Climate change and managing insect pests and beneficials in agricultural systems

Abstract

Climate change is expected to alter pressure from insect pests and the effectiveness of insect pollinators across diverse agricultural systems globally. In response to warming, insects are undergoing or are projected to undergo shifts in their geographic ranges, voltinism, abundance, and phenology. Effects on the focal insect species can be affected directly or indirectly, through their interactions with other species at higher and lower trophic levels. These climate-driven effects are complex and as a result variable, sometimes increasing pest pressure or reducing pollination and sometimes with opposite effects depending on climatic baseline conditions and the interplay of contributing drivers. This uncertainty prevents effective responses. Furthermore, in addition to effects of climate change on insect pests and pollinators, projected and ongoing climate change is incentivizing changes in cropping systems such as altered tillage and increasing diversification and intensification with the potential to alter pests and pollinators as great as climate itself. Preparing for this uncertainty must be included in a framework for “Climate-smart Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management,” as a component of agricultural production under climate change.