Back to: Jss1 Agricultural Science (PVS)

Non insect  pests (Mammals and birds)

Non insect pests can cause significant damage to crops, gardens, and homes. Mammals and birds are common examples of non-insect pests that can cause problems. Here are some examples of non-insect pests and the damage they can cause:

1. Deer: Deers are herbivores that feed on crops, ornamental plants, and trees. They can cause significant damage to agricultural crops and gardens, and can also be a hazard to motorists.
2. Squirrels: Squirrels can be a nuisance in gardens and homes, as they often feed on bird feeders, gardens, and flower bulbs. They can also chew on electrical wires and cause damage to homes.
3. Raccoons: Raccoons are known for getting into garbage cans and creating a mess. They can also cause damage to gardens and homes and can carry diseases such as rabies.
4. Birds: Birds can cause damage to crops, especially fruit trees, by feeding on the fruit or pecking holes in the fruit. They can also create a mess with their droppings and can carry diseases.
5. Moles: Moles are burrowing mammals that can create tunnels in lawns and gardens, which can damage plants and make it difficult to mow the lawn.

There are various ways to control non-insect pests, including physical barriers, repellents, and trapping or hunting. However, it is important to ensure that any control measures used are humane and do not harm other wildlife.

Damage Done by Crop Pests

Crop pests, including insects, diseases, weeds, and rodents, can cause significant damage to crops and reduce crop yields. Here are some of the damages done by crop pests:

1. Reduced Yield: Pests can reduce the quantity of crop production by feeding on the plant, competing with it for nutrients and resources, or causing physical damage to the crop. This reduces the overall yield of the crop.
2. Reduced Quality: Crop pests can also reduce the quality of the crop, making it less desirable for consumers. For example, pests can cause blemishes, discolouration, or deformities in the crop that make it less appealing or nutritious.
3. Spreading Diseases: Some pests can spread diseases that affect the crop, such as viruses or fungal infections. These diseases can reduce the yield and quality of the crop, and in some cases, render it unfit for consumption.
4. Stunted Growth: Pests can stunt the growth of the crop, resulting in smaller plants and lower yields. This can be particularly damaging for crops that require a certain size or maturity to be harvested.
5. Economic Loss: Crop pests can cause significant economic losses for farmers and agricultural industries, as they reduce the value of the crop and increase production costs associated with pest control.
6. Environmental Damage: Some pest control methods, such as the use of pesticides, can have negative environmental impacts, such as polluting waterways or harming non-target organisms.
7. Reduced Nutrient Content: Some crop pests, such as nematodes and soil-borne diseases, can reduce the availability of nutrients in the soil and affect the uptake of nutrients by plants. This can result in lower nutrient content in the crop, which can lead to malnutrition in animals or humans who consume them.
8. Reduced Resistance to Stress: Pests can also reduce the crop’s ability to withstand environmental stresses, such as drought or extreme temperatures. This can make the plant more susceptible to further damage from pests or other environmental factors.
9. Reduced Seed Viability: Pests can damage the seeds of crops, reducing their viability and germination rate. This can result in lower crop yields in subsequent seasons.
10. Limitation of Crop Diversity: Crop pests can limit the diversity of crops that can be grown in a particular region, as certain crops may be more susceptible to pests than others. This can limit the availability of nutritious foods and reduce the resilience of agricultural systems to changing environmental conditions.

Description of Damage Done by Crop Pests

1. Leaf damage: Many pests, including insects and mites, feed on the leaves of crops, causing visible damage such as holes, ragged edges, and discolouration. This can affect the plant’s ability to produce energy through photosynthesis and reduce its overall health.
2. Stem damage: Pests such as borers and weevils feed on the stems of crops, causing structural damage that weakens the plant and can cause it to break or fall over. This can result in reduced yields and increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases.
3. Fruit damage: Fruit-feeding pests such as fruit flies and beetles can cause damage to fruit crops, reducing their market value or making them unsuitable for consumption. Damage may include feeding scars, discolouration, and internal damage.
4. Root damage: Pests such as nematodes, root maggots, and grubs can cause damage to the roots of crops, reducing their ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. This can result in stunted growth, reduced yields, and increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases.
5. Seed damage: Pests such as seed weevils and seed beetles can damage seeds, reducing germination rates and the overall quality of the crop.
6. Transmission of diseases: Some pests, such as aphids and whiteflies, can transmit viruses and other diseases to crops, leading to reduced yields, poor quality, and sometimes complete crop failure.
7. Storage damage: Pests such as weevils and moths can damage stored crops, leading to spoilage and loss of market value.
8. Boring damage: Some pests, such as borers, can bore into the stems, branches, and trunks of crops, causing structural damage that weakens the plant and can cause it to break or die. Boring damage can also create entry points for other pests and diseases to invade the plant.
9. Defoliation: Some pests, such as caterpillars and grasshoppers, can cause extensive defoliation of crops, stripping the plant of its leaves and reducing its ability to produce energy through photosynthesis. This can lead to reduced growth, yield, and quality, as well as increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases.
10. Galling: Some pests, such as nematodes and gall midges, can cause galls or abnormal growths on the leaves, stems, and roots of crops. Galling can interfere with the normal functioning of the plant and reduce its ability to absorb nutrients and water, leading to reduced growth, yield, and quality.

