/4 sheet of paper. Choose the best answer.

1. What is pest?
a. A creature that damages our plants, fruits and vegetables, and can be harmful to humans.
b. A big insect that kills human.
c. A big animal who loves to grow in the land.

2. What is a one example of a pest?

a. Cabbage Webworm b. Lion c. Aligator

3. Why is it important to take care of our vegeables, fruits or plants from the pest?
a. To find out that pests is important in our vegetables, plants or fruits.
b. To immediately get rid of the pests so our stocks can grow healthy.
c. To learn how to kill pests

4. What method do we need to follow to take care of our plants?

a. Control Method
b. Assessment Method
c. None of the above

5. What is biology ?
a. The study of the domesticated animals and plants that farmers raise for commercial purposes..
b. The process of farmers in commercial purposes.
c. The study of a research in commercial purposes.

ANSWER KEY

1. A
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. A
Part IV. Insect Pests

The destructive insects affect the yield of vegetable crops by feeding on the leaves, sucking the cell
sap, and in some cases carrying disease-causing organisms which are transferred to other plants. As a
result, the area for photosynthesis is reduced, plants are curled, and blemishes such as, fruit
discoloration, and perforations on heads and fruits appear. These lead to a considerable reduction in
yield and quality of vegetables.

Control Methods
There are several ways
to control insects satisfactorily, but the first thing to do is to identify which of these insects are beneficial
and which are destructive. The following control methods are recommended:

Mechanical and Cultural Methods

-These are the oldest methods of insect control They are used to directly destroy the insect, interfere
with the normal biological processes of the insect, or make the environment unpleasant for the insect.
These methods are the following:

1. Sanitation- The main objective of this method is to make the production area clean and free of
materials where the insects are likely to live and multiply after the harvest of the vegetables.

2. Crop rotation—Vegetables should not always be grown in the same area where Infestation has
occurred. Do not plant immediately after plowing to minimize damage, as grubs may be prevalent during
this stage of land preparation.

3. Cultural practices- These comprise the different field operations in crop protection. To effectively
control insects, these operations must promote favorable growth of the vegetables. Other practices are
transplanting instead of direct seeding and cultivating the soil to injure or kill insects and weeds.

4. Use of physical barriers, traps, handpicking, and in some cases use of soap and detergent sprays to
injure or kill soft-bodied insects, such as mites, aphids, and thrips.

Biological Control
-This method makes use of living organisms, such as parasites, predators, microbial insecticides, and
even birds to reduce the insect population below the economic level. The use of resistant cultivars is also
a kind of biological control that minimizes undesirable side effects.
Insect Pests of Tomato

Tomato Fruit Worm

The tomato fruit worm is one of the most destructive pests of tomatoes. It attacks a wide range of
crop plants including cotton, tobacco, corn, sorghum, sunflower, soybean, okra, pepper, and eggplant

Biology. The adult female lays eggs singly on the upper leaf surface. Egg incubation lasts for about
eight days. The newly hatched larva leeds on the foliage first, then descends and attacks tomato
fruits. The insect feeds while hiding inside the fruit, undergoing five to six larval instars in 15-35 days.

Damage. Foliage-feeding by newly emerged larvae does not cause any significant damage, but fruit
boring results in yield loss of up to 70%.

Control. This polyphagous insect has developed resistance to many commonly used chemicals.
Therefore, when choosing a chemical spray, its efficacy against the pest should be tested first. Planting
tomatoes near cotton or corn plants should also be avoided to reduce heavy insect infestation.

Insect Pests of Tomato

Cotton Aphid
Cotton aphid is a major pest of tomatoes, especially in the cool, dry autumn and winter seasons.

Biology. This pest reproduces without fertilization. A single female produces 20-140 nymphs.

Damage. The aphids cause injury by sucking the plant sap. Heavily infested plants appear stunted and
leaves curl down at the edges. This insect also transmits viruses.

