Answer :
Final answer:
The four main groups of pests are invertebrates, pathogens, plants (weeds), and vertebrates. Dragonflies and ground beetles exemplify predators, while parasitoids are like wasps targeting the gypsy moth. For aphid control, natural enemies like lady beetles and lacewings are used.
Explanation:
The four main groups of pests are invertebrates, pathogens, plants (weeds), and vertebrates. An example of an invertebrate pest could be the mosquito (Aedes spp.), belonging to the order Culicidae. As predators, examples include dragonflies and ground beetles, which help to control pests. Parasites could be exemplified by certain fungi that infect insects, while parasitoids are represented by wasps that lay eggs in or on a host, such as the horse-chestnut leafminer (Cam-eraria ohridella).
To illustrate the categories further:
- Predator: Dragonfly belonging to the order Odonata.
- Parasite: A tick in the order Ixodida.
- Parasitoid: A wasp species targeting the gypsy moth, in the order Hymenoptera.
For aphid control, six natural enemies that have been commercialized in the Western US according to the UC IPM PestNotes include certain species of lady beetles, lacewings, parasitic wasps, syrphid flies, predatory midges, and entomopathogenic fungi.
The four main groups of pests are insects, pathogens, weeds, and vertebrates. Insects such as aphids, beetles, and caterpillars fall under this category as major crop pests. Pathogens like fungi and bacteria can also cause significant damage to plants. Weeds compete with crops for resources, leading to reduced yields. Vertebrates such as rodents and deer can also pose a
