To develop diagnostic tools, improved identification aids, predictive classifications and taxonomic information systems for established, emerging, newly detected and exotic pest insects of fruit, vegetable and field crops in Canada. There is a continuing need to develop new diagnostic aids and to review and update taxonomic information about present, past and potential pests. Aphids, thrips and plant bugs cause economic losses to agriculture and forestry commodities by directly feeding on the sap of crop plants. Many of these insects, particularly the aphids and thrips, are also important as vectors of plants diseases, such as PVYn in potatoes, barley yellow dwarf in cereals and numerous diseases in greenhouse systems Leaf beetles represent the third largest beetle family with more than 45,000 known species in the world and probably as many yet to be described. These defoliators represent the most economically important group of beetles in Canada with 118 species already reported as injurious to crops and ornamentals.
Weevils are among the most serious pests to agriculture and forestry in Canada.
All species of this group are plant feeders and almost all agricultural crops are host for some members of the family. Nearly 1000 species occur in Canada but because published systematic studies are incomplete and biological data is largely unknown, many species of Canadian weevils cannot be accurately identified.