Insect pest status of vegetable crops in Meerut district of Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract In order to evaluate agricultural pests and predators on vegetable crops, the study was carried out in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh between August 2024 and May 2025. A variety of insects impact all crops and just feed on vegetable crops. Depending on the plant variety, cropping season, geographic location, and possibility for insect damage, crop losses in vegetables can vary significantly. Vegetable crops are especially susceptible to diseases and insect pests because they are softer, more delicate, and have a shorter lifespan than other crops. The number of existing small pests is increasing along with the introduction of new ones, such as mealybugs, fruit flies, stem borers, diamondback moths among phytophagous insects, and red spider mites among acarines. Harvests of tomatoes and chilies have suffered significant harm due to recent infestations including South American tomato pinworm and chili black blossom thrips. In the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, the pest status of vegetable crops. Among the herbivores, insect pests include 13 species of the order Lepidotera, including Erias vitella, Euzopheraperticella, Etiella zinckenella, Hellula undalis, Helicoverpa armigera, Leucinodes orbonalis, Pectinophora gossypiella, Phthorimaea operculella, Pieris brassicae, Plutella xylostella, Spilosoma obliqua, Spodoptera litura, and Thysanoplusia orichalcea; seven species of Hemiptera, including Aphis gossypii, Bemisia tabaci, Brevicoryne brassicae, Bagrada cruciferarum, Dysdercus cingulatus, Lipaphis erysimi, and Myzus persicae. During our field investigation in this area, we found that three species of the order Coleoptera Epilachna vigintiocto punctata, Holotrichia consanguinea, and Raphidopalpa foveicollis and one species of the order Diptera Dacus cucurbitae damaged various vegetable crops.