SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Entomology College of Agriculture Doctoral Seminar – 1 st (ENT-691) on IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON INSECTS Seminar In Charge Dr. Gaje Singh Professor and Head Department of Entomology College of Agriculture Presented By Gyan Sirohi (6462) Ph.D Entomology Department Of Entomology Seminar In Charge Dr. Hem Singh Professor Department of Entomology College of Agriculture
INTRODUCTION CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change refers to significant and long-term changes in the average weather patterns and conditions of Earth's atmosphere. This includes shifts in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other climate-related phenomena over extended periods, typically decades or longer. Climate change encompasses both natural variations and changes induced by human activities. The global impact of climate change is profound and multifaceted: Rising Temperatures : Average global temperatures have increased, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves. Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels : Polar ice caps and glaciers are melting, contributing to rising sea levels, which threaten coastal communities with flooding and erosion.
Extreme Weather Events : There is an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including hurricanes, droughts, and heavy rainfall. Ecosystem Disruption : Changes in climate affect ecosystems and biodiversity, leading to shifts in species distribution, altered migration patterns, and increased extinction risks. Impact on Agriculture : Altered weather patterns affect crop yields and food security, potentially leading to shortages and higher prices. Human Health : Climate change exacerbates health issues through heat stress, increased spread of infectious diseases, and poor air quality. Economic Consequences : The economic impacts are vast, affecting industries such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, and necessitating substantial expenditures on mitigation and adaptation measures.
Primary Causes of Climate Change 1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Burning Fossil Fuels : Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) : The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production and transportation releases large amounts of CO₂, a major greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Methane (CH₄) : Methane is released during the extraction and transport of fossil fuels, as well as from livestock digestion and other agricultural practices. Methane is produced as the terminal step of the anaerobic breakdown of organic matter in wetland rice soils . Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) : This gas is emitted from agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass.
2. Deforestation: Loss of Carbon Sinks: Forests act as significant carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere. When forests are cleared or burned, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Land Use Changes: Converting forests into agricultural or urban areas reduces the Earth's capacity to absorb CO₂, exacerbating the greenhouse effect. 3. Industrial Processes: Cement Production: The manufacturing of cement releases substantial amounts of CO₂ through both the chemical conversion of limestone into lime and the burning of fossil fuels. Chemical Manufacturing: The production of chemicals, including fertilizers, releases various greenhouse gases, such as CO₂ and nitrous oxide. Refrigerants and Aerosols: Industrial activities also release potent greenhouse gases like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used in refrigeration and air conditioning.
IMPORTANCE OF INSECTS AND THEIR CRITICAL ROLE IN ECOSYSTEM . Studying insects is crucial due to their essential roles in ecosystems, which are fundamental to the health and stability of the environment. Pollination : Insects like bees, butterflies and beetles are primary pollinators for many plants, including a large proportion of crops that humans rely on for food. Understanding insect behaviour and health is vital for food security and biodiversity. Decomposition : Insects such as beetles, ants and flies help decompose organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil, which supports plant growth and maintains soil health. Pest Control : Many insects act as natural predators of agricultural pests, helping to control pest populations and reduce the need for chemical pesticides, which can have harmful environmental effects.
Biodiversity Indicators : Insects are often used as indicators of environmental health and biodiversity. Changes in their populations can signal alterations in environmental conditions, making them valuable for monitoring ecosystem changes and potential threats. Medical and Scientific Research : Insects are used in scientific research for studying genetics, evolution, and disease. For example, the fruit fly ( Drosophila melanogaster ) is a model organism in genetic research, while mosquitoes are studied for their role in transmitting diseases like Malaria and act as a vector of Zika virus . Ecosystem Services : Insects provide various ecosystem services that are crucial for the survival of other species and the functioning of ecosystems. These include pollination, nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water purification.
HOW RISING TEMPERATURES CAN AFFECT INSECT PHYSIOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND LIFECYCLE. Physiology : Metabolic Rate : Insects metabolic rates increase with temperature, leading to faster growth and development. This can result in shorter generation times and more rapid population growth. Dehydration : Higher temperatures can lead to increased rates of water loss through respiration and transpiration. Insects may need to adapt by seeking out moisture or altering their behaviour to conserve water. Thermal Tolerance : Insects have optimal temperature ranges for activity and reproduction. Beyond these ranges, they may experience stress or even death. Some species may adapt to higher temperatures over time, while others may struggle to survive.
