The presentation was delivered as a part of Credit Seminar for the partial fulfillment of MSc (Agri.) degree in Extension Education. The global temperature over the last few decades has been constantly rising with a gradual change in other climatic parameters. It is a matter of grave concern that questions the existence of life on earth in future. Insects, being the most sensitive of all, are likely to be more affected than other life forms. But the effect of climate change on insects will affect all other living beings, either directly or indirectly. However, the precise impact of climate change on insects is somewhat uncertain because some climate changes may favor insects while others may inhibit a few insects. But it is certain that it will disrupt the ecological balance to which humans will be the worst sufferer. The purpose of the study is to (i) discuss the effect of different climatic parameters on insect pests and their natural enemies with reference to agriculture, and (ii) list out some of the measures to control the effects of climate change. The current study discusses some of the incidences of adverse effects of climate change on insects with special reference to Assam. Besides, it also depicts some of the novel strategies undertaken by the scientists of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat and other extension personnel to create awareness among the masses and mitigate such effects in Assam. It also gives emphasis on entomophagy (use of insects as human food) and the socio-cultural effects associated with it owing to climate change and insect distribution pattern.

1. CREDIT
SEMINAR
Presenter –
Darpan Kumar Das
Regd. No.: 2017-AMJ-65
Title:
Climate Change and Insect Distribution:
Its Implications

2. 2
Objectives
02/41
To know the effect of changing pest
scenario in agriculture
To discuss some measures to control
the effects of climate change
To discuss the effect of different climatic parameters on
insects
To understand the effect of climate change on distribution
of insect-pests & their natural enemies

3. 3
KEY-POINTS
Effect of different climatic parameters on insects
Climate change, insect pests and their natural enemies
Climate change and beneficial insects
Population dynamics of insect pests
Climate change & efficacy of crop pest management
Socio-cultural effects of changing pest scenario
Strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change
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4. 4
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5. 5
Introduction
 Climate change is a matter of great concern that questions
the existence of life on earth in future.
 Global temperature rising constantly over the last few
decades.
 Gradual change in other climatic parameters.
 Among all other life forms, insect
community is likely to be more affected,
either positively or negatively.
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6. 6
A few age-old sayings…
“ Fireflies in great number indicate fair
weather.”
“ When hornets build their nests near the
ground, expect a cold & early winter.”
“ When cockroaches fly & ants build up
their mounds, expect rain.”
“ When bees fly close to the hive this
foretells bad weather, whereas bees that fly
far from the hive foretells good weather.”
Introduction
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7. 7
Effect of Different Climatic
Parameters on Insects
Effect of Temperature:
Extinction of tropical insects with 2 - 4oC rise in temperature.
Eg., Pod Sucking Bug has critical limit of 15-32oC but tropics maximum
already gone up to 33oC.
Lower winter mortality of insects due to warmer winter
temperatures.
Secondary pests may become serious pests.
Early arrival of migratory insects to overcome winter.
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8. Effect of Rainfall Pattern:
Removal of insects from crops by heavy rains.
Enhanced summer rainfall and drought conditions
promote rapid increase in the population of insects such
as Wireworm.
Brown Plant Hopper populations increase with
increase in precipitation upto 400ppm and decrease
with a precipitation >500ppm.
Fungal attack on insects due to high humidity.
8
Effect
of
different
climatic
parameters
on
insects
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9. Effect of CO2 Level:
CO2 levels increase C:N ratio in plant tissue which may
slow insect development and increase the length of life
stages.
Higher mortality rates due to parasitoids & natural
enemies.
High consumption of plants due to less nutrition.
Doubling of Brown Plant Hopper population at
elevated CO2 compared to ambient CO2. (Prasannakumar
et al., 2012).
9
Effect
of
different
climatic
parameters
on
insects
09/41

10. 10
Climate Change, Insect-Pests & their
Natural Enemies
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11. 11
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Further shifts in distribution
Extinction of species
Change in Phenology
Climate Change
Changes in Species Interaction
Change in Distribution
Change in Biodiversity & Community
Composition
Insect-Pests
&
their
Natural
Enemies
Menéndez (2007)

