What factor is NOT part of the pest triangle?

The pest triangle is a conceptual framework used to understand the interaction among three critical factors necessary for a pest outbreak: the presence of pest organisms, a susceptible host, and specific environmental conditions.

In this triangle, the presence of pest organisms is essential as it indicates that the pests are available to infest and potentially cause damage. A susceptible host is the plant or organism that can be affected by the pest, making them vulnerable to infestation. Specific environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and other ecological elements, create the suitable environment for the pests to thrive and reproduce.

Economic factors, while important in the broader context of pest management and agricultural practices, do not form a part of the pest triangle itself. They may influence decision-making in pest control strategies but do not directly relate to the biological and ecological interactions that allow pests to establish and cause harm. Thus, it is clear that economic factors are not one of the core components of the pest triangle.