Climate change and pests: Emerging threats to California's tree crops

Climate change profoundly affects agricultural systems, with significant implications for California's tree nut and tree fruit orchards. We studied the impacts of climate change on key pests, including the navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella), oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta), peach twig borer (Anarsia lineatella), and codling moth (Cydia pomonella). These pests threaten crops such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts, peaches, and apples. Future climatic change is predicted to increase the number of generations due to rising temperatures. Likewise, the oriental fruit moth, peach twig borer, and codling moth are benefiting from warmer temperatures and milder winters, resulting in more generations per year and increased pressure on tree fruit crops. Integrated pest management (IPM) approaches must adapt to these new challenges, incorporating climate forecasts, enhanced monitoring techniques, and flexible, adaptive practices to mitigate the growing threats posed by these pests. By understanding the relationship between climate change and pest dynamics, we aim to provide growers and stakeholders with the insights and tools necessary to protect California's vital tree nut and fruit crops in a rapidly changing environment.