The incidence of plant pests and the transmission of plant diseases through insects is increasing at a steady pace, with the promotion of this phenomenon occurring as a result of global warming and fluctuations in climate change. Plant pests and diseases are responsible for an estimated 20–40% of crop losses, with the losses of staple cereal crops (rice, wheat, maize) and tuber crops (potatoes and sweet potatoes) directly impacting food security and nutrition (see https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/journal/cabicompendium ). The majority of countries have identified a priority list of the most serious economically and environmentally important and/or invasive pests, including Xylella fastidiosa (Morelli, 2021), the Japanese beetle, the Asian long-horned beetle, citrus greening and citrus black spot (COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2019/1702). In order to combat plant pests and ensure the continued production of food for an ever-increasing population, the use of pesticides is on the rise.