In the nursery, young seedlings are at a high risk of being attacked by various pests, as they do not yet have strong defenses. It is crucial to identify these pests and take preventive measures early to protect the health of your seedlings.

There are many types of pests that can attack seedlings in the nursery, but some of the most common and dangerous include:

• Aphids: These are small insects that suck the sap from plants, often found in large numbers under leaves. They cause leaves to curl, stunt seedlings, and can also transmit viral diseases.
• Whiteflies: Like aphids, they also suck sap from seedlings, leading to stunting and yellowing of leaves. They appear as small white flies that flutter when you touch the plant.
• Root-knot Nematodes: These are tiny worms (invisible to the naked eye) that live in the soil and attack plant roots. They create galls (swelling) on the roots, preventing the plant from absorbing nutrients and water, causing wilting and stunting.
• Cutworms: These are larvae that stay in the soil and cut the stems of young seedlings near the ground level, often at night.
• Grasshoppers and Locusts: These can rapidly consume all the leaves of young seedlings, especially when in large groups.
• Red Spider Mites: These are tiny pests that suck sap, causing leaves to develop small white or yellow spots, which later turn brown and wilt. They appear as red dust underneath leaves and create fine webs.