Search Results (109)

Landscape simplification resulting from agricultural intensification threatens biodiversity and ecosystem services on arable land. Semi-natural habitats, such as flower strips, can mitigate these effects by providing habitat and resource diversity and by modifying the microclimate at the agricultural landscape scale. As effective natural enemies in arable fields, ground beetles (Carabidae) play a key role not only in pest regulation, but also in weed control through seed consumption. The study found that FS serve as crucial habitats supporting Carabidae—characterized by a higher Shannon–Wiener index—and foster the presence of rare species absent from adjacent wheat and rapeseed monocultures. Unlike field crops, flower strips exhibit greater evenness in ground beetle community structure, indicating higher ecological stability and superior environmental quality. The research confirmed significant seasonal fluctuations in Carabidae abundance, particularly pronounced in flower strips; an increase in numbers was recorded during May and June in both years of observation, confirming that FS act as stable habitats for these insects. Full article

Stored-product insects threaten global food security, yet the environmental mechanisms governing their responses to climate change remain poorly understood. Existing pest distribution projections rarely integrate diurnal thermal variability with agricultural land use. Here, we show that diurnal thermal variability, together with agricultural land use, is a major determinant of habitat suitability for three globally important Callosobruchus pests across the Middle East. Using optimized species distribution models integrating climate, topography, and cropland under contrasting CMIP6 climate scenarios, we demonstrate that mean diurnal temperature range and cropland consistently emerge as the strongest predictors across all species, revealing the importance of daily thermal fluctuations beyond mean warming alone. Under the low-emission scenario (SSP1-2.6), suitable habitat by mid-century expands substantially for C. chinensis and C. phaseoli, while remaining little changed overall for C. maculatus, for which comparable local expansion and contraction largely offset one another; under the high-emission scenario (SSP5-8.5), gains are reduced, and localized contractions occur, particularly for C. chinensis and C. maculatus, the latter shifting to a slight net loss in total suitable area. Persistent climatic refugia remain along Mediterranean and Red Sea coastal regions, whereas habitat losses are concentrated in the northern Gulf lowlands and Zagros foothills. Our findings identify diurnal thermal variability as an overlooked dimension of stored-product pest ecology and show that integrating agricultural landscapes with climate projections can improve forecasts of future pest risk, providing a framework for climate-informed surveillance, biosecurity, and adaptation. Full article

Precise spatiotemporal assessment of habitat suitability is essential for crop pest and disease risk warning and food security. However, most existing approaches focus on disease occurrence, overlook spatial heterogeneity and time series information, and therefore, struggle to capture the habitat dynamics from occurrence to epidemic. We propose a dynamic framework for rice sheath blight (RSB) habitat suitability assessment that integrates rice phenology and disease time series to reveal fine-grained intra-annual spatiotemporal variability via a spatiotemporally adaptive strategy beyond the reach of traditional static models. Remote sensing and meteorological time series data, together with RSB survey data and crowdsourced records from southern China, are integrated in this study. First, the study area is partitioned into sub-regions and sensitive time windows (STWs) based on climate and rice-cropping systems. MaxEnt, combined with natural breaks, is then used to assess RSB occurrence suitability and delineate multi-level suitable areas. Geographical and temporal weighted regression (GTWR) and the coefficient of variation (CV) are finally applied within moderate-to-high occurrence-suitability areas to reconstruct time series of intra-STW epidemic potential dynamics and quantify their temporal variation. Results indicate the optimal phenology-based scheme yields one STW for single-cropping sub-regions and three STWs for double- and mixed-cropping sub-regions. MaxEnt AUC ranges from 0.610 to 0.768, with natural-break thresholds at 0.312 and 0.473. GTWR produces generally robust intra-STW fits (most local R² > 0.4), and the CV highlights localized, time-varying high-fluctuation zones within occurrence-suitable areas that static maps do not reveal. Overall, our method extends crop disease habitat suitability assessment from a static paradigm to a spatiotemporally adaptive, dynamic one, providing useful habitat background constraints for monitoring, early warning, and forecasting of crop pests and diseases under complex cropping systems. Full article

