Which group accounts for the majority of agricultural pests in Nevada?

In Nevada, the majority of agricultural pests are classified as insects. This is primarily due to their vast diversity, rapid reproduction rates, and adaptability to various environments, which allows them to thrive in agricultural settings. Insects can cause significant damage to crops by feeding on plant tissues, transmitting diseases, or competing for resources, which makes them a considerable concern for farmers and agricultural practitioners.

Insects include a wide variety of species such as aphids, beetles, caterpillars, and pests such as grasshoppers, which are commonly found in Nevada’s agricultural landscapes. Their prevalence and the potential for economic loss they pose highlight why they are the most significant group of agricultural pests. Understanding their role in pest management is crucial for effective crop protection strategies. Other groups, such as arachnids, mollusks, and amphibians, do exist but do not contribute as significantly to crop damage as insects do, thus reinforcing the status of insects as the primary agricultural pests in the state.