Control. Several species of coccinellid beetles and syrphid prey on aphids. However, these natural
enemies are found mostly where the aphid population is high, indicating thatthe damage is already
significant and control may no longer be effective.
Dimethoate and Insect Pests of Crucifers

Diamondback Moth is the most destructive insect pest of all crucifers. It is distributed worldwide
and is becoming a serious pest in other areas.

Biology. The brown adult moths are about 8-12 mm long. They bear white spots on the forewings,
which appear like diamond patterns when the wings are folded. Adult females lay small yellowish
eggs singly on the underside of the leaves. Eggs hatch in two to three days. The newly hatched larva
bores into the plant tissue from the underside of leaves and feeds in these tunnels. The adults
emerge in four to five days.

Damage. The larvae feed from the underside of leaves, leaving intact a transparent cuticular layer on
the upper leaf surface. Damaged leaves are riddled with holes and the produce becomes unfit for
human consumption. Yield is lost when infestation occurs in the early growth stage.

Control. In recent years, it has become difficult to control this pest by readily available chemical
insecticides because the insect has developed resistance to most of them. However, biological
control measures may help reduce the population and damage by this pest.

Cabbage Webworm
The cabbage webworm, is a destructive pest of crucifers that causes serious damage in hot and
humid summer months.

Biology. The adult cabbage webworm lays eggs on the foliage of cruciferous seedlings soon after
transplanting. The full-grown caterpillar forms a cocoon on basal leaves in the feeding tunnel. The
pupal period lasts for six days and a full cycle is completed in 15-25 days.

Damage. The caterpillar feeds on the growing point of the seedling. If a growing plant survives this
attack it forms several small unmarketable heads. Control measures should be adopted soon after
transplanting when the growing points of the plants are still open, otherwise, replanting of the crop
is necessary. Once head formation begins and the growing point is covered, this pest can no longer
cause any significant yield loss.
Control. Seedlings should be covered with nylon net cages to prevent the adult webworm from laying
eggs on the foliage. In areas where the pest is endemic, insecticides must be sprayed within a week
after transplanting and repeated once a week for four weeks to kill the larvae before they cause
damage.

Striped Flea Beetle

The major hosts of the striped flea beetle are cruciferous vegetables, such as common cabbage,
cauliflower, and Chinese cabbage. This occurs mainly during the cool, dry season.

Biology. Female adults lay eggs in the soil near the plant. The larvae live in the soil and feed on the
roots and other plant debris. Pupation also takes place in the soil. The adults have yellow stripes on
their black elytra (brewing) and jump in a fly-like manner.

Damage. The adults feed on the foliage of young cruciferous plants producing small round holes all
over the leaf surface and sometimes causing seedlings to die. Larval needs rarely cause significant
damage, but a large number of larvae feeding on the roots may result in wilting of plants.

Control. The adults can be controlled easily by spraying contact insecticides. In fields where the
striped flea beetle is endemic, spot application of carbofuran 3G in transplanting holes before planting
will reduce larval population.

Imported Cabbage Worm

The imported cabbage is a widespread pest of crucifers in most subtropical and temperate countries.

Biology. Tiny yellow eggs are laid singly on both sides of the leaf surface and are hatched in about a
week. The larvae are velvety, green pubescent caterpillars. The larval period lasts for two to three
weeks. Pupation takes place on the leaves and lasts for about ten days. The adults are white
butterflies, tinged with yellow and with several black spots on the wings.

Damage. The larvae feed on the leaves and may completely skeletonize the foliage, thus reducing the
quality and quantity of the yield.

Control. This insect can be easily controlled by Bacillus thuringiensis spray.

Cabbage Looper
The cabbage looper, which is not common in the tropics, infests crucifers in the cool, dry autumn and
winter months. Alternate hosts are beans, including soybeans.

Biology. Female moths lay dome-shaped, pale green eggs on the crucifers. Soon after hatching the larva
start feeding on the foliage. Population takes place in the soil and the adult emerges in seven to 10 days.