Limited access to quality seed constrains vegetable productivity and food security in Uganda, where informal seed systems remain central to farmers’ access to seed but are inadequately documented and largely unregulated. This study documented vegetable seed production and management practices, identified opportunities and constraints within informal seed systems, and examined the role of community seed banks in strengthening seed security. Using a mixed-method approach, quantitative surveys and key informant interviews were conducted with seed producers, seed traders, and community seed bank leaders across Uganda. Study respondents were predominantly men, with most respondents aged ≥35 years, despite women’s and youth’s primary role in vegetable production. Respondents reported key seed management constraints of seed storage pests, low-quality seeds, inconsistent market supply and price fluctuations, limited capital, and weak regulatory oversight. Seed treatment practices primarily consisted of sun-drying and plant-based pesticides, while seed quality assessment relied largely on experience and visual inspection, using cues such as seed color, size, and cleanliness, with limited use of standardized testing. Given that most vegetable growers obtain seeds through community-based seed channels, strengthening actors’ capacity to produce and supply high-quality seed is essential for sustaining vegetable production, improving farmer incomes, and enhancing food and nutrition security. Full article

Agricultural research helps us to reduce the risks associated with climate variability, pests and diseases, market fluctuations, and biennial bearing. However, genotype characterization is often conducted independently of economic performance and yield stability, limiting the identification of genotypes that combine high yield, stability, and economic return potential. This study characterized the genotype × harvest season interaction and gross revenue of Coffea canephora clones evaluated in Rondônia, Brazil, over five harvest seasons (2021–2025). Twenty-eight genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications and five plants per plot, and yield stability was assessed using the centroid method. Cumulative yield over five harvest seasons totaled 306.22 bags ha⁻¹, with a mean of 61.24 bags ha⁻¹ per harvest season. The genotype × harvest season interaction revealed distinct temporal yield patterns. Genotypes closest to the ideotype of maximum yield and stability included BAG19, BRS1216, GJ8, GJ25, AS2, and BAG24. Gross revenue simulations based on contrasting historical coffee price scenarios indicated the economic superiority of these clones. Differences in yield potential contributed more to gross revenue variation than biennial bearing. Relative to the overall mean of the 28 genotypes, these clones achieved an 85% increase in mean yield and a 61.2% increase in mean gross revenue. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max) is a vital food and oil crop in China, yet its yield and quality are severely threatened by piercing–sucking damage caused by Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) to soybean pods. Under global climate warming and expanded soybean cultivation, temperature has become a key environmental factor driving the spread of and aggravated damage caused by R. pedestris. We investigated the effects of temperature (32, 36, 40, 42, and 44 °C) and exposure duration (1–4 h) on the energy substances and antioxidant enzyme activities in adult R. pedestris. These two factors also had significant effects on the pest’s energy substances and antioxidant defense. Under short-term high-temperature stress, the water loss rate and fat, total sugar, and glycogen contents increased significantly, while protein content showed a fluctuating upward trend, with distinct sexual differences in these responses; the water loss and energy substance levels within the lethal high-temperature range, around 44 °C, were generally higher than those in the sublethal range (36–42 °C). R. pedestris showed physiological changes consistent with enhanced heat tolerance and adaptability, including water balance regulation, carbohydrate and lipid accumulation, and modulation of protein synthesis and degradation. In the sublethal high-temperature range, antioxidant enzyme activity patterns were altered, and SOD activity was increased; meanwhile, the MDA content also rose, and POD and CAT activities decreased. In the lethal high-temperature range, the overall antioxidant enzyme activities were lower than in the suitable temperature range, with the POD activities and MDA content still rising. These results suggest that the dynamic adjustment of antioxidant enzyme activities may contribute to alleviating oxidative damage and rapid adaptation to temperature-induced oxidative stress in R. pedestris. These findings indicate that R. pedestris possesses physiological plasticity to cope with sublethal heat stress through metabolic reallocation and antioxidant defense activation, but extreme temperatures cause severe physiological disruption. This study provides insights into the thermal biology and heat resistance mechanisms of this pest under climate warming scenarios. Full article

The rice leaf roller (RLR), Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée), is a major migratory pest that threatens rice production across East Asia. Effective management of migratory pests relies fundamentally on accurately identifying their source areas, population dynamics, and key environmental drivers. Western Hunan is a critical rice-growing region characterized by unique topography and varied climates, making it a principal pathway for RLR migration. Based on 14-year (2011–2024) monitoring datasets, we identified substantial interannual variability in July RLR abundance in Western Hunan, when the population typically peaks, highlighting the episodic and unstable nature of regional infestations. Back-trajectory simulations reveal that heavy occurrence years of RLR feature clear northward migration pathways from the Indo-China Peninsula and South China to Western Hunan in July, supported by strong southerly winds along the route. Multiple linear regression analysis further shows that spring warmth initially facilitates high population accumulation in source regions, and the synergistic effect of source-region precipitation deficits and abundant local rainfall triggers large-scale immigration into Western Hunan. These meteorological factors collectively account for up to 66% of the interannual variability in RLR population fluctuations, confirming that climatic conditions largely determine outbreak severity. This provides a robust quantitative framework for regional early-warning systems and sustainable pest management in migratory corridors. Full article

