Biodiversity Day Feature Story: A Delicate Balance: Insect Pests, Pollinators and Food Production
In the delicate interplay between agricultural expansion and ecological sustainability, insects occupy a dual role—both as essential allies and as threats. ICRISAT works to ensure farming practices maintain this delicate balance between productivity and ecological sustainability.
Insects constitute nearly 75% of the total species on Earth. They play an important role as crop pest, pollinators and scavengers. Crop plants, the cornerstone of global food systems, face constant threats from more than 10,000 species of insect pests. The resulting losses are staggering: global crop yields decline by about 13% annually, currently valued at US$ 242 billion every year.
On the other hand, the insect population is declining globally. According to a 2019 global review published in Biological Conservation, 40% of insect species are in decline, and one-third are endangered. These figures present a paradox: we must feed a growing population, manage increasing pest pressures, and simultaneously preserve and enhance the biodiversity.
Agricultural Entomology: Balancing Threat and Support
Climate change is reshaping not only crop systems but also the behavior and distribution of insect populations—both pests and pollinators. Insect species once confined to tropical and subtropical zones are now expanding into temperate regions. Shifts in cropping patterns further influence where and how pests proliferate.
The rapidly changing dynamic has made conventional pest control, primarily synthetic pesticides, less reliable and more environmentally detrimental—disrupting beneficial insect populations and destabilizing natural ecosystems. This is where agricultural entomology and pathology become essential for managing pests, pathogens, and conserving natural enemies (predators and parasitoids that feed on insect pests) and pollinators for sustainable crop production. At ICRISAT, the entomology and pathology programs are built on a strategic four-pronged approach to restore and maintain this balance:
- Breeding for Resistance (Host Plant Resistance)
- Implementing Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM)
- Developing Early Warning Systems for Pest and Disease Outbreaks
- Training and Knowledge Sharing
Host Plant Resistance
One of the most environment friendly and sustainable strategies for pest management is Host Plant Resistance (HPR)—developing crop varieties that can naturally withstand pest/disease attacks. ICRISAT is at the forefront of this work, tapping into its vast collection of germplasms in the Genebank, to identify resistance traits across dryland crops.
For the past five decades, ICRISAT along with National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) partners, has been developing varieties resistant to blast, downy mildew, fusarium wilt, sterility mosaic, leaf spot, aflatoxins, shoot fly, stem borer, aphid, and Fall Armyworm resistance/tolerance to reduce dependency on chemical interventions. This approach promotes ecological balance and long-term farm productivity.
Integrated Pest and Disease Management
ICRISAT’s Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) strategies extend well beyond breeding for resistance. The institute’s Entomology and Pathology units collaborate closely to study insect-plant interactions and develop location-specific interventions to manage pests effectively. These strategies combine techniques such as crop rotation, habitat manipulation, physical and biological control methods, and the targeted use of pesticides. In addition, ICRISAT adopts eco-friendly management of crop pests by using greener molecules/ biological control without affecting the environment and soil health.
ICRISAT also conserves natural enemies and has demonstrated success in managing the pearl millet head miner and the sorghum Fall Armyworm.
In Niger, Africa where farmers faced severe losses from the millet head miner, ICRISAT researchers and partners turned to augmentative biological control, using the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor. The method has proven effective in curbing pest populations and has been successful among farmers. Similarly, Augmentative biological control using Telenomus remus and Trichogramma provided a safe, effective, and socially acceptable option to manage Fall Armyworm.
Early Warning Systems for Pest and Disease Outbreaks
ICRISAT actively monitors transboundary pests and pathogens and develops Early Warning Systems to anticipate potential outbreaks. These early alerts support informed cropping decisions, helping protect yields and mitigate the risk of widespread pest infestations.
The Center of Excellence on Climate Change Research for Plant Protection (CoE-CCRPP) at ICRISAT, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, developed machine learning-based systems for pest detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and early warning. ICRISAT integrates satellite imagery, remote sensing, drones, AI/ML, and forecasting tools for real-time farm monitoring and develops digital tools for farm-level decision-making.
In West Africa, a new tool called the "p_Locust Platform," launched as part of the SERVIR West Africa Program, led by ICRISAT and funded by USAID, is helping to predict and prevent locust outbreaks more effectively.
Training and Knowledge Sharing
Training and awareness are central to promoting Integrated Pest Management across the drylands of Asia and Africa. ICRISAT plays a vital role in this effort by working closely with CGIAR centers and NARS partners, creating a strong global-local connection.
A key resource in this knowledge-sharing effort is the ICRISAT Insect Museum, established in 2014 at the institute's headquarters in Hyderabad. The museum features over 200,000 insect specimens, including collections from Africa and Asia. These displays support learning by helping extension workers, students, researchers, and policymakers better understand insect biodiversity in different ecosystems.
Moving Forward
The relationship between insect pests and agriculture is dynamic and continuously shaped by environmental, biological, and human influences. In the face of accelerating climate change, the way forward requires a strategic, balanced approach—one that bridges global monitoring with locally adapted management practices. Strengthening partnerships, fostering knowledge exchange, and building skills at every level are essential to translating global challenges into effective, context-specific solutions.
This work aligns with SDGs 2, 12, 13, 11 & 15.
For media inquiries, contact:
Parkavi Kumar