Illustrated guide of insects and mites on vegetable crops in the lesser Antilles

The photographs included in this guide will help the reader recognize the principal insects and mites of the Lesser Antilles as well as the damage they cause to vegetable crops. However, these illustrations may not be sufficient to precisely identify particular species which require the expertise of specialists who analyze in detail specific characteristics. These illustrations will also be helpful to growers and technicians. By helping them identify all the different types of insects (adults or larvae) and mites, and differentiate injurious insects (pests) from beneficial organisms, they will able to better protect their crops whenever necessary. However, because of the minute size of certain species, some insects and mites cannot be detected in the fields, even with a magnifying glass, and only the damage caused to the crops will reveal the presence of these tiny pests. Some predators and most of the parasitoids are also difficult to spot but their presence must nevertheless be knowned. Pests then beneficials organisms are presented in this guide. A text attached to each illustration gives some informations both their morphology and biology. This book does not deal with the different methods used to control such pests : they are detailed in a specific technical report published by CIRA