What are crop pests and how can they be identified, controlled, and prevented?

Here are the solutions to your questions: 1. Define the term 'crop pest': A crop pest is any organism that causes damage to crops, reducing their yield or quality. 2. Identify the damage caused and the pest that has caused it: a) Damage: Root damage, stunted growth. Pest: Nematodes* (or root borers). b) Damage: Chewed leaves, holes in leaves. Pest: Caterpillars* (or grasshoppers). c) Damage: Damage to corn cob/fruit. Pest: Corn earworm* (or stem borer). 3. Identify the methods used to control the pests below: a) Cutworms: Hand-picking, protective collars around seedlings, applying insecticides*. 4. Farmer were asked to introduce an insect that would help to control a crop pest. a) Identify the insect: Ladybug* (or parasitic wasp). b) Name the crop pest controlled: Aphids* (if the insect is a ladybug). 5. Milkah used ash to control pests. Write two ways in which ash is useful in controlling pests. • Ash acts as a physical barrier and irritant* to soft-bodied pests like slugs and snails. • When dusted on plants, the fine particles of ash can deter* some insects from feeding or laying eggs.