Investigating the effects of sublethal pesticide doses on pest population succession and physiological metabolism is crucial for IPM and resistance delaying. This study evaluated sublethal effects of abamectin on Diaphorina citri using two-sex life tables, population modeling, and measurements of hormone levels, energy reserves, and gene expression to reveal its transgenerational impacts. Results showed dose-dependent and transgenerational effects: both F₀ and F₁ generations experienced prolonged development and reduced longevity under LC₂₅/LC₅₀ stress. Life-table parameters (r, λ, R₀, GRR, T) declined, and the model predicted a sharp population decrease after 60 days (from 10,357 to 1711 and 372 individuals under LC₂₅ and LC₅₀, respectively). The findings indicated that abamectin suppresses population growth by delaying development and limiting adult recruitment. Following abamectin treatment, hormone levels (20E and JH) showed dynamic fluctuations with delayed peaks in the treated groups, while energy reserves (glycogen and triglycerides) were generally reduced. Vitellogenin gene expression was mostly suppressed, except for a transient increase in Vg-1 and Vg-A1 (LC₂₅, day 9), whereas VgR was generally up-regulated except in the LC₂₅ group. Both LC₂₅ and LC₅₀ treatments suppressed D. citri development and reproduction by disrupting hormone balance and energy metabolism, without inducing hormesis. These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing field application strategies and support the use of abamectin in IPM programs to reduce outbreak risk and delay resistance development. Full article

The rice–wheat rotation is a predominant cropping pattern in China, frequently challenged by pests such as aphids in wheat, and Chilo suppressalis and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis in rice. This study investigates the potential of two common landscape plants, Photinia × fraseri and Pittosporum tobira, as functional plants for conserving natural enemies across crop cycles. Arthropod communities were systematically monitored using Malaise traps during the wheat, wheat–rice transition, and rice seasons from 2023 to 2024. Results revealed that both species successfully conserved a diverse natural enemy community, though their structural differentiation was strongly driven by seasonal variation, as confirmed by Heatmap and principal component analysis (PCA) (P. × fraseri: PC1 = 46.3%, PC2 = 23%; P. tobira: PC1 = 40.2%, PC2 = 25%). During the wheat season, both plants synergistically supported rich functional guilds, including predatory guilds (e.g., Episyrphus balteatus, Gnathonarium dentatum, and Harmonia axyridis) and parasitic guilds (e.g., Microplitis tuberculifer and Cotesia spp.). Notably, during the critical wheat-to-rice transition, these shrubs functioned as “habitat anchors,” where P. × fraseri demonstrated superior retention capacity for functional groups like Aphidius gifuensis, mitigating post-harvest habitat fragmentation. During the rice season, distinct functional complementarity emerged: P. × fraseri appeared to function as a habitat-type plant, potentially providing stable shelter for predatory groups (e.g., spiders and lady beetles), while P. tobira appeared to act as a resource-type plant, potentially attracting a significant rebound of parasitoids (e.g., Xanthopimpla flavolineata) in August. This mid-summer rebound on P. tobira was primarily attributed to its dense evergreen foliage providing a microclimatic refuge, rather than an active flowering resource. Analysis of shared dominant taxa (H. axyridis, Cotesia spp., and E. balteatus) showed highly significant seasonal fluctuations, with peak conservation during the wheat season. This study confirms that P. × fraseri and P. tobira have cross-cycle potential as a “natural enemy bank” in rice–wheat rotation agricultural systems. Their synergistic effects—integrating stable structural shelter with seasonal nutritional subsidies—support the conservation of diverse natural enemy communities throughout the annual crop cycle and significantly enhance the sustained pest control capacity of farmland ecosystems, identifying them as exemplary functional plants for ecological engineering in rice–wheat landscapes and providing a foundation for future studies on biological control efficacy. Full article