12. 12
Impact of Climate Change on Insect Survival and Population Build Up:
Summer Winter
Accelerated metabolic activities
Faster nutrient depletion
Early resumption of active growth
Early termination of diapause
Delay in onset of diapause
Low winter mortality
Increased insect survival
Early infestations
Increased population built-up
Heavy losses in crop yield
Increased Temperature
Fand et al. (2012)
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Insect-Pests
&
their
Natural
Enemies

13. Impact of Climate Change on Natural Enemies:
13
Insect-Pests
&
their
Natural
Enemies Parameter Nature of Effect Natural Enemy Reference
Survival Reduced when exposed to
abrupt change in
temperature, i.e., <12oC and
>35oC
Campoletis chlorideae
on chickpea pod borer
Dhillon &
Sharma
(2009)
Host
searching
ability
Decreased at higher
temperatures
Egg parasitoid,
Trichogramma
carverae
Thomson et
al. (2001)
Fecundity
(egg laying
capacity)
Reduced at temperatures
above threshold (>35oC)
Egg parasitoids, T.
pretiosum and
Trichogrammatoidea
bactrae
Naranjo
(1993)
Phenological
asynchrony
Poor synchronization in
emergence time between
parasitoid and its host
Parasitoids of leaf
miner
Grabenweger
et al. (2007)
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14. Impact of Climate Change on Insect Pest - Natural Enemy
Interactions:
Insect-Pests
&
their
Natural
Enemies
Climatic
Variability
Crop Insect Pest Natural Enemy Stage of
Insect
Potential
Impact
Decreased rainfall
in Sept and Oct
Sorghum Stem borer Trichogramma
chilonis
Eggs Increase
Increased rainfall
variability
Castor Semi-looper T. chilonis Eggs Decrease
Decreased rainfall
in June-Sept
Soybean Leaf eating
caterpillar
Cotesia flavipes,
Telenomus remus
Larvae
Eggs
Decrease
Decrease
Increased rainfall
events
Groundnut Leaf miner,
Leaf eating
caterpillar
T. chilonis,
T. remus,
C. flavipes
Eggs
Eggs
Larvae
Decrease
Decrease
Decrease
Dry weather
conditions
Chickpea,
pigeonpea
Pod borer Campoletis
chloridae
Larvae Decrease
Decreased August
rainfall
Rice Yellow stem
borer
Tetrastichus spp. Eggs Up to 100%
increase
Rao et al. (2010)
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15. 15
Climate Change & Beneficial Insects
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Natural Enemies / Predators
Insect Pollinators
Commercially Important Insects

16. Effect of Climate Change on Muga Silkworm:
16
Climate
Change
&
Beneficial
Insects
Tempr.: 30-35oC
R.H.: 80-85% Climate
Change
Diseases like Flacherie
& Grasserie
High incidence of Pests in Nearby Crops
Excessive use of Pesticides
Contaminated
Air
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17. Effect of Climate Change on Geographic Distribution of Insect Pests:
17
Insect Pests Host Plants Impact on Insect/ Behavioral Response Reference
Cotton bollworm /
Pod borer
Cotton, pulses,
vegetables
Expansion of geographic range in northern India,
northern Asia and Europe
Sharma et al.
(2005, 2010, 2013)
Corn earworm Maize • Range expansion to higher altitudes in northern
Europe and USA
• Increased overwintering
Diffenbaugh et al.
(2008)
Cottony cushion
scale
Polyphagous Populations appear to be spreading northwards Cannon (1998)
Cottony camellia
scale
Polyphagous • Extending its range northwards in England
• Increasing its host range
Cannon (1998)
European corn borer Maize • Populations appear to be spreading northwards
• An additional generation per season
Porter et al. (1991)
Climate Change & Population
Dynamics of Insect-Pests
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18. Impact of Climate Change on Pest Outbreaks:
18
Climate
Change
&
Population
Dynamics
of
Insect-Pests Insect Pests Host Plants Impact of Pest Outbreaks Reference
Papaya
mealybug
Papaya Significant yield loss in Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka & Maharashtra
Tanwar et al.
(2010)
Plant hoppers Rice Crop failure over more than 33,000
ha paddy area of North India
IARI (2008)
Mealybug Cotton,
vegetables
30-40% yield loss in Punjab &
Haryana
Dhawan et al.
(2007)
Sugarcane
woolly aphid
Sugarcane • 30% yield loss in Karnataka &
Maharashtra during 2002-03
• Reduced cane recovery
Joshi et al.
(2004)
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19. 19
Climate
Change
&
Population
Dynamics
of
Insect-Pests
A Recent Pest Outbreak in Assam
Outbreak of Swarming Caterpillar / Army
Worm / Hur Puk:
 Affected 30,204 ha of paddy
 22 districts of Assam in the year 2016
19/41
The Telegraph (16.09.2016)

