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Korea Biodiversity Information System > Insect Resource > Insect Classes > What is a pest insect?
In general, pest insects mean an insect that does harm to humans, and includes agriculture, forest, and hygienic pest insects. However, these species of pest insects account for an extremely small part of total insects; most insects have their own ecological position in the natural ecosystem, play their own roles, and provide direct and indirect benefits to humans.
The concept of pest insect is a very human-oriented one, which may vary according to changes in socioeconomic conditions and geographical differences.
Among these, forest pest insects refers to insects that cause damage to trees or forests, and includes 2,252 recorded species (Korea Forest Research Institute, 1995) while agricultural pest insects account for 2,618 species recorded in Korea (1986, Korean Society of Plant Protection). Damage from pest insects may differ vastly depending on the time of occurrence and amount, and some species often cause harm every year due to the appropriate living environment and various adaptability.
