Economically significant pests of vegetable crops in Smederevska Palanka

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine insect pests on vegetable crops in Smederevska Palanka area. By using standard methods, equipment and tools, insect pests that caused significant and less significant damages have been determined on vegetable crops: pepper, tomato, cucumber, melon, zucchini, cabbage, pea, bean, spinach and beet at the arable area at the Institute for Vegetable Crops. The most significant insect pests, causing the most damages were Frankliniella occidentalis and Tuta absoluta, and also several species of aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae, Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, Aphis fabae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae), stink bugs (Nezara viridula, Eurydema spp.) and flea beetle (Phyllotreta spp.). These insects caused direct and indirect damages. The most significant damages have been noted in green houses due to favourable conditions for insect reproduction and sufficient food supplies.