The species structure of pests of the canteen of the beet in the conditions of the Bryansk region

Relevance. Solving food security issues in the Russian Federation requires improving the system of protective measures and thoroughly studying the species structure of harmful organisms that reduce the yield and quality of agricultural crops. Table beet (Beta vulgaris L.), being a valuable vegetable root crop grown in the Russian Federation and the Bryansk region, is damaged by a variety of pests. The aim of the scientific research was to study the taxonomic composition, structure of polyphagous and specialized pests of table beet in the Bryansk region, compile phenological calendars of dominant species of phytophages, clarify the period of harmfulness of table beet plants by phytophages in order to draw up recommendations for insecticide treatments. Materials and Methods. In the conditions of the educational and experimental field of the Bryansk State Agrarian University in 2020-2023. conducted a study of the species structure of beetroot pests. The object of the study was the Bordeaux one-seeded beetroot plant variety. To clarify the species composition and account for the pests, the following observation methods were used: mowing with an entomological net, sticky traps, soil excavation, and yellow cups (Mörike vessels). Results. During the studies to establish the taxonomic composition of beetroot phytophages and to clarify the ecological characteristics of polyphagous and specialized pests, representatives of the main group of polyphagous and oligophagous pests of the Insecta class from the following orders and families were identified: Coleoptera: Elateridae, Scarabidae, Chrysomeliidae; Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae, Noctuidae; Homoptera; Aphididae; Diptera: Anthomyiida; Hemiptera: Miridae; and also polyphages from the class Gastropda: Boettgerillidae and the class Mammalia. The excess of the EPT was established for two species of broad oligophages: sugar beet flea beetle (Chaetocnema concinna Marsham) (EPT – 1 imago/plant in the seedling-fork phase, 3-10 imago/m 2) and sugar beet aphid (Aphis fabae Scop.) (EPT – 10% of inhabited plants on the site in the phase of 3-6 pairs of true leaves). Conclusion. Based on the obtained data, the taxonomic composition, structure of polyphagous and specialized pests of table beet in the conditions of the Bryansk region were studied, phenological calendars of dominant species of phytophages were compiled.