What is a major method by which pests are transported to host plants?

Pests are commonly transported to host plants through the movement of air, primarily facilitated by wind. Many small pests, including insects and larvae, have adaptations that allow them to be airborne. When the wind blows, these pests can be carried over long distances to new locations, which often include crops or plants they may infest. This wind transportation can lead to rapid spread of pest populations across agricultural fields.

Soil movement, while potentially introducing certain pests, is more localized and does not widely disseminate pests as effectively as wind. Water flow can also carry some insects or pathogens, but it is usually limited to aquatic or surface water systems where pests are already present. Animal movement, such as through hitchhiking on fur or feathers, can transport some pests, but it is not as widespread or predictable as wind transport in agricultural environments. Thus, the significant role of wind in dispersing pests makes it the major method of transportation to host plants.