Diagnosing unusual or rare plant pests
An estimated 40 per cent of global food crops are lost every year due to plant pests and disease, equating to around US$220 billion annually and invasive insects US$70 billion, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
For growers, correct pest diagnosis can play a pivotal role in whether a crop thrives or struggles in the nursery. An incorrect diagnosis can be a costly reminder that disease symptoms are not always, as they seem.