2. Behaviour : Activity Patterns : Insects may alter their activity patterns in response to temperature changes. For example, they may become more active during cooler times of the day or seek out cooler microhabitats to avoid overheating. Migration : Rising temperatures can influence insect migration patterns. Some species may expand their ranges into new areas as previously inhospitable climates become suitable, while others may retreat to higher altitudes or latitudes to maintain suitable conditions. Feeding and Reproduction : Temperature influences the availability of food sources and reproductive behaviour. In warmer conditions, insects may have more abundant food resources and longer breeding seasons, leading to increased population sizes.
3. Life cycle : Developmental timing : Higher temperatures can accelerate insect development, leading to shorter life cycles from egg to adult. This can result in more generations per year and potentially higher population densities. Overwintering : Warmer winters may disrupt insect overwintering strategies. Some insects rely on cold temperatures to enter diapause (a form of dormancy), and if temperatures remain mild, they may not enter this state or may emerge earlier in the spring. Synchronization with hosts : Many insects have evolved to synchronize their life cycles with those of their host plants or animals. Changes in temperature can disrupt this synchronization, affecting population dynamics and potentially leading to mismatches between predators and prey or parasites and hosts.
Impact of atmospheric CO₂ increase on agricultural insect pests.
Impact of Heavy Precipitation and Drought on agricultural insect pests. Impact of Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Changes in precipitation patterns, characterized by decreased frequency but increased intensity, result in more droughts and floods. Heavy rainfall and flooding can directly threaten the survival of soil-dwelling insects by affecting their diapause and washing away insect eggs and larvae. Small-bodied pests like aphids, mites, jassids and whiteflies are particularly vulnerable to being washed away during heavy rains. Drought and Herbivorous Insects Drought conditions impact herbivorous insects through multiple mechanisms: Suitable Conditions : Dry climates can be conducive to the development and growth of herbivorous insects. Attraction to Stressed Plants : Drought-stressed plants attract certain insect species. For example, the ultrasonic emissions produced by cavitating xylem in drought-stressed plants attract harmful bark beetles. Decreased Plant Defence : Plants under drought stress produce fewer secondary metabolites, making them more susceptible to insect attacks.
Impact of heavy Precipitation and Drought on agricultural insect pests.
Climate change favours locust swarms, India increasingly at risk Infestation of desert locusts ( Schistocerca gregaria ), which has plagued a vast swathe from Eastern Africa to India in recent years, has been closely linked to climate change. The warming of the Indian Ocean due to climate change is cited as the main reason for the proliferation of locusts that are now ranging from the horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula to the Indian subcontinent. The largest locust swarm in close to three decades is eviscerating farmlands in western and northern India, spreading panic among farmers getting ready to sow the country’s main summer crop.
Reduced Effectiveness of Biological Control Agents - Natural Enemies Climate change significantly impacts the dynamics between insect pests and their natural enemies, affecting biological control programs. Temperature changes can cause temporal desynchronization between pests and their predators or parasitoids, potentially leading to ineffective pest control and even extinction of natural enemies. For instance, if natural enemies emerge too early due to warmer springs, they may die from lack of prey. Shifts in crop distribution due to climate change can also cause spatial desynchronization, where herbivores move to new areas without their predators.
Increased Incidence of Plant Diseases Transmitted by Insect Vectors Insects play a crucial role in transmitting plant diseases, significantly impacting global food production. Climate change affects the abundance, distribution, and efficiency of insect vectors, thereby influencing the spread of plant viruses, phytoplasmas and bacteria. Global warming and altered precipitation patterns can increase insect vector populations and expand their geographic ranges, enhancing the transmission of diseases. Aphids, whiteflies, and leafhoppers, major vectors of plant viruses, are particularly sensitive to climate change. Warmer temperatures and milder winters can lead to higher survival rates and faster reproduction of these insects, increasing disease incidence.
Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Pest Management in a Changing Climate Climate Change Adaptation and Pest Management Adaptation as a Process : Implementing existing risk management strategies to reduce risks from climate change impacts is an ongoing process. Unpredictability : Climate change makes pest infestations more unpredictable and increases their geographic range. Adaptive Capacity : Local communities ability to adapt pest management practices depends on physical, social and financial resources. Uncertainty and Global Trade : Climate change and global trade increase uncertainties and the frequency of new and existing pest occurrences .
Potential pest management strategies for mitigation and adaption to new environmental conditions.
Conclusions Climate change significantly affects agricultural cultivation and associated insect pests, introducing uncertainties such as temperature increases, atmospheric CO2 levels, changing precipitation patterns, and relative humidity. Increased overwintering survival and faster generational development will boost pest abundance, while insect-transmitted plant diseases will become more prevalent. A proactive, scientific approach involving modified Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, climate and pest monitoring, and predictive modeling tools is essential to mitigate these risks and ensure sustainable agricultural production.