Insect infestation

An insect pest infestation is a recently detected insect pest population, including an incursion, or a sudden significant increase of an established insect, disease agents or weed population in an area leading to damage to plants in production fields, forests or natural habitats and causing substantial damage to productivity, biodiversity or natural resources (adapted from FAO, 2019).

Risk factors

Higher temperature, severe and extreme weather events and drought stress can all result in reduced vigour of trees, making them more vulnerable to outbreaks of native and introduced pests and diseases. For example, the dieback of millions of hectares of pine forests caused by outbreaks of native bark beetles in Central America, Europe and North America is associated with climate change, impacts of extreme weather events, and, in some cases, inadequate forest management practices (FAO, 2020b).

Favourable climatic conditions, disruption of ecosystems and negligence of crop/forest hygiene contribute to growth in insect populations which can cause substantial damage regularly. In many cases, long distance spread of insects results from transportation of infested goods.

Risk reduction measures

Following principles of sustainable plant production, sustainable forest management and integrated pest management practices are the best approach for control, focusing on diversified production systems, regular surveillance, preparedness before potential outbreaks, and a rapid response to prevent escalation to unmanageable scales (Guzewich et al., 1997). Post disaster needs assessment (PDNA) is designed to evaluate immediate needs for recovery and restoration for better disaster response (HIP).

Latest Insect infestation additions in the Knowledge Base

Researchers at INRAE, Sorbonne University, and the Chinese National Institute of Plant Protection have reconstructed the evolutionary history of a highly specific olfactory receptor in the Egyptian cotton leafworm, a crop pest.
National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment
The impact of the fall armyworm pest on maize crops and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new CABI-led research published as a Current Opinion article in the journal Environmental Sustainability.
CAB International
Fall armyworm eating leaves.
Most smallholder farmers surveyed in Uganda believe they can reduce damage caused by the fall armyworm with several management and control options available to help them mitigate the impacts of the potentially devastating crop pest.
PhysOrg, Omicron Technology Ltd
Amid rising temperatures and prolonged rainless periods due to climate change, large-scale attacks of pests and diseases in tea plantations across the country have become worrisome for planters with an estimated annual crop loss of around 147 million kg.
OutlookIndia - Outlook Group, the
The University of Queensland is working with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) to develop guidelines to help Australian grain growers decide when and how to treat fall armyworm (FAW) to save their crops and finances.
University of Queensland
A new study led by scientists from the Chinese MARA-CABI Joint Laboratory for Biosafety suggests greater awareness of biopesticide market availability, efficacy and field application processes could help tackle locust outbreaks in China.
CAB International
Intercropping – the practice of planting mixtures of crops – can be an effective pest management tool worldwide, a new University of Florida study shows.
University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Dying coconut trees
Consistent monitoring and surveillance of the deadly coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) in Vanuatu will be crucial for the country’s biosecurity team in the coming months following the destruction left behind by the four tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin.
Pacific Community
Bookshelves in a library.
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