“King of Fruits” Under Siege: Unravelling the Implications of Climate Change on Insect Pest Dynamics
摘要
Since the era of industrialization, our planet Earth has been warming at an alarming rate, with a projected rise of 1.4 to 5.8 °C rise in temperature by the end of the twenty-first century. This warming, primarily due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG), is disrupting our ecosystems and intensifying extreme weather events in the disguise of climate change, with far-reaching implications for agriculture. Poikilothermic organisms such as insects, mites, and nematodes, which rely on ambient temperature to regulate their bodily functions, are particularly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Rising temperatures are altering the behaviour, distribution, and abundance of insect pests besides distorting the interactions of deadly crop pests with their hosts, natural enemies, and competitors, potentially jeopardizing food security worldwide. This chapter delves into the broader implications of climate change on insect pests, with a specific focus on mango, Mangifera indica L., a key tropical fruit crop, popularly known as “The King of Fruits”. It examines how climate-induced changes in phenology and environmental conditions are deemed to alter the insect pest dynamics and challenge mango cultivation in the future. By providing a detailed overview of these implications, this chapter aims to enhance understanding of how climate change will influence pest management strategies and crop production, highlighting the urgent need for adaptive approaches in the face of evolving agricultural threats.