Pest management strategies under changing climates: Targeting life history vulnerabilities in the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Tucker)

Abstract

As climate change continues to modify temperature and moisture patterns, risks from pests and diseases may change as shifting temperature and rainfall conditions affect the range and activity of insects and diseases. The potential consequences of changing climate on pest management strategies must be understood for control measures to adapt to new environmental conditions. The redlegged earth mite (RLEM; Halotydeus destructor [Tucker]) is a prevalent pest that attacks pastures and crops across southern Australia and is typically controlled by pesticides. TIMERITE® is a pest management strategy focused on timing chemical control of RLEM populations during a critical period of vulnerability in the mite’s lifecycle based on historical climate. In this study, we enhance the TIMERITE® strategy by incorporating dynamic management and climatic conditions. Our findings demonstrate that climate change over the past two decades have generally shifted the optimal control window to earlier in the year, with future changes predicted to further shift optimal timings. Moreover, we extend the optimal control date of TIMERITE® to an optimal control window during spring, which maintains control efficacy against RLEM above 95% of the theoretical maximum. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of accounting for dynamic environmental responses when developing and implementing pest management strategies to ensure their long-term effectiveness. The increased robustness and flexibility of the updated TIMERITE® strategy will help farmers maintain pest control outcomes while balancing other farm management responsibilities, such as disease and weed management, ultimately leading to cost savings.