Even as Insect Populations Decline, Insects Are Causing Unprecedented Levels of Plant Damage

According to recent research done by researchers from the University of Wyoming, insects are currently harming plants to unprecedented levels despite an overall reduction in insect populations.

Researchers Issue a Dangerous Levels of Insect Warning for Plants

(Photo : Jenna Lee/Unsplash)

In the first study of its sort, the damage caused by insect herbivores to plants now was compared to fossilized leaves that date back to the Late Cretaceous, or roughly 67 million years ago.

Recent publication of the findings in the esteemed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, as per SciTechDaily.

The study was carried out by University of Wyoming Ph.D. alumna Lauren Azevedo-Schmidt, University of Wyoming Assistant Professor Emily Meineke, and Professor Ellen Currano of the Departments of Geology and Geophysics and Botany, respectively.

The petrified leaves from the Late Cretaceous through the Pleistocene epoch, or just over 2 million years ago, were investigated in the study.

Then, Azevedo-Schmidt compared them to leaves she had taken from three contemporary woodlands.

The extensive study examined many forms of insect-caused damage and discovered significant increases in all contemporary damage compared to the fossil record.

The experts believed that urbanization, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species have all likely had a significant impact, while additional research is needed to pinpoint the exact causes of increasing insect damage to plants.

However, they claimed that the rise in insect damage is not entirely explained by climate change.

According to the researchers, this research suggests that human interaction with the terrestrial landscape, rather than just climatic change, controls the extent of human effect on plant-insect relationships.

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Protecting plants from insect damage

Nothing in gardening is more frustrating than spending time cultivating and pruning the ideal location just to have insects take over, as per Access Garden Product.

You can simply care for plants and crops in any weather by adding a greenhouse to your garden.

However, they are also the ideal environment for the development of pests, such as gnats, aphids, mites, and whiteflies.

Insect management in greenhouses is essential to maintain healthy, thriving plants because of the tight quarters and warm, humid conditions.

Examine plants meticulously.

Chances are, greenhouse pests are already present on your plant, whether you bought it from a garden center, transported it from your backyard, or received it as a gift from a friend.

Every plant you bring into your greenhouse must be thoroughly inspected for insects before you bring it inside to avoid unintentional pest introduction.

As different species are drawn to particular plants, it is important to monitor a variety of plants.

Best practices for greenhouse pest control suggest inspecting at least 1% of the plants there each time.

Maintain order and cleanliness.

To stop the spread of diseases or pests, it's crucial to maintain a tidy and clean greenhouse.

In order to prevent a greenhouse insect infestation, it's essential to maintain clean and sterile tools and other equipment in addition to using clean or sterile soils.

Keep the area clean.

The quantity of pests you might encounter within your greenhouse can be decreased by keeping the area around it clean and manicured.

The amount of pests that are brought to your greenhouse can be greatly decreased by getting rid of any weeds and maintaining a neat and orderly environment.