Effects of Crop Pests on Yield

Crop pests can have a variety of effects on crop yields, depending on the type of pest and the severity of the infestation. Some common effects of crop pests on yield include:

1. Reduced plant growth: Many pests feed on plant tissue, which can reduce the plant’s ability to grow and develop properly. This can lead to stunted growth, reduced stem and leaf production, and smaller overall plant size.
2. Reduced photosynthesis: Pests that feed on leaves can damage the plant’s ability to photosynthesize properly, which can reduce the amount of energy the plant produces and ultimately result in smaller yields.
3. Reduced nutrient uptake: Some pests, such as nematodes, can damage plant roots and reduce the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and reduced yields.
4. Reduced pollination: Pests that feed on flowers, such as aphids, can reduce the number of pollinators that visit the crop. This can lead to reduced pollination and lower yields.
5. Disease transmission: Some pests, such as insects and fungi, can transmit diseases to plants. These diseases can reduce the plant’s ability to grow and produce fruit, and can even kill the plant altogether.
6. Harvest damage: Pests can damage crops during harvest, making them unsuitable for sale or consumption. For example, pests can damage fruit by burrowing it into it, making it unattractive or inedible.
7. Reduced fruit/seed production: Some pests, such as fruit flies and weevils, can damage or destroy the reproductive structures of crops. This can result in reduced fruit or seed production, leading to lower yields.
8. Reduced quality: Pests can also affect the quality of crops, making them less desirable to consumers. For example, pests can cause discolouration, scarring, or deformities on fruits and vegetables, making them unattractive or difficult to process.
9. Increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases: When crops are weakened or stressed by pests, they may become more susceptible to other pests and diseases. This can create a vicious cycle of infestations that further reduce yields.
10. Economic losses: Crop pests can result in significant economic losses for farmers and the agricultural industry as a whole. In addition to the direct costs of pest management, farmers may also lose income due to reduced yields or lower prices for lower-quality crops. These losses can have ripple effects throughout the local and global economy.
11. Reduced fruit/seed production: Some pests, such as fruit flies and weevils, can damage or destroy the reproductive structures of crops. This can result in reduced fruit or seed production, leading to lower yields.
12. Reduced quality: Pests can also affect the quality of crops, making them less desirable to consumers. For example, pests can cause discolouration, scarring, or deformities on fruits and vegetables, making them unattractive or difficult to process.
13. Increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases: When crops are weakened or stressed by pests, they may become more susceptible to other pests and diseases. This can create a vicious cycle of infestations that further reduce yields.
14. Economic losses: Crop pests can result in significant economic losses for farmers and the agricultural industry as a whole. In addition to the direct costs of pest management, farmers may also lose income due to reduced yields or lower prices for lower-quality crops. These losses can have ripple effects throughout the local and global economy.

Effect of Crop Pest on Yield

Crop pests can have a variety of effects on crop yields, depending on the type of pest and the severity of the infestation. Some common effects of crop pests on yield include:

1. Reduced plant growth: Many pests feed on plant tissue, which can reduce the plant’s ability to grow and develop properly. This can lead to stunted growth, reduced stem and leaf production, and smaller overall plant size.
2. Reduced photosynthesis: Pests that feed on leaves can damage the plant’s ability to photosynthesize properly, which can reduce the amount of energy the plant produces and ultimately result in smaller yields.
3. Reduced nutrient uptake: Some pests, such as nematodes, can damage plant roots and reduce the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and reduced yields.
4. Reduced pollination: Pests that feed on flowers, such as aphids, can reduce the number of pollinators that visit the crop. This can lead to reduced pollination and lower yields.
5. Disease transmission: Some pests, such as insects and fungi, can transmit diseases to plants. These diseases can reduce the plant’s ability to grow and produce fruit, and can even kill the plant altogether.
6. Harvest damage: Pests can damage crops during harvest, making them unsuitable for sale or consumption. For example, pests can damage fruit by burrowing it into it, making it unattractive or inedible.
7. Reduced fruit/seed production: Some pests, such as fruit flies and weevils, can damage or destroy the reproductive structures of crops. This can result in reduced fruit or seed production, leading to lower yields.
8. Reduced quality: Pests can also affect the quality of crops, making them less desirable to consumers. For example, pests can cause discolouration, scarring, or deformities on fruits and vegetables, making them unattractive or difficult to process.
9. Increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases: When crops are weakened or stressed by pests, they may become more susceptible to other pests and diseases. This can create a vicious cycle of infestations that further reduce yields.
10. Economic losses: Crop pests can result in significant economic losses for farmers and the agricultural industry as a whole. In addition to the direct costs of pest management, farmers may also lose income due to reduced yields or lower prices for lower-quality crops. These losses can have ripple effects throughout the local and global economy.