PredationBiological interactionSolitary predator: a polar bear feeds on a bearded seal it has killed.Social predators: meat ants cooperate to feed on a cicada far larger than themselves.Predation is a biological interaction in which one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey.
InsectInsects (from Latininsectum) are invertebrates of the classInsecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have an exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and a pair of antennae. Insects are the most diverse group of animals, with more than a million described species; they represent more than half of all animal species.
Pest controlPest control is the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest; such as any animal, plant or fungus that impacts adversely on human activities or the environment. The human response depends on the importance of the damage done and will range from tolerance, through deterrence and management, to attempts to completely eradicate the pest. Pest control measures may be performed as part of an integrated pest management strategy.BioeffectorA bioeffector is a viable microorganism or active natural compound which directly or indirectly affects plant performance (biofertilizer), and thus has the potential to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use in crop production. TypesBioeffectors directly or indirectly affect plant performance by influencing the functional implementation or activation of biological mechanisms, particularly those interfering with soil-plant-microbe interactions.
MiteMites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) of two large orders, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari. However, most recent genetic analyses do not recover the two as each other's closest relative within Arachnida, rendering the group invalid as a clade. Most mites are tiny, less than 1 mm (0.04 in) in length, and have a simple, unsegmented body plan.
ParasitismType of interaction between speciesA fish parasite, the isopod Cymothoa exigua, replacing the tongue of a LithognathusParasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives (at least some of the time) on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life.
PathogenIn biology, a pathogen (from Greekπάθος (pathos)'suffering, passion' and -γενής (-genēs)'producer of'), in the oldest and broadest sense, is any organism, agent or micro-organism that can produce disease. A pathogen may also be referred to as an infectious agent, or simply a germ.Integrated pest managementIntegrated pest management (IPM), also known as integrated pest control (IPC) combines both non-chemical and chemical practices for economic control of pests, reducing reliance on chemicals while improving productivity and health. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization defines IPM as follows: "IPM is the careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations.
WeedA weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it conflicts with human preferences, needs, or goals. Plants with characteristics that make them hazardous, aesthetically unappealing, difficult to control in managed environments, or otherwise unwanted in farm land, orchards, gardens, lawns, parks, recreational spaces, residential and industrial areas, may all be considered weeds.
AnimalBiological kingdomAnimals are multicellular, eukaryoticorganisms belonging to the biologicalkingdomAnimalia (). Animals consume organic material, breathe oxygen, have muscle cells, can reproduce sexually, and grow from a hollow sphere of cells, the blastula, during embryonic development. With few exceptions, animals are able to move. Animals form a clade, meaning that they arose from a single common ancestor.
HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically or physiologically evolved to feed on plants, especially upon vascular tissues such as foliage, fruits or seeds, as the main component of its diet. These more broadly also encompass animals that eat non-vascularautotrophs such as mosses, algae and lichens, but do not include those feeding on decomposedplant matters (i.e. detritivores) or macrofungi (i.e. fungivores).
Plant pathologyPlant pathology or phytopathology is the scientific study of plant diseases caused by pathogens (infectious organisms) and environmental conditions (physiological factors). Plant pathology involves the study of pathogen identification, disease etiology, disease cycles, economic impact, plant disease epidemiology, plant disease resistance, how plant diseases affect humans and animals, pathosystem genetics, and management of plant diseases.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.