Economically significant pests of beans in Serbia

Abstract

Insects represent a limiting factor in the cultivation of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in most of the production regions, and often are the main cause of low productivity. During the vegetation, beans, as well as other legumes, are susceptible to the attack of numerous pests. The most significant are soil-dwelling, such as wireworms (fam. Elateridae), and storage pests like the bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus Say). In addition to these two groups of insects, during the season, pests of the aboveground part such as aphids, thrips, stink bugs, and in dry years, mites, often occur causing significant losses.