Damage. Larvae feed on the foliage of crucifers and skeletonize the leaves. As a result of their feeding,
the quality and yield of cabbage are reduced especially when the damage occurs before the heading
stage. Once the head is formed, the insect feeds on outer leaves which rarely affects the yield.

Control. This pest, being a surface feeder, can be controlled easily by the application of recommended
contact insecticides. Formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis can also give satisfactory control of cabbage
looper in the larval stage.

Insect Pests of Mungbean

Bean Flies
Three species of bean flies, Ophiomyia phaseoli (Tryon), Ophiomyia centrosematis (De Meijere), and
Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner) are very destructive pests of mungbean in tropical to subtropical Asia.
The nature of their damage, biology, and control measures are similar to those described for soybean
pests.

Pod Borers
At least live species of insects infest mungbean pods when they are green. The species Maruca testulalis,
Etiella zinckenella, Heliothis armigera. Ostrinia furnacalis and Porthesia taiwana are polyphagous and
mungbean is not a primary host. H. armigera and O. furnacalis are major pests of corn and attack
mungbean only when it is planted near corn plants.

Taiwana is a pest of several vegetables and soybeans. It attacks mungbean pods when these crops are
not readily available. E. zinckenella attacks lima beans primarily and soybeans and infests mungbeans in
their absence.
Biology. The female lays eggs on leaves, terminal shoots, flowers, or pods. Yellow oval eggs are laid
singly or in batches. They hatch in two to three days. The larva can be distinguished by the two pairs of
dark spots on each white body segment on the back.

Damage. The larva of this pest feeds inside the mungbean pod. It prefers to feed on pods which are
stuck together or on pods which are touching the leaves.

Bruchids
Among scores of bruchid species (Coleoptera: family Bruchidae) that infest food legumes in the
tropics, Callosobruchus chinensis, maculatus and analis are economic importance. The first two
species are native to Asia and Africa. Cowpea and pigeon peas also serve as their principal hosts. C.
analis, an Asian native, is now found in Africa where it is a pest of cowpea. Although the bruchids,
commonly called pulse beetles or cowpea weevils, attack mungbean in the field and storage, it is the
infestation of stored grains that results in the greatest loss.

Biology. In general, the life history of all three species follows that of a typical coleopterous insect and
there is very little difference among them. Usually, one to three eggs are laid on individual seeds. Eggs
are covered with a sticky substance which fastens the eggs to the seed surface. Soon after hatching,
the larva makes a hole in the seed coat, just underneath the spot where the egg is laid, and enters the
kernel where it feeds concealed inside the seed. When the eggs are laid on the pods, the larva feeds
and pupates inside the developing seed.

Damage. In the field, adult bruchids lay eggs on maturing pods and young larvae immediately alter
emerging, gnaw through the pod cover, and bores into the developing seeds. As the seeds enlarge, the
entry holes are closed, so the seeds appear normal at harvest time. However, al storage time, the
adults emerge and lay eggs on the neighboring seeds. This initiates the secondary intestation which is
much more damaging.

Control. The nature and extent of bruchid damage described above entail sound control practices to
protect the harvest from ravages of the bruchids, especially in storage. The use of insecticides on
small-scale storage is not advisable since the grains are stored for a short duration and often used for
family consumption. For bruchid control, therefore, clean storage facilities coupled with nonchemical
control measures are necessary. These measures include drying of seeds before storage, use of
nontoxic chemicals such as vegetable oils, and seed extracts.
Insect Pests of Soybean
Stem Feeders
Agromyzid Flies
Agromyzia flies, commonly called bean flies, are the most destructive stem feeders. In tropical areas of
Asia, four species. Ophiomyia phaseoli (Tryon), O. centrosematis (de Meijere), Melanagromyza sojae
((Zehntner), and M. dolichostigma (de Meijere), are the most destructive. While the first three species
feed on the stems of young seedlings. M. dolichostigma feeds on young shoots when the plants are
four weeks or older.

Biology.
Phaseoli- The adults are tiny black flies usually 2-3 mm long. Oviposition takes place in young leaves or
in cotyledons. The eggs hatch in two to four days. The larva mines into the leaves, stems, and
cotyledons.

