Introduction to Crop Protection: Major Insect Pests

Abstract

The major quarantine pests identified recently on cut flowers include bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera spp.), leaf miner (Liriomyza sp.), white flies (mainly Bemisia tabaci), thrips (mainly western flower thrips – Frankliniella spp.), and fruit flies (Otieno, unpubl.). The greenhouse provides a modified environment which, in many ways, favours the proliferation of cut flower pests and diseases. During certain times of the year, day temperatures in the greenhouse may soar upto 26° -33°C which reduces the regeneration cycle for many pests.