Insects are essential to agriculture, some as pollinators and others as predators of other insect species that feed on crops or spread viruses and other diseases. Herbivorous insects are responsible for destroying up to 20% of the world’s total crop production annually and up to 50% is lost to a combination of pests and diseases.
Farmers employ many different strategies to try and limit these losses. Currently, pesticides are one of the primary methods of controlling insect pests, particularly insect larvae. However, many insecticides are non-specific and affect pollinators and beneficial species as well as pests, particularly when applied as an aerial spray. Pesticides are progressively being restricted by European legislation due to concerns about negative impacts on biodiversity and non-sustainability.
Insect sex pheromones provide environmentally-friendly alternatives to pesticides for pest management in agriculture.