Centrosematis-Oviposition of this insect takes place in the hypocotyl and stem, not in the leaves. The
larva feeds just underneath the epidermis of the stem and part of the tap root. It pupates in the
epidermis where it feeds.

Sojae- Oviposition takes place in the leaves and soft portions of the stem. The larva hatches after two
to three days and immediately bores into the nearest vein. It feeds through the petiole into the stem,
then bores down to the root and then again upwards until it is full-grown. It pupates deep within the
stem.

Dolichostigma Eggs are laid on the underside of the leaves. They hatch within two to three days. The
larva mines into the leaf tissue and then into the stem. Pupation takes place in the damaged shoots.
Usually one maggot is found per damaged shoot. The larva stage lasts for nine days and pupal stage
lasts for about six to eight days.
Girdle Beetle -is a serious soybean pest in Central India. It also attacks cowpea, bitter gourd, chillies,
mungbean, and black gram.

Biology. The female lays eggs singly on stems or petioles. They hatch in three to five days. The newly
emerged larvae start feeding inside the stem and make them hollow. The total life cycle is completed in
40-60 days.

Damage. The invested twigs wither and dry. The yield loss caused by the pest varies with the plant
growth stage when the infestation occurs. When the pest attacks at the
seedling stage, plant mortality may reach up to 75%.

Control. At present spraying of insecticide is the only control measure used against this pest.
Endosulfan, dimethoate, and methyl demeton sprays are recommended.

Insect Pest in Sweet Potato

Defoliators
Many insects, mainly Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, insects soybean foliage in tropical and subtropical
Asia. The following are major foliage feeders that cause significant damage and yield loss.

Spodoptera litura-The common cutworm infests soybean throughout tropical and subtropical Asia. It
also attacks cabbage, eggplant, munghean, maize and tomato.

Biology. Eggs are laid in batches on the undersurface of the leaves. Incubation period ranges from three
to seven days. The newly emerged caterpillars feed immediately on the oviposition site and completely
skeletonize the leaflet. These larvae later migrate and feed on other parts of the plant including the
pods. Larval period lasts for 14-21 days. They pupate in soil or plant refuse and adults merge 7-12 days
later. Adult moths are brownish with silvery markings on the forewings.

Spodoptera Exigua
In addition to soybean, this pest also attacks cabbage, cotton, eggplant, maize, mungbean, and tomato.
Biology. S. exigua lays eggs in batches on the soybean foliage. The eggs hatch in two to three days.
Pupation takes place in the soil or plant debris and lasts for six to eight days. The entire life cycle is
completed in four to five weeks.
Plusia Festucae
This semi-looper is an important pest in India and another species.

Biology. The eggs are laid singly on the leaves. In three to four days, the pale greenish larvae
emerge and feed immediately on tender green foliage. In the case of severe infestation, the plant
can be completely defoliated. The entire life cycle is completed in approximately 27 days.
Hedylepta Indicata
This insect attacks soybean in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

Biology. The eggs are laid mainly on the upper leaf surfa. The newly hatchedlarvae feed on the
leaves and scrape the leaf laminae, leavir a univ a membrane coat.
Damage. Heavy damage is noticeable from a distance by the presence of silvery to yellow leaf
masses.
Lamprosema Indicata
This insect is another defoliator.

Biology. The adult female lays eggs singly or in groups of five on the foliage. The first instar larvae
fold leaves around themselves and feed while hiding in the mesophyll tissue, resulting in an intact
papery skeleton of folded leaves.
Damage. The nature of damage by this pest is similar to the one caused by H. indicata.
Pod Feeders

Stink Bugs
- Phytophagous stink bugs are an important group of pod-infesting insect pests of soybean and other
legumes throughout the world. The following species infest soybeans in tropical and subtropical Asia.

Nezara viridula
The green soldier bug Nezara viridula, is one of the most important insect pests of legumes. This pod
feeder attacks sweet potato, cabbage, tobacco, rice, corn, sugarcane, cotton, okra, and lettuce.

