We present a synthetic review and expert consultation that assesses the actual risks posed by arthropod pests in four major crops, identifies targets for integrated pest management (IPM) in terms of cultivated land needing pest control and gauges the implementation “readiness” of non-chemical alternatives. Our assessment focuses on the world’s primary target pests for neonicotinoid-based management: western corn rootworm (WCR, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera ) in maize; wireworms ( Agriotes spp.) in maize and winter wheat; bird cherry-oat aphid ( Rhopalosiphum padi ) in winter wheat; brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens ) in rice; cotton aphid ( Aphis gossypii ) and silver-leaf whitefly (SLW, Bemisia tabaci ) in cotton. First, we queried scientific literature databases and consulted experts from different countries in Europe, North America, and Asia about available IPM tools for each crop-pest system. Next, using an online survey, we quantitatively assessed the economic relevance of target pests by compiling country-level records of crop damage, yield impacts, extent of insecticide usage, and “readiness” status of various pest management alternatives (i.e., research, plot-scale validation, grower-uptake). Biological control received considerable scientific attention, while agronomic strategies (e.g., crop rotation), insurance schemes, decision support systems (DSS), and innovative pesticide application modes were listed as key alternatives. Our study identifies opportunities to advance applied research, IPM technology validation, and grower education to halt or drastically reduce our over-reliance on systemic insecticides globally. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11356-020-09279-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Despite its large acreage, riparian wetland has been underutilized in Indonesia. Intensity of agricultural activities on this wetland was very low mainly due to two unfavorable extremes, i.e. unpredictable occurrence of flooding during rainy season and drought during dry season. Relevant, affordable, and acceptable technologies are required as solution to this problems. The technologies should be developed based on actual needs, preferences, and absorptive capacity of smallholder farmers, to ensure adoption. Objective of this study was to explore needs, preferences, and absorptive capacity of smallholder farmers through direct observation on their farming practices and dialogs on constraints in intensifying food production at riparian wetlands in Indonesia. The study was conducted at five villages in riparian wetland ecosystem in South Sumatera, Indonesia, from January to June 2016. This qualitative research was conducted in two stages: started with no-preconception Grounded Theory procedure; then, followed by questionnaire-guided survey. Results of this study indicated that intensive observation on farmer's practices and dialogs on constraints in intensifying food production could reveal needs, preferences, and absorptive capacity of smallholder farmers. Observed farmers' practices include land preparation and soil quality improvement, seedling preparation, transplanting, cropping management, and harvesting. Dialogs disclosed that unmanageable constraint but urgently needed by smallholder farmers in intensifying food production was technology solution for uncertain and uncontrollable natural flooding and drought occurrence at riparian wetlands. Government intervention is expected for constructing infrastructure for water management at riparian wetlands, i.e. polder system.

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