The explosion of pests and diseases due to climate change

Abstract

Climate change has been felt over the last few decades in Indonesia, especially in Aceh. Uncertain climatic conditions can affect crop production and food distribution. Insect pests and plant pathogens respond differently to various causes of climate change. An increase in temperature causes changes in the behavior of pests and diseases in terms of their ability to attack. This review discusses the impact of rising temperatures and CO2 levels in the atmosphere on the ability to attack insect pests and pathogens on crops. Global climate warming is expected to trigger an expansion of pests and disease geographic distribution from lowland to highland, increase their survival, and increase the number of new host plants. The survey carried out in Central Aceh on an Arabica coffee plantation showed that leaf spots caused by Hemiliea vastatrix can attack a coffee plantation at an altitude of 1.400 meters, while the same case is also found at the same altitude where coffee berry borer pest (Hyphothenemus hampei) and coffee leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella) can attack arabica coffee plantation. A comprehensive assessment of the impact of climate change on pests and plant diseases needs to be carried out to get an integrated pest management strategy.