Biology Eggs are laid in masses. Tile egg incubation period ranges from four to six days. Each instar is
characterized hy distinct shape, size, color pattern, and number of spots found on the dorsal surface
of the thorax and abdomen. Males can be differentiated from females by the presence of a notch and
two brown spots on the ventral surface of the terminal end of the abdomen. These features are
absent in females.

Riptortus Clavatus
- Like N. viridula this species is also polyphagous and reportedly injures the seeds of about 30 species
belonging to five families: Leguminosae, Gramineae. Convolvulaceae, Rosaceae, and Pedaliaceae. It is
confined to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Biology. Adult females lay eggs on foliage, stems, and pods of soybean plants. The eggs are laid singly
and are scattered over the plant. They hatch in about six days.

Riptortus Linearis
- This species is widespread in tropical and subtropical Southeast Asia and is economically as
important as R. Clavatus.

Biology. Eggs are laid in clusters on leaves and pods. The egg stage ranges from six to seven days.
Piezodous Hybrid
- This pentatomidae damages soybean in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. It is economically less
important than the other stink bug species.

Biology. The cylindrical-shaped eggs are laid in double rows on the leaves. Average egg incubation
time is four days. The newly hatched nymphs undergo five instars in 14- 22 days.

Damage. Both nymphs and adults of stink bugs damage soybean by sucking the juice from the
developing seeds. As a result, both yield and quality of soybean are reduced. In certain cases these
insects transmit microorganisms which reduce the quality and viability of soybean seeds.

Control. Collection of eggs, nymphs, and adults in the field and application of insecticides are
effective ways to control these pests. Several species of parasites and predators have been reported
to be important biological agents in regulating stink bug populations. Planting resistant varieties and
short-duration cultivars tend to avoid stink bug attack to some extent.

Vine Borers
Although several insect species feed on sweet potato vines, only Megastes grandalis Guen and
Omphisa anastomasalis Guen cause significant yield loss.

Megastes grandalis
This vine borer is found in Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad, and Tobago.

Biology. The eggs are laid singly or in rows on leaf petioles or on either side of the leaves. After one
week, the freshly emerged larva bites the surface of the vine and bores through the stem just above
the ground.

Damage. The larva feeds insirve the underground part of the stem which bears the tuberous roots.
During the dry sear on such damage causes stunted growth and shedding of leaves. Tuberous root
may not develop. If roots are formed, the larva enters through the roots and leaves hidden tunnels
which are visible cries when such roots are cut open.
Omphisa anastomosalis
-This vine borer is distributed in Asia and the Pacific.

Biology. Eggs are laid singly on leaves and stems and are hatched after five to six days. The caterpillar
tunnels through the vines for about 35 days. Then, it constructs caterpillars are large and voracious
feeders. The larval period lasts for three to four weeks. Pupation takes place in an earthen cocoon in
the soil. Pupation lasts for about a month.

Damage. In some parts of Africa, this pest can cause serious defoliation and yield loss between 20%
and 50%.

Control. Very little information exists on the control measures for this pest. On small- scale planting,
collection and destruction of the larvae and plowing of infested field soon after harvest to expose the
pupae are suggested. If insecticide application becomes ne- cessary, a relatively safer and cheaper
chemical, like malathion, will control this pest.

Euscepes postfasciatus
-The West Indian sweet potato weevil, is found in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Fuji, Tonga, and Okinawa .

Biology. Eggs are laid in shallow pits in tuberous roots or stems and are covered with secretions which
seal them from outside. After six to eight days o incubation, the larva bores directly from the
oviposition pit into the root or stem. Larval period lasts for 18-30 days. Adult insects are sturdy and
can survive without food in the soil for several months. They can also withstand considerable periods
of flooding.

Damages. Adults leed on the vines or rocis. The larva bores down into the roots or stems from the
oviposition site and creates winding tunnels which are packed lidly with frass. At times the entire roof
is riddled with holes filled with rassDamaged vines darken and damaged main stems become swollen,
malformed, and cracked.

