California's vital fruit and nut supply is confronting an amplified threat from crop-destroying insects driven by climate change, as outlined in a study by researchers from UC Merced, the University of California's climate hub, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture California Climate Hub. The state's specialty crops, including almonds, peaches, and walnuts, are particularly susceptible to increasing insect populations due to rising temperatures.
The study pinpoints three major insect species—the codling moth, the peach twig borer, and the oriental fruit moth—as significant menaces to California's orchards. These pests are notorious for inflicting substantial damage on walnut, almond, and peach orchards, diminishing the quality of fruits and nuts.
Climate change, with its erratic seasonal shifts, disrupts the regular life cycle of these pests. The research indicates that these three insect species are anticipated to emerge 28 days earlier than usual in the spring, with the interval between each generation shortening by up to 19 days. Although these changes won't unfold simultaneously, scientists foresee a gradual escalation in pest numbers over the next 20 to 30 years.
Jhalendra Rijal, a co-author of the study and UC Cooperative Extension integrated pest management adviser, underscores the economic ramifications. The codling moth, a primary pest, occupies over 365,000 acres of California's walnut orchards. Controlling these pests, essential for preserving the fruit, becomes even more critical as additional generations within the same growing season are expected to heighten crop damage, escalating production costs for growers. Moreover, heightened use of insecticides poses threats to beneficial insects and the environment.
The study underscores the necessity for a re-evaluation of current pest management approaches and the development of adaptive strategies to counter the rising threat to specialty crops. Rijal emphasizes the need for revised guidelines, including adjustments to trap placement dates, to effectively monitor early pest activity. These findings underscore the challenges faced by California's agriculture sector due to climate change, necessitating proactive measures to protect crucial crops.
Source: www.newsweek.com