Of pests and climate change
The locust attack in western India is not just another local phenomoenon. Eventually, it traces back to climate change
Climate mapping can point to danger spots where new pest threatens Africa’s cycads
Cycads, the world’s oldest seed-producing plants, are facing extinction. Africa is home to a variety of cycad species
Locust attack: Global swarming
The increase in frequency of climate change-triggered events, like cyclones, has resulted in extended and multiple breeding seasons of locusts …
Fall Armyworm attack: Low maize yield reduces cattle feed
While farmers say their cereal production has dropped to half, officials claim the pest’s effect on the state is minimal
Why India is vulnerable to attacks by alien species
The country has faced at least 10 major invasive pest and weed attacks in the past 15 years, with most recent being the fall armyworm that …
Birds impacting agricultural crops a major concern
Many avian species damage crops during sowing, seedling and ripening stages, leading to economic losses to farmers
Fall Armyworm attack: Rwanda fights it back successfully
The country couldn’t predict the pest attack owing to few resources, but it successfully minimised its impact within a year of identifying it
Are GM crops a real solution to pest attacks in Africa?
Adoption of GM crops is widely cited as a solution to combat pest resistance, but if recent developments are considered, the answer is not that simple
Pest attacks on rise across India, yet no discussion on spurious pesticides
As allegedly fake pesticides prove ineffective in controlling pests, farmers resort to indiscriminate spraying
Ecologically based rodent management can help control pests in rural India
Full community engagement, reducing access to food and shelter and direct killing is the best way to manage rodent populations
Journey of the Fall Armyworm
Fall Armyworm has infested crops in over 50 countries across two continents in just over two years
Fall Armyworm attack: Odisha braces itself for the pest
After its attack last year, the state agriculture department issued advisories to all districts and distributed leaflets listing preventive and …
Lessons on how to effectively tackle insect invasions
There are alternatives to pesticides including integrated pest management. This is an approach that doesn’t rule out the use of pesticides, …
Fall Armyworm attack: Maharashtra grappling with the chaos
While the deadly pest has infested close to 15 districts of Maharashtra, many farmers lack any knowledge about it
FAW attack: Centre orders seed treatment with ‘unapproved’ chemicals
The government has recommended use of controversial chemicals for treatment of seeds without prior permission from the Central Insecticide Board …
Alien pest invades farmlands in Africa, destroys crops in more than 10 countries
Unlike the native pest, the fall armyworm from the Americas is harder to detect and eradicate
How scientists contained a deadly tomato pest that travelled across the world
Though tomato is the primary host, Tuta absoluta attacks other vegetable crops as well. If not properly managed, the leaf-miner can cause 100 per …
Crops failing against rising temperatures, pest attacks: Study
Rising temperatures due to climate change may be compounding the stress on crops in multiple ways, it says
Tracking locust attack: Jaipur firemen go the extra mile to resist invasion
Officials destroy huge swarm of locusts that had taken residence at Mahar Kalan in Karanpur village
After an erratic monsoon, farmers in nine states struggle with pest outbreaks
Although most states in India lose five to 10 per cent of crops to pest attacks every year, the scale and intensity of the recent attacks is a …
Number of crop pests have increased seven-fold, says industry report
Almost 20 per cent of world’s agricultural production is lost because of post-harvest pest attacks, says joint report of FICCI and Tata …
Cotton Curse: How pink bollworm developed resistance to Bt Cotton
Entomologists say early and late sowing, long-duration crops and not planting other varieties against advice may have contributed to resistance …
Fall Armyworm attack: 'Eastern India more vulnerable to infestation'
Warmer temperatures increase the metabolism and reproductive rates of the pest
Chilli under attack: New thrips species destroys farms in 6 states
Farmers are being pushed to suicide amid market shortage
Savage mode: In a warmer, wetter world, pests are multiplying faster and damaging crops severely
If such attacks increase, it will affect the critical food supply and overall yield