The phrase "insect pests" refers to insects that cause harm or damage to crops, plants, or humans' belongings. They can eat plants, carry diseases, or bite people, causing problems and annoyances. Full definition
Get the latest information and advice on controlling insect pests in vegetable crops, and controlling insect contaminants in leafy vegetables. (austorganic.com)
They enable our crops to compete with 30,000 species of weeds, 10,000 species of insect pests and countless diseases. (politics.co.uk)
I do research on insect pest and disease resistance and drought tolerance to develop rice plants that are sturdy under unfavorable conditions so that their grain yield is not drastically reduced. (irri.org)