Agricultural crops, turf, ornamental plants, and trees are all attacked and injured by insects, and many entomologists are engaged in activities to minimize this destruction. The majority of plant protection entomologists work within the field of agriculture. Agricultural entomology pertains to the study of insects as they affect food, feed, and fiber crops.
Insect pests affect crops by feeding on fruit, foliage, or roots.
Some may also transmit diseases from plant to plant. Forest entomologists came of age when Congress passed the Forest Pest Control Act in 1947. Pests of forest trees have a great economic impact on society. A country's forests are one of its greatest assets, and their protection is necessary to sustain the quality of life. Forest entomologists can be found in academia, government agencies such as USDA and Department of Interior, nature centers, conservation agencies, and private industries involved in pulp and paper.