Dynamic role of grasslands as sources of soil-dwelling insect pests: New insights from in silico experiments for pest management strategies

Abstract

Highlights: The role of grassland in field colonisation by insect pests is investigated in silico  Population dynamics of wireworms is modelled, accounting for life cycle and dispersion  Spatiotemporal effects of grassland in field history, field neighbourhood or their interaction, depend on the pest life cycle and its dispersal capacity  Grassy areas can act either as pseudo-sinks or as sources on neighbouring crops  Control strategies based on grassland arrangements appear trait-specific

Influence of Biochar on Soil Insect Dynamics and Infestation

“…Insect pests are almost a year-round problem in the whole universe. Pests can be above ground or below ground [23]. While it is somewhat easier to observe foliar insects, it is a daunting task to really know what is inside the soil before it is too late.…”

Alternative Strategies for Controlling Wireworms in Field Crops: A Review

“…It is commonly stated that grasslands, as well as uncropped field margins and areas, provide the most favorable habitat for egg-laying and larval development [10,32], and may act as reservoirs from which larvae and click beetles disperse into adjacent crops [33,34]. Field history, plus landscape context through its effect on click beetle dispersal, may shape the pest abundance at the field scale.…”

“…More generally, while landscape context has been identified as a risk factor (Section 2.1), habitat manipulation remains underused. In their theoretical study, Poggi et al [34] addressed the role of grassland in the field history, field neighborhood, and both. They have shown that species with a short life cycle are highly responsive to changes in land use, and that the neighborhood effect strongly relies on assumed dispersal mechanisms (random vs, directed movements).…”