Possible Impacts of Climate Change on Rice Insect Pests and Management Tactics in Taiwan

Abstract

Climate change may have an effect on all organisms, including plants, insects and their interactions among weather, plants and herbivores. Moreover, the insect physiology, behavior, development and species distribution may also be affected in a changing climate. On the other hand, the population abundance of an insect species is manipulated by the host plant, natural enemies or extreme weather conditions. The current warming trend may drive the climate pattern of Taiwan from subtropics to tropics in the future, and provide more suitable conditions for propagations of most rice insect pests excluding those of obligatory univoltine. At present, the impacts of climate change on insect pests are not clear and unpredictable. The successive monitoring changes in pests' population in the paddy fields is a priority job for pest control. Once the key insect pests have been identified, the follow-up control measure can be set-up and apply at right place in the right time. Concluding from the experience and research findings in either tropical or temperate region, the integrated pest control system incorporating cultural and biological control is still the best tactics for lower down pest populations under acceptable levels. Pesticides are used only when they are needed.