Climate Change and Emerging Pest Challenges
Abstract
Climate change is emerging as a major challenge to horticultural production by altering temperature, rainfall, atmospheric carbon dioxide, humidity and the frequency of extreme weather events. These changes directly and indirectly influence the survival, development, reproduction, dispersal and seasonal activity of insect pests, resulting in shifts in their population dynamics, geographic distribution, phenology and outbreak patterns. Changes in climatic conditions may also favour the establishment and spread of emerging and invasive pests in new regions, particularly in association with trade and movement of planting material. Altered plant growth, nutritional quality and defence responses can modify pest–host interactions, while climatic variability may disrupt the synchrony between pests and their natural enemies, affecting biological control. Climate change also influences plant diseases and vector-borne pathogens by affecting pathogen development and vector activity. Furthermore, variations in temperature, rainfall and solar radiation can alter pesticide persistence and efficacy and may contribute to the development of pesticide resistance through increased pest generations. These challenges necessitate a shift from conventional pest-management practices towards climate-smart integrated pest management. Sustainable approaches integrating biological, cultural, mechanical and host-resistance methods, along with precision pest management, forecasting and early-warning systems, can improve pest suppression. Remote sensing, GIS, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and predictive modelling provide opportunities for improved surveillance, risk assessment and timely interventions. Integrating these approaches with continuous monitoring and climate-based pest forecasting is essential for developing resilient and sustainable horticultural production systems under changing climatic conditions. Key words: Climate change, pests, sustainable approaches, resistance and precision
