When the weather turns cold, we tuck away in the coziest spot we can find. Similarly, pests in their environment do the same, hiding in warm spots, overwintering in a state of diapause or hibernation, as they wait for spring.
Diapause is a crucial adaptation for many insect species, allowing them to survive in environments that would otherwise be unfavorable due to factors such as food shortages and cold temperatures. During diapause, an insect's growth and development are either suspended or significantly slowed, helping it conserve energy and endure adverse conditions. Unlike hibernation, which is a state of dormancy, diapause is a developmental pause that can occur at various life stages, such as eggs, larvae, or pupae. Hibernation, on the other hand, involves a significant decrease in metabolic activity, body temperature, and energy expenditure, enabling pest insects to survive harsh winter conditions.
Greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum adult
Managing springtime pest outbreaks
As temperatures rise and rain falls in spring, crops begin to grow. Whether in annual crops like potatoes, onions, soybeans, and corn, or in perennial crops like oranges, apples, pears, and cherries, the return of plant growth creates a favorable environment for pests to emerge from diapause or hibernation and resume reproduction in the field. This phase is important because it represents a new opportunity for pests to proliferate, which can negatively impact crop production.
Crops sown in spring or autumn face a significant risk of pest outbreaks that can last until temperatures drop again. These outbreaks often cause early damage to sensitive crop stages, such as seedlings, potentially compromising the crop's future. In severe cases, this early damage may necessitate re-sowing, leading to additional costs and potential production delays. Even if re-sowing is avoided, the initial damage can weaken plant development, resulting in reduced yields at harvest, and impacting overall yield for growers.
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