What Are The Worst Pests For Agriculture?

The pests are harmful agents that can destroy entire crops if they are not treated in time. As a result, millionaire losses occur which hit the economies of countries hard. In this article we will reveal which are the worst pests for agriculture, showing you their most harmful characteristics.

From insects, fungi and bacteria to the well-known citrus canker , all are present in most Italian crops and have become a major problem for this economic sector.

What are parasites?

Parasites are harmful agents that act mainly on plants and cause an absolutely harmful action. From the first moment humans started growing something, they had to contend with these microorganisms.

In recent years, new mutations have emerged that further threaten crops. New viruses, fungi and bacteria, which are  much more resistant to chemicals and pesticides, are part of this sector and threaten to unbalance it.

Currently, some diseases believed to be eradicated and others new have appeared in the crops and crops of European farmers, particularly in Italy, Spain and France.

In fact, and from a health point of view, fruits and vegetables continue to arrive in our homes without quantity problems. This is because  some of the products come from outside, a factor that increases the risk of “importing” new parasites : but this is practically inevitable.

These microorganisms assume millionaire losses for the industry and a major imbalance for the economy of the countries:

• First of all, it is necessary to consider the general losses for fruits, vegetables and vegetables that can no longer be marketed due to the presence of one of these parasites.
• Secondly, it is then obliged to invest millions in research, to develop chemicals and treatments useful to fight and cope with various emergencies.

What are the worst pests for agriculture in Italy?

The worst pests for Italian agriculture range from bacteria and fungi to what is known as citrus canker. Some of these plagues have a very short history but, despite being recent, they cause very serious damage. Others are older and better known and unfortunately become more and more resistant to treatments that have become conventional.

1. Bacterial cancer of citrus fruits ( Xanthomonas citri )

As the name suggests, this plague mainly affects citrus fruits. It has been detected in recent years and appears more and more often today.

According to several farmers’ associations, no enough effective treatment for this pest has been found so far. The only effective alternative is to remove the trees that are in the affected perimeter, to avoid contagion.

2. Insects

Many insects, such as fire ants and grasshoppers, are also a major problem for crops around the world. Ticks, mosquitoes and snails are also extremely harmful; the latter feed on stems, flowers, leaves, roots and so on.

3. Olive fly ( Bactrocera oleae )

One of the worst pests for agriculture is known as the olive fly. In this case, the female lays eggs in the olive, and the larvae feed on the pulp.

As a result of this plague, the entire fruit is lost and, with it, the squeezing and oil that should result from it. Furthermore, if the infested olives do not fall, the risk is to produce a low quality oil.

4. Tick ( Coccus pseudomagnoliarum )

This pest  is found mainly in citrus fruits and settles on fruits or adheres to plant branches. When this happens, there is a reduction in the productivity of the trees and, as a result, the fruit is spoiled.

5. Mites

Until a few years ago, mites were not an undue concern for crops and agricultural activities. However, they are now a real headache for farmers.  They differ from insects because they have no wings.

6. Weevil

The weevil is, without a doubt, the most feared insect during the wheat harvest. This plague reproduces in the granaries, where the precious harvest is kept. The female deposits the eggs inside the grain and, subsequently, the larvae begin to feed on the starch and leave only when they reach adulthood.

7. Tomato phyllominator ( Tuta absoluta )

In this case we are talking about  a South American moth that has generated many problems in the production of tomatoes. In practice, it significantly accelerates the deterioration of tomatoes which, for obvious reasons, can no longer be marketed.