20. A Recent Pest Outbreak in Assam …..contd.
Reason Behind:
20
Prolonged Dry
Spell
Heavy Rainfall
20/41
Climate
Change
&
Population
Dynamics
of
Insect-Pests

21. Loss of Orange orchards in hill districts of Assam:
21
Temperature increasing by 0.03oC & Rainfall decreasing by 2.96 mm
per year (Source: Assam State Action Plan On Climate Change: 2015-20)
Emerging pests: Looper, Stink Bug & Mealy Bug
Yield reduced by 93-95%
Farmers forced to look for alternative crops.
Jatinga, Dima Hasao: Orange growers reduced from 250 to only 20
Deithor, Karbi Anglong: From 200 growers to none.
Rahman (2018)
21/41
A Case Study from Assam
Climate
Change
&
Population
Dynamics
of
Insect-Pests

22. Impact of Climate Change on Pest Management Practices:
• Pest management practices like crop rotation, early/late planting,
etc. will be less or no effective due to early insect arrival and/or
increased winter survival.
• Disruption of synchrony between insect-pests and their natural
enemies may upset the natural biological control.
• Certain pesticides like pyrethroids, organophosphates & esp. the
biopesticides will be less or no effective due to faster degradation at
high temperature.
22
Climate Change & Efficacy of Crop
Pest Management
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23. Impact of Climate Change on Transgenic Crops for Pest
Management:
• Reduction of Bt toxins in transgenic plants due to high
temperature, elevated CO2 levels or drought.
• E.g., Cotton Bollworm damaged Bt-cotton in the second
half of the growing season in Australia due to reduced
production of Bt toxins in the transgenic crops (Hilder
and Boulter, 1999).
• Influence of environmental factors such as soil
moisture and soil fertility.
23
Climate
Change
&
Efficacy
of
Crop
Pest
Management
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24. 24
Socio-Cultural
Effect
of
Changing
Pest
Scenario
Local Dishes of
Assam prepared from
Insects
Socio-Cultural Effect of Changing
Pest Scenario
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25. A Few Edible Insects…
25
Socio-Cultural
Effect
of
Changing
Pest
Scenario
Red Ants and their Larva
(Rich in Tartaric Acid)
25/41

26. A Few Edible Insects…
26
Socio-Cultural
Effect
of
Changing
Pest
Scenario
Silkworm
(Rich in Protein)
26/41

27. A Few Edible Insects…
27
Socio-Cultural
Effect
of
Changing
Pest
Scenario
Crickets
(Rich in Protein)
27/41

28. A Few Edible Insects…
28
Socio-Cultural
Effect
of
Changing
Pest
Scenario
Paper Wasps and their Larva
(Rich in Protein)
28/41

29. 29
A Few Edible Insects…
Socio-Cultural
Effect
of
Changing
Pest
Scenario
Asian Giant
Hornet
(Rich in Protein)
29/41

30. A Few Edible Insects…
30
Socio-Cultural
Effect
of
Changing
Pest
Scenario
30/41
Winged Termite
(Rich in Fat & Protein)

