A new study has revealed that global warming is resulting in the spread of crop pests towards the North and South Poles at a rate of nearly 3 km a year.
The study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change and carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter and the University of Oxford, shows a strong relationship between increased global temperatures over the past 50 years and expansion in the range of crop pests.
Currently 10-16% of global crop production is lost to pests. Crop pests include fungi, bacteria, viruses, insects, nematodes, viroids and oomycetes. The diversity of crop pests continues to expand and new strains are continually evolving. Losses of major crops to fungi, and fungi-like microorganisms, amount to enough to feed nearly nine percent of today’s global population. The study suggests that these figures will increase further if global temperatures continue to rise as predicted.
The spread of pests is caused by both human activities and natural processes but is thought to be primarily the result of international freight transportation. The study suggests that the warming climate is allowing pests to become established in previously unsuitable regions. For example, warming generally stimulates insect herbivory at higher latitudes as seen in outbreaks of the Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) that has destroyed large areas of pine forest in the US Pacific Northwest. In addition, the rice blast fungus which is present in over 80 countries, and has a dramatic effect both on the agricultural economy and ecosystem health, has now moved to wheat. Considered a new disease, wheat blast is sharply reducing wheat yields in Brazil.
Dr Dan Bebber from the University of Exeter said: “If crop pests continue to march polewards as the Earth warms the combined effects of a growing world population and the increased loss of crops to pests will pose a serious threat to global food security.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Crop pests
- These 5 invasive insects are destroying SC the most. Here are the best ways to fight them offon April 27, 2024 at 5:48 am
Here are the five invasive insects that are destroying South Carolina the most and the best ways to fight them off.
- Sorry, but that owl decoy won’t stop critters from destroying your cropson April 26, 2024 at 10:00 pm
Even the most skittish prey animals are wise enough to figure out that the scary statue isn’t likely to cause them any harm.
- Cicada emergence brings trillions of insects above ground across USon April 26, 2024 at 3:00 am
Begun, the emergence, has. The great cicada emergence of 2024 is underway. Trillions of the insects are expected to crawl from below the surface to breed before dying off. The last time these specific ...
- Spices to deter common garden pests – 3 natural repellents for the backyardon April 26, 2024 at 2:30 am
Using spices from the kitchen cupboard is a quick and easy way to prevent pest infestations in your garden borders ...
- My gardening must-haves will stop pests and animals from snacking on your crops – plus ‘easy-growers’ for beginnerson April 25, 2024 at 7:11 am
A GARDENING expert has revealed organic tips for keeping pests away from homegrown fruit and vegetables. She said many foods can thrive in backyards and listed those perfect for beginners to ...
- Parliament endorses EU emergency team to combat the entry of crop-damaging pestson April 25, 2024 at 6:47 am
At a plenary session of the European Parliament on 24 April, MEPs voted in favour of an amendment to the Plant Health Regulation, providing for the establishment of a European emergency team to ...
- Bayer aims to launch first bioinsecticide for arable cropson April 25, 2024 at 12:30 am
Bayer has signed an agreement with UK-based company AlphaBio Control to secure an exclusive license for a new biological insecticide.
- Does warm spring mean more pest pressure?on April 25, 2024 at 12:01 am
A warm spring did its part to set the stage for early planting, but that warm weather could also spell trouble for insect pest pressure. While it can be difficult to predict which insects will cause ...
- Are cicadas dangerous? Busting myths on the harmfulness of the noisy pests.on April 24, 2024 at 3:09 am
Cicadas are a nuisance, but that doesn't mean they're dangerous. Here's what to know about the harm to you and your yard before they arrive this year.
- 15 Companion Plants for Tomatoes—and 5 to Avoid—for Your Best Crop Yeton April 22, 2024 at 6:39 am
Brassicas: Any plant in the Brassica family, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, and cabbage, tend to attract pests like aphids and cabbage worms, which can harm tomatoes. They will ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Crop pests
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Crop pests” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Crop losses
- News-Herald baseball Top of the Crop for April 26on April 26, 2024 at 6:12 pm
VASJ (10-4) Crop comments: University continued its fast start with wins against Mentor (11-1) and St. Edward (2-0). Berea-Midpark came close to erasing a four-run lead for the Preppers, but they held ...
- Ethiopian Farmers Receive Crop Insurance Compensation for the First Timeon April 26, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Smallholder farmers in two woredas of Ethiopia have etched their names in history by becoming the first recipients of crop insurance compensation. In response to the pressing need for climate risk ...
- Solar panels may prevent crop loss and regenerate clean energyon April 25, 2024 at 11:42 am
According to Derek Whitelock, agricultural engineer at the USDA ARS Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Las Cruces, NM, the United States needs more solar panels to produce renewable energy. Since a ...
- Punjab Govt Has Failed To Provide Relief For Crop Loss: Congress Leaderon April 23, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Punjab's Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his government's ...
- Pakistani and Chinese companies to control Canola Crop losseson April 23, 2024 at 10:39 am
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Chinese companies under a joint venture have engaged themselves to control Canola Crop losses.They have undertaken the task in the Bhakkar district of Punjab. Pakistan’s ...
- Maguindanao Sur under state of calamity as crop losses reach P345-Mon April 23, 2024 at 2:26 am
Maguindanao del Sur Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu has approved a resolution declaring the entire province a state of calamity due to huge agricultural losses brought about by drought.“The ...
- News-Herald softball Top of the Crop for April 22on April 22, 2024 at 11:39 pm
Mentor 11-6 3: (3) Riverside 11-8 4: (1) North 11-5 5: (2) Chardon 9-5 6: (6) Perry 13-3 7: (7) South 8-4 8: (9) Wicklife 6-1 9: (NR) Kenston 6-7 ...
- 'The government doesn't care': PM insurance rubs salt into crop-loss woundon April 22, 2024 at 9:28 pm
The Centre launched the PMFBY in 2016 with the support of the states. The farmers had to pay 2 per cent of the premium for Kharif food and oilseed crops and 1.5 per cent for Rabi crops, with the state ...
- Many large row crop farmers purchase insurance to prep for loss. Few specialty producers do the sameon April 22, 2024 at 12:30 pm
The USDA Risk Management Agency has been taking incremental steps to adapt the insurance design to account for climate change. For example, in 2017, it began providing up to a $5-per-acre premium ...
- Documenting disaster is an important action itemon April 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm
In 2023, major disasters and severe weather caused more than $21 billion in crop losses across the United States, the American Farm Bureau Federation recently reported. These estimates don’t ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Crop losses
[google_news title=”” keyword=”crop losses” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]