Migratory pests from mainland Southeast Asia, thriving under El Niño, are partially driving rice yield losses in southern China, a study led by Peking University has found.
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The researchers said the new findings were crucial for ensuring food security in the region through collaborative, international pest control strategies.
The scientists found that during El Niño years, warm, humid weather created favourable breeding conditions in the pest source region, while wind gusts helped them migrate to southern China.
The team from Peking University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang University, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany and the Laboratory of Dynamic Meteorology in France published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Food on April 18.
“Continued global warming will not only change the ecological niches of pests but also facilitate the increasing occurrence of crop pests, posing a major obstacle to stabilising food production,” the team said.
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The scientists urged international collaboration, which is key for minimising crop loss from pests as the world adapts to climate change.