31. • Local cuisines of people changing with decline or migration of
insects.
• Local people switching over to newer form of edible insects.
• E.g., the outbreak of the insect-pest White Grub Beetle has
recently led to the addition of a new insect recipe for the people of
Majuli (Assam).
31
Socio-Cultural
Effect
of
Changing
Pest
Scenario
31/41

32. • Insects have great potential in contributing to global food security.
• To meet the growing demands of protein, scientists looking
towards more edible species of insects as human food.
• According to FAO, about 1/3rd of the Earth’s population, or more
than 2 billion people, eat insects.
• Remaining population dependent on meat may soon transform
into insect-eaters, leading to a change in their food-habits & culture.
32
Socio-Cultural
Effect
of
Changing
Pest
Scenario
32/41

33. • Breeding varieties resistant to adverse climatic conditions and pest attack.
• Changing insect management strategies according to the projected changes
in pest incidence.
• Combining host plant resistance from the germplasm with the transgene
expression that is stable across environments, and locations.
• Crop diversification is one of the most effective methods of increasing the
activity and abundance of natural enemies.
• Developing pesticide formulations that will be least affected by climate
change.
33
Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of
Climate Change
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34. • Sensitization of farmers & extension workers about the climate change
associated incidence of crop pests and the different adaptation
strategies. This can be achieved through –
 organization of awareness campaigns, training and capacity-building
programmes,
 development of learning material and support guides for different
risk scenarios of pest, etc.
• Developing decision support system (DSS) for dissemination of
information on insect-pest data under diverse environmental conditions
for improved assessments well in advance.
• Promoting natural resource conservation by giving incentives to the
farmers adopting eco-friendly pest controlling activities such as organic
farming, bio-control, integrated pest management, habitat conservation
for important insect pollinators, etc.
34
Strategies
to
Mitigate
the
Effects
of
Climate
Change
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35. 35
Strategies
to
Mitigate
the
Effects
of
Climate
Change
Success Story from AAU, Jorhat
.
White Grub Beetle (Hati Puk)
MAJULI
Damage to 50% of
potato, sugarcane,
colocasia & green
gram cultivation
High Protein
High Carbohydrate
No Toxic Content
“Roast & Eat Your Foe
Before It Ruins Your Crops” Dr. Badal Bhattacharyya
35/41

36. 36
36/41
Video File Not Available
Youtube Link: (Click to view)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
ZaTKT_ftT5M

37. Success Story from AAU, Jorhat …..contd.
• Mass campaign against White Grub beetle: As many as
73,077 beetles caught in 3 hours.
• Record event acknowledged by India Book of Records.
37
Strategies
to
Mitigate
the
Effects
of
Climate
Change
37/41

38. Success Story from AAU, Jorhat …..contd.
• To create awareness among the local farmers, introduced a social
engineering tool with multiple uses.
38
Strategies
to
Mitigate
the
Effects
of
Climate
Change
Rain Head Umbrella
38/41

39. Global warming and climate change virtually affects all the possible changes in
insects in one way or other.
Precise impact of climate change on insects is somewhat uncertain because
some climate changes may favor insects while others may inhibit a few insects.
But it will disrupt the ecological balance to which humans will be the worst
sufferer.
39
Conclusion
39/41
“Climate change hits tiny insects first and worst,
even though they’ve contributed least to it.
Demand global action, while there’s still time.”

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production/integrated -pest-management/effects-of-climate-change-on-insect-pests-dynamics
Fand, B. B., Kamble, A. L. & Kumar, M. (2012). Will climate change pose serious threat to crop pest management: A critical review?
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Karuppaiah, V. & Sujayanad, G. K. (2012). Impact of Climate Change on Population Dynamics of Insect Pests. World Journal of Agricultural
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Profitable Responses.
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3579-3582
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Sharma, H. C. & Prabhakar, C. S. (2014). Impact of Climate Change on Pest Management and Food Security. In: D. P. Abrol (Ed) Integrated
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40
Bibliography
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41. Thank You