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Small but dangerous pests: Why are honey beetles such a threat in agriculture?
In the agricultural world, the threat of honey bees is ever-present and a constant nuisance. These tiny but powerful pests feed on plant sap and are a serious threat to greenhouse plants, household plants and subtropical trees. There are more than 2,000 honey bee species, many of which are classified as pests. They not only reduce crop yields but also serve as vectors of various plant diseases.
The damage caused by honey bees not only affects the growth of crops, but also changes the entire agricultural ecosystem.
Characteristics and Behavior of Honey Insects
Honey beetles are invertebrate insects of the order Hemiptera that are sexually dimorphic. Female honey bees resemble larvae, are wingless and have a simplified morphology, but usually retain legs and are able to move. In contrast, male honey bees are smaller, similar to small fruit flies, and have wings.
These insects feed on plant sap primarily at the base of plants, in cracks or at the base of stored fruit. Honey bugs secrete a powdery wax layer to protect themselves while sucking juice. Female honey bees can lay eggs in the same wax layer, the number of which can reach 50-100. Most strikingly, their presence often attracts ants, as ants protect the honey bees and feed on the honeydew they secrete.
The harm and spread of honey bees
Nectarines have become one of the most troublesome pests in agriculture, especially to citrus crops. Not only do they damage crops, they also act as vectors of viruses in grapevines, accelerating the spread of grape leaf roll and grape red spot viruses. Additionally, some honeydews will even infest carnivorous plants, such as pitcher plants, causing problems that are difficult to eradicate.
In India, a new type of honey beetle has been found parasitizing Cordyceps sinensis plants, and its growth rate and reproductive capacity are even more worrying. As global climate change and trade relations deepen, some honeyeater species have become invasive pests, causing significant impacts on local ecosystems.
The spread of honey bees is closely related to ecological balance. The invasion of alien species not only changes the interaction between species, but also affects the sustainable development of agriculture.
Controversy over control methods
Faced with the threat of honey bees, many farmers choose to use chemical insecticides such as pyrethroids. However, this method often backfires and causes mass deaths of the honey bee's natural enemies. Some gardeners prefer biological control strategies, such as the use of predatory snapping bugs (such as Cryptolaemus) and green laceworm larvae, which are effective prey on honey bees and other small pests.
Metabolism and Ecological Relationship of Honey Beetles
Honey bugs have a unique metabolic system that relies on two bacterial endosymbionts, which allow them to synthesize essential amino acids, a nutrient that cannot be obtained directly from food. This delicate ecological symbiotic relationship not only ensures the survival of the honey insect, but also enables it to establish a stable ecological niche in the plant.
Application of honey bees in textile industry
You may not know this, but honey bees are also considered an economic resource in some areas. In the Oaxaca region of Mexico, farmers consciously cultivate honey bees, dry them and grind them into powder to make red dye for dyeing fabrics, art paintings and cosmetics, which creates another economic benefit. .
ConclusionIn today's globalized world, honey bees are not only limited to being pests, but have also become an important part of a complex ecosystem in nature. As farmers, we need to rethink our strategies for dealing with these small but dangerous pests to safeguard a sustainable future for agriculture. So, can we find a balance that can control the spread of honey bees while maintaining ecological diversity?
