Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystems

In recent past, with changes in the cropping pattern, ecosystems and habitat, climate, and introduction of input intensive high yielding varieties/hybrids, a shift in pest status has been realized in time and space. Many pests have expanded their host horizon, developed resistance to pesticides and often there are secondary out breaks. Incidence of chilli gall midge (Asphondylia capparis) in parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, solenopsis mealy bug (Phenacoccus solenopsis) in brinjal, tomato, okra and cucurbits; Hadda beetle (Henosepilachna vigitioctopunctata and Epilachna dodecastigma) on cowpea and bitter gourd; plume moth (Sphenaeches caffer) in bottle gourd are some of the examples. This paper envisages these emerging insect pests in vegetable ecosystem, their suitable control measures and some issues/challenges in their management.