Pest Dynamics and Potential Emergence of New Biotypes Under Climate Change Scenario in Horticultural Crops

Insect pests are one of the major components of agricultural biodiversity, and like any other organisms, they are also vulnerable to climate change. Change is perceived to affect both directly and indirectly through their host plants. Insects, being cold-blooded, are more sensitive to climate variations. Increased temperature and CO2 levels have potential to alter their life cycle, population distributions, virulence, susceptibility to insecticides, and phenological synchrony with host plants which in turn will have profound effects on crop productivity. In attempt to adapt to emerging scenarios, there is a possibility of development of new biotypes which would throw new challenges in pest management. Biotypes of Bemisia tabaci are taken as a case study to discuss these implications. Another angle of the potential impact of climate change on insect pests is through their natural enemies. Climate change-induced responses of insects may be either beneficial or harmful, depending upon the nature and habitat of the species. Getting to know the potential responses of insect populations to climate change makes it possible to evaluate the pest management alternatives as well as to formulate our future management policies.