Insect and mite pests

Insect and mite pests are a major constraint to greenhouse production of vegetables, fruits and ornamentals. As the abiotic conditions in greenhouses are relatively stable and uniform in most parts of the world, the insect and mite pest fauna is dominated by a relative small number of usually polyphagous species. Many of these pests have a worldwide distribution. This chapter provides an overview of the most important insect and mite pests in protected cultivation and a brief summary on control options. The following groups are covered: gall mites (Eriophyidae), spider mites (Tetranychidae), flat mites (Tenuipalpidae), tarsonemid mites (Tarsonemidae), thrips (Thripidae), whiteflies (Aleyrodidae), aphids (Aphididae), scale insects (Coccoidea), caterpillars (Lepidoptera), dipteran leafminers (Agromyzidae), sciarid flies (Sciaridae) and beetles (Coleoptera).