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a major arthropod pest that causes substantial economic losses in strawberry and other crops worldwide. Its management often relies on intensive acaricide applications, which may negatively affect human health, the environment, and beneficial organisms. Biological control using predatory mites has been widely adopted under greenhouse conditions, and its success is influenced by several factors, particularly temperature, T. urticae population density, and predator release methods. During the 2023–2024 season, this study evaluated the effects of ambient greenhouse temperature on the population dynamics of T. urticae and on the efficacy of two phytoseiid predators, Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot). The predators were released individually and in combination on strawberry plants. The efficacy of single and combined releases was assessed under three temperature ranges: 25–27 °C, 28–30 °C, and 30–32 °C. The results showed that the mean number of motile T. urticae per plant increased from 21.7 to 95.66, while the mean number per leaf increased from 2.33 to 6.05 during the experimental period. The mean greenhouse temperature ranged from 23.83 °C to 31.88 °C. Temperature was strongly and positively correlated with T. urticae population density, with higher temperatures generally accelerating development and population growth. Both predator species, whether released individually or in combination, significantly reduced T. urticae populations compared with untreated control plants. Amblyseius swirskii demonstrated greater efficacy than P. persimilis at temperatures above 28 °C. However, the combined release consistently achieved the highest level of mite suppression across all temperature ranges. Significantly greater population reduction was observed at approximately 25–26 °C compared with single-species releases, while maximum effectiveness occurred at temperatures above 28 °C. These findings indicate that the combined use of P. persimilis and A. swirskii represents an effective biological control strategy for managing T. urticae in greenhouse-grown strawberries, particularly under elevated and fluctuating temperature conditions. Full article

This paper analyses the impact of climate change on fruit species, synthesizing evidence of how abiotic stresses—such as extreme temperatures, drought, salinity, and water fluctuations—influence the physiology, metabolism, phenology, and productivity of fruit trees. It examines both direct effects on flowering, fruit set, growth, and quality, as well as indirect impacts on nutrient availability, soil health, and vulnerability to pests and diseases. The article highlights the role of hormones and secondary metabolites in mediating stress responses, alongside the critical importance of cellular and antioxidant protection mechanisms. Adaptive strategies across physiological, biochemical, molecular, and agronomic levels are discussed, including the selection of tolerant varieties and rootstocks, irrigation adjustments, microclimatic management, and the use of biotechnological approaches and biostimulants to enhance fruit resilience and quality. In conclusion, the article underscores the necessity of an integrated approach to ensure the sustainability and productivity of orchards in the face of climate change. Full article

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, is an important pest in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill. To investigate the adaptability of various A. glycines generations to high temperatures, this study assessed various life parameters of A. glycines exposed to a diurnal temperature of 33 °C and a nocturnal temperature of 20 °C (33 °C/20 °C) over three generations, compared to a diurnal temperature of 25 °C and a nocturnal temperature of 20 °C (25 °C/20 °C), by life table approach. The adult survival rates of A. glycines in the first (G₁), second (G₂), and third generations (G₃) at 33 °C/20 °C were found to be lower than those at 25 °C/20 °C. Additionally, exposure to 33 °C/20 °C reduced aphid total longevity, oviposition day, and fecundity for G₁, G₂, and G₃ compared to 25 °C/20 °C. These findings indicate that A. glycines can develop and reproduce at a diurnal temperature of 33 °C across the three tested generations, albeit with variations in certain life parameters compared to 25 °C. The results are important for understanding the adaptability of A. glycines to temperature fluctuations and for predicting the population dynamics of this pest in soybeans in Heilongjiang, China, which is currently experiencing rising environmental temperatures. Full article

The larvae and damage symptoms of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and Cnaphalocrocis patnalis exhibit a high degree of similarity, which often leads to confusion between the two species. This has posed challenges for research on their population dynamics and the development of effective control measures. To better understand their morphological and damage characteristics, population dynamics, species identification based on COI gene fragments, and potential future distribution, a searchlight trap monitoring program was conducted for C. medinalis and its closely related species C. patnalis across four sites in Longhua, Haitang, and Yazhou districts in Hainan Province from 2021 to 2023. The MaxEnt model was utilized to predict the potential global distribution of both species, incorporating known occurrence points and climate variables. The trapping results revealed that both species reached peak abundance between April and June, with a maximum of 1500 individuals captured in May at Beishan Village, Haitang District. Interannual population fluctuations of both species generally followed a unimodal pattern. Genetic analyses revealed distinct differences in the mitochondrial COI gene fragment, confirming that C. medinalis and C. patnalis are closely related yet distinct species. The population peak of C. patnalis occurred slightly earlier than that of C. medinalis, and its field damage was more severe. Infestations during the booting to heading stages of rice significantly reduced seed-setting rates and overall yield. Model predictions indicated that large areas of southern Eurasia are suitable for the survival of both species, with precipitation during the wettest month identified as the primary environmental factor shaping their potential distributions. At present, moderately and highly suitable habitats for C. medinalis account for 2.50% and 2.27% of the global land area, respectively, whereas those for C. patnalis account for 2.85% and 1.19%. These results highlight that climate change is likely to exacerbate the damage caused by both rice leaf-roller pests, particularly the emerging threat posed by C. patnalis. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for invasion risk assessment and the development of integrated management strategies targeting the combined impacts of C. medinalis and C. patnalis. Full article

