Insect pests of plants

Nature

Practically all of the crops grown by man have important insect pests. Insects inflict damage on plants by their feeding and reproductive activities.

Background

The global significance of insect pests of plants emerged with the expansion of agriculture and international trade in the 19th century, as devastating outbreaks—such as the phylloxera crisis in European vineyards—highlighted their capacity to threaten food security and economies. Subsequent scientific advances in entomology and plant pathology deepened understanding of pest dynamics, while the spread of invasive species underscored the persistent, transboundary nature of this problem in both developed and developing regions.

Incidence

No figures exist for the global damage inflicted on crops by insects but it has been estimated that, for the USA, insects cause an annual loss to crops of about $2 billion, nearly 5% of the potential production. Insects can damage crops directly, or indirectly as vectors of disease. The direct damage can also provide an avenue for bacterial or fungal infection. Examples are the mealy bug and the green spider mite. In the 1970s, these two South American insects were accidentally carried into Zaire and Uganda. Since then they have eaten their way across Africa, destroying up to two-thirds of the cassava crop in some places. To the African, cassava is vital; some 200 million people eat the cassava's large leaves and use its tuberous roots for flour, bread, tapioca, and even alcohol. Without it, the people starve.

Claim

Insect pests of plants are a critical and urgent problem that threatens global food security, biodiversity, and economic stability. Their relentless destruction of crops leads to massive yield losses, increased pesticide use, and environmental harm. Ignoring this issue risks devastating consequences for farmers, consumers, and ecosystems alike. Immediate, coordinated action and investment in sustainable pest management are absolutely essential to protect our food supply and the health of our planet.

Counter-claim

The so-called “problem” of insect pests of plants is grossly exaggerated. Nature has always balanced itself, and most insects are simply part of a healthy ecosystem. Obsessing over plant pests distracts from truly pressing issues like climate change or pollution. Plants have survived pests for millennia without human intervention. Worrying about insect pests is unnecessary and diverts resources from far more significant environmental and agricultural challenges facing our world today.