Insect Infestation

Relying on a variety of data sources, including observations by NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Jon Ranson and Paul Montesano of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center conducted a survey of insect-damaged forests in British Columbia. This image shows their assessment of insect damage overlain on a topography map. In this image, red indicates the most severe damage, and green indicates no damage. Gray indicates non-forested areas. Image: NASA map by Robert Simmon.

Definition

Accordingly to the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) programme, insect infestation is classified as biological hazard and described as the pervasive influx, swarming and/or hatching of insects affecting humans, animals, crops, and perishable goods. Examples are locusts, plague and African Bees (IRDR).

Facts and figures

Insects are responsible for significant losses to the world's total crop production annually. Not all insects are pests but a small number are harmful to crops, livestock and humans. One major reason for the occurrence of these pests is the creation of man-manipulated habitats, with crops selected for their large size, high yield, nutritious value, and clustered in a confined area. This provides a highly conducive environment for herbivorous insects (FAO).

Further information

FAO - Insect Damage
FAO Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

UN-SPIDER Regional Support Offices with hazard-specific expertise

Title: Argentina Regional Support Office
Title: Germany Regional Support Office
Title: Greece Regional Support Office
Title: United States of America Regional Support Office

Related content on the Knowledge Portal

Term Parents

Biological

UN-SPIDER Regional Support Offices with hazard-specific expertise

Title: Argentina Regional Support Office
Title: Germany Regional Support Office
Title: Greece Regional Support Office
Title: United States of America Regional Support Office