Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Po-Yu Lai, Yu-Bing Huang, Yaw-Jen Dong, Li-Hsin Wu, and Shou-Horng Huang*

Abstract:

The onset of climate change is evidenced by increases in global average temperature and CO₂ concentrations, changes in precipitation patterns, and extreme climatic events. These changes directly affect the distribution, physiology, phenology, and population dynamics of insect species, while the abundance of individual species may also be indirectly affected through tritrophic interactions. The effects of these factors on insects remain complex and unpredictable. The ongoing warming trend may shift Taiwan's climate towards tropical conditions, creating a more favorable environment for multivoltine rice insect pests. Various prediction models have been developed to estimate each insect species' potential impact and yield loss under climate change conditions, based on their ecology and phenology. However, it is crucial to prioritize and continuously monitor changes in species composition and pest populations in rice fields. In Taiwan, implementing effective pest control measures involves developing appropriate varieties and cropping patterns for different ecological zones, breeding resistant varieties with resilient genes, creating suitable habitats for natural enemies, using bio- and low-toxicity pesticides to control insect pests, protecting natural enemies, and screening new and multifunctional pesticides to keep pest populations below economically damaging levels.

Key words:Climate change, Taiwan, Rice, Pest management

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