ABSTRACT

There are a number of insect and mite pests that may be encountered during the process of growing horticultural crops in greenhouses, although the types will vary depending on geographic location and plant species grown. Insect and mite pests of greenhouse-grown horticultural crops have two primary types of feeding behaviors: piercing-sucking or chewing. Insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts feed within the phloem sieve tubes to obtain free amino acids (e.g., building blocks for proteins) that are essential for development and reproduction. In order to acquire the necessary quantities of amino acids, insects must consume large quantities of plant fluids, which contain an assortment of other materials in higher quantities than amino acids. Subsequently, the excess is excreted as honeydew, which is a clear sticky liquid that accumulates on plant parts such as leaves and stems. Insects with chewing mouthparts consume plant tissue (e.g., leaves, stems, flowers, or roots) during feeding, resulting in immediate and noticeable damage to plants.