Control. Since the biology and nature of damage of all three weevil species are similar, it is possible to
control these pests by adopting common control strategies.
SUMMARY:

The destructive insects affect the yield of vegetable crops by feeding on the leaves, sucking the cell
sap, and in some cases carrying disease-causing organisms which are transferred to other plants. So,
we have the control methods that will help us prevent insect pets from destroying our fruits and
vegetables.
The following control methods are recommended:

Mechanical and cultural methods are the oldest methods of insect control. They are used to directly
destroy the insect, interfere with the normal biological processes of the insect, make the environment
unpleasant for the insect.

These methods are the following: Sanitation, Crop rotation, Cultural and use of physical barriers and
traps and the biological control that makes use of living organisms, such as parasites.

Insects are a diverse and abundant group of organisms, playing crucial roles in ecosystems. However, a
small percentage of insect species are considered pests, causing problems for humans, crops, and
domestic animals.

They have different biology, control and damage that we are unable to control. Tomato Fruit Worm,
Cotton Aphid, Diamondback Moth, Cabbage Webworm, Striped Flea Beetle, Imported Cabbage Worm,
Pod Borers, Bruchids and a lot of insects were mentioned that sometimes look the same, but different
characteristics that will surely destroy our plants.

Insect pests pose challenges to human activities, but effective management requires a
comprehensive approach that considers both the ecological roles of insects and the potential impacts
of different control methods. By understanding insect biology , we can develop more sustainable and
environmentally friendly strategies for managing insect pests that will help us maintaining the health
of our stocks.
Instructions: Read the question carefully and write the best answer at the back of
your 1/4 paper that you had earlier.

1. What method is it that makes the production area clean and free of materials?
a. Crop Rotation
b. Sanitation
c. Cultural Practices

2. What method is it that makes use of living organisms, such as parasites,

predators, and microbial insecticides?
a. Biological Control
b. Crop Rotation
c. Sanitation

3. What insect pest attacks a wide range of crop plants including cotton, tobacco,
corn, sorghum, sunflower, soybean, okra, pepper, and eggplant?
a. Tomato Fruit Worm
b. Mungbean
c. Cotton Aphid

4. What insect pest is the major pest of tomatoes, especially in the cool, dry autumn
and winter seasons?
a. Cotton Aphid
b. Mungbean
c. Tomato Fruit Worm

5. What insect pest that is a destructive pest of crucifers that causes serious damage in hot and humid
summer months?
a. Cabbage Webworm
b. Cotton Aphid
c. Tomato Fruit Worm

6. Which is not common in the tropics, infests crucifers in the cool, dry autumn and winter months?
a. Cabbage Looper
b. Earthworm
c. Cabbage Webworm

7. What insect pest is commonly called bean flies, and are the most destructive stem feeders?
a. Agromyzid Flies
b. Bruchids
c. Hedylepta Indicata
 8. What vine borer is it that found in Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad, and Tobago?
a. Megastes grandalis b. Hedylepta Indicata
c. Omphisa anastomasalis

9. What pentatomid is it that damages soybean in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand?
a. Piezodous hybrid
b. Omphisa anastomosis
c. Cabbage Worm

10. What semi-looper is it that is an important pest in India and another species?
a. Plusia orichae
b. Piezodous hybrid
c. Cabbage Worm

ANSWER KEY:

1. B
2. A
3. A
4. A
5. A
6. A
7. A
8. A
9. A
10. A
Instructions:
Group yourselves into four.
Research and print out some insect pests in a A4 bondpaper, put the name on it, define what is it and
how it can harm our fruit, vegetables, or plants. Also, put who participates in making your assignment.

Criteria:

Content 15

Teamwork 10

Neatness 5

Total Points 30
Instructions:

Write in a 1 whole sheet of paper the things that you’ve learned in our topic
and how can you prevent pests that slowly eating or destroying your fruits,
vegetables or plants.