Parasitoids are key natural antagonists of forest insect pests and are gaining importance in integrated forest protection under increasing climate-related disturbances. This study aimed to quantify the influence of vegetation diversity and canopy structure on the abundance and diversity of the overall insect community responses to vegetation structure and to provide an ecological context. Second, detailed analyses focused on three focal parasitoid families (Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, Tachinidae), which are of particular relevance for integrated forest protection due to their central role in integrated forest protection and in pesticide-free regulation approaches for risk mitigation in forest ecosystems. Malaise traps were deployed at eight randomly selected broadleaf and coniferous sites, and insect samples from six sampling dates in summer 2024 were analyzed. The sampling period coincided with the full development of woody and vascular plants, representing the phase of highest expected activity of phytophagous insects and associated parasitoids. Vegetation surveys (Braun–Blanquet), canopy closure, and canopy cover were recorded for each site. Across all samples, five arthropod classes, 13 insect orders, and 31 hymenopteran families were identified, with pronounced site-specific differences in community composition and abundance. Our results suggest that broadleaf-dominated sites, characterized by higher plant species richness and greater structural heterogeneity, support a more diverse assemblage of phytophagous insects, thereby increasing host availability and niche diversity for parasitoids. Parasitoid communities generally showed higher diversity at broadleaf sites. Spearman correlations and multiple linear regressions revealed a strong negative relationship between canopy cover and total insect abundance ρ (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (Spearman ρ = −0.72, p = 0.042; p = 0.012, R² = 0.70), R² (coefficient of determination), whereas parasitoid diversity (Shannon index) and the relative proportion of Ichneumonidae were positively associated with canopy cover (ρ = 0.85, p = 0.008). In addition, canopy cover had a significant positive effect on overall insect diversity (Shannon index; p = 0.015, R² = 0.63). Time-series analyses revealed a significant seasonal decline in parasitoid abundance (p < 0.001) and parasitoid diversity (p = 0.018). Time-series analyses revealed seasonal dynamics characterized by fluctuations in parasitoid abundance and diversity and a general decrease over the course of the sampling period. The findings demonstrate that structurally diverse mixed forests, particularly those with a high proportion of broadleaf trees mixed forests with heterogeneous canopy layers can enhance the diversity of specialized natural enemies, while dense canopy cover reduces overall insect abundance. These insights provide an ecological basis for silvicultural strategies that strengthen natural regulation processes within integrated forest protection. Full article

Berry crops such as strawberry Fragaria × ananassa (Weston), raspberry Rubus idaeus L., blackberry Rubus ulmifolius Schott, 1818, and blueberry Vaccinium myrtillus L. are economically and nutritionally valuable worldwide. However, the intensive use of synthetic pesticides for pest management in these crops has led to ecological imbalance, pest resistance, and negative effects on non-target organisms and human health. The integration of biological control agents into sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) systems represents an alternative. This review compiles and evaluates current advances in the application of baculoviruses (BVs), entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), nematodes (EPNs), predatory mites (PMs), and parasitoid wasps (PWs) for pest suppression in berry crops. Emphasis was placed on their ecological interactions, host specificity, and compatibility within IPM frameworks. The combined use of micro- and macrobiological control agents effectively reduces key pest populations. However, field efficacy remains influenced by abiotic stressors such as UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and chemical incompatibility. The integration of native micro- and macrobiological control agents of through conservation biological control (CBC) strategies can enhance sustainability in berry production systems. Future efforts should focus on formulation improvements, adaptive management under field conditions, and synergistic interactions among microbial and arthropod natural enemies. Full article