Insects in Sustainable Agroecosystems

Dear Colleagues,

Insects are a major component of biodiversity in agroecosystems and a critical subject under the UN sustainability agenda. They are involved in different and fundamental services, such as pollination and pest regulation. However, a dramatic decline in species richness and abundance has been observed, which is expected to have negative impacts on the functioning of ecosystems. Possible drivers of insect decline include habitat change, pollution, and climate change.  On the other hand, insects may also be responsible for disservices in agroecosystems, with important socio-economic and environmental impacts. In fact, many crop pests in agroecosystems are insects, and globalization and climate change intensify the dispersion of invasive insect species. Therefore, under this scenario, we are facing the challenge of conserving and enhancing insect services in agroecosystems, and at the same time limiting and managing the negative impacts of invasive and emerging insect pests.    

We welcome submissions related with this subject, including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Insect pollinators and crop pollination in agroecosystems;
• Biological control of insect pests in agroecosystems;
• Use of semiochemicals in pest management in agroecosystems;
• Innovative pest management approaches that will contribute to a reduction in the use of pesticides in agroecosystems;
• Habitat management to promote beneficial insects in agroecosystems;
• Sustainable control of invasive insects in agroecosystems;
• Insect pest population modelling to improve Decision Support Systems in agroecosystems;
• Plant defences in a sustainable insect pest control perspective in agroecosystems.

Dr. José Carlos Franco
Dr. Arturo Cocco
Dr. Stefano Speranza
Dr. António Onofre Costa Miranda Soares
Prof. Dr. Lucia Zappala
Topic Editors