How Climate Warming Influences the Phenology of Grapholita molesta (Busck, 1916) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in China: Insight from Long-Term Historical Data
by
,
Haotian Bian
1,
Wenzhuo Li
1,
Shengjun Yu
1,
Jianxiang Mao
1,
Yongcong Hong
1,
Yunzhe Song
1,* and
Pumo Cai
1,2,*
1
College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
2
Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350001, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2024, 15(7), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070474
Submission received: 27 May 2024
/
Revised: 19 June 2024
/
Accepted: 21 June 2024
/
Published: 25 June 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Pest and Vector Management)
Simple Summary
The study examined the phenological response of Grapholita molesta (Busck, 1916), a pest damaging Rosaceae stone fruits, to climate warming. Data on G. molesta population dynamics and climate in China from 1980 to 2020 were analyzed. Significant advancements were observed in the peak date of overwintering adults in northeastern, eastern, and northern China. Populations of contemporary adults in northwestern China and population peak date of overwintering adults in northern China also advanced. However, the end occurrence date of contemporary adults in northern China was delayed along with the first occurrence date of overwintering adults in northwestern China. The study highlighted spatial variations in G. molesta’s phenological response to climate warming across China, offering valuable insights for predicting pest infestations and enhancing pest management strategies in fruit tree cultivation.
Abstract
Grapholita molesta (Busck, 1916), a significant pest affecting various fruits such as pears, apples, peaches, etc., is highly adaptable to changing temperatures. However, the phenological response mechanism of this pest to climate warming remains unclear. To address this issue, we collected population dynamics data of G. molesta in China over the years along with corresponding climate data. We analyzed five phenological indexes: the first, end, and peak occurrence dates of contemporary adults as well as the first and peak occurrence dates of overwintering adults in China. Results revealed an upward trend in the annual average temperature and average temperature of the four seasons in regions infested by G. molesta in eastern, northeastern, northwestern, northern, and southwestern China from 1980 to 2020. Notably, the population peak date of overwintering adults in northeastern and eastern China significantly advanced along with the first occurrence date and the population peak date of overwintering adults in northern China. Additionally, the population peak date of contemporary adults in northwestern China significantly advanced. However, the end occurrence date of contemporary adults in northern China was significantly delayed, as was the first occurrence date of overwintering adults in northwestern China. Furthermore, our study demonstrated spatial heterogeneity in the phenological response of G. molesta to climate warming across China. This study elucidates the phenological response of G. molesta to climate warming, offering valuable insights for predicting future pest infestations and informing adaptive pest management strategies in fruit tree cultivation.
