Pests

Insects are a large group of small animals whose bodies are segemented into three parts, the head, the thorax, and abdomen; three pairs of legs; and one or two pairs of wings in the adult stage. The insects constitute a very large group of plant pests.

Insects and mites may be divided into two categories: chewing insects and piercing-sucking/rasping-lapping insects, based on the damage that they do to the plants. Chewing insects leave holes in the leaves, stems, fruits, and roots, while piercing-sucking and rasping-lapping insects and mites cause necrotic or chlorotic spots in the leaves and stems.

In the garden we allow beneficial insects to control the bulk of pests. By including host plants for adult stages of beneficial insects, we create a habitat for these helpers to prosper.