Insect Pest Management in Agricultural Systems

Insect pests represent one of the foremost biotic constraints to crop productivity worldwide, driving yield losses, increasing production costs and catalysing reliance on synthetic insecticides. Modern agricultural systems are therefore embracing integrated pest management approaches that combine cultural, biological, physical and chemical tactics to sustain crop health while reducing ecological impacts. Cultural methods include crop rotation, intercropping and timing of sowing to disrupt pest life cycles. Biological control exploits natural enemies such as parasitoids and predators to keep pest populations below economic thresholds. Physical barriers—ranging from fine-mesh nets to floating row covers—prevent pest ingress without chemical inputs. Chemical interventions are increasingly targeted and judicious, favouring reduced-risk products and biopesticides. Behavioural manipulation using semiochemicals or light-based cues has gained traction as a precision tool to repel, attract or monitor key pests. Advances in trap design, spectral optimisation and decision-support systems now enable earlier detection and more efficient suppression of damaging insects. Together, these innovations are reshaping pest management toward sustainability, resilience and global food security.

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Insect Pest Management in Agricultural Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in insect pest management in agricultural systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Integrated pest management (IPM): A holistic framework combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical methods to control pest populations below damaging levels while minimising environmental impact.

Push–pull strategy: A behavioural manipulation approach in which repellent stimuli (push) drive pests away from the crop, while attractive stimuli (pull) lure them toward traps or trap crops.

Phototaxis: The movement of organisms toward or away from a light source, exploited in light-based repellents and traps.

Sticky trap: A device coated with adhesive and often coloured or illuminated to attract and capture flying insects for monitoring or mass trapping.

Agronet (eco-friendly net): A fine-mesh physical barrier placed over crops to exclude insects while allowing air, light and water penetration.

References

1. Blue and UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disturb the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) from its host. Journal of Pest Science (2023).
2. A Greenhouse Test to Explore and Evaluate Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Insect Traps in the Monitoring and Control of Trialeurodes vaporariorum. Insects (2020).
3. Eco-Friendly Nets and Floating Row Covers Reduce Pest Infestation and Improve Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) Yields for Smallholder Farmers in Kenya. Agronomy (2014).