The Horticulture production has become a key driver for economic development
in many of the states in the country. India is globally, second largest producer
of fruits and vegetables and is the largest producer of mango, banana, coconut,
cashew, papaya, pomegranate etc. and also largest producer & exporter of
spices. Pests may also cause contamination of fruit at harvest, reducing its
marketability. Pests on horticultural crops include insects and mites, nematodes,
weeds and vertebrates. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is based on thorough
consideration of ecological and economic factors. The pest, its biology and the
type of damage it causes are some of the factors that determine which control
strategies and methods, if any, should be used. Pest management decisions represent
a compromise between the value of the product, the extent of the pest damage,
the relative effectiveness and cost of the control measures, and the impact on the
environment. Pesticide application refers to the practical way in which pesticides
(including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, or nematode control agents) are
delivered to their target pests. Public concern about the use of pesticides has
highlighted the need to make this process as efficient as possible, in order to
minimize their release into the environment and human exposure. This book
provides students with a clear and systematic working manual for Insect Pests
of Vegetable, Ornamental and spice Crops besides providing a clear explanation
of insect’s identification and damage symptoms.