Tomato Red Spider Mite Risk with Climate Change

Jim Crocker
27th June, 2024

Tomato Red Spider Mite Risk with Climate Change

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Southwest University, China, predicted the global distribution of the tomato red spider mite, T. evansi, using historical data and environmental factors
  • The study found that the coldest quarterly mean temperature, coldest monthly minimum temperature, and annual precipitation are key factors in determining suitable habitats for T. evansi
  • The results indicate that T. evansi will likely expand northward and increase its range over time due to changing climate conditions, necessitating proactive pest management strategies
Tomato red spider mite Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a significant pest that inflicts severe damage on Solanaceous plants, leading to considerable economic losses globally. Researchers from Southwest University, China, utilized the maximum entropy model to predict the potential current (1970-2000) and future (2021-2060) global distribution of T. evansi based on historical occurrence records and high-resolution environmental data[1]. The model's efficacy was confirmed by mean values of the area under the curve (AUC) exceeding 0.96, indicating robust performance. The study identified three bioclimatic variables with the highest contributions to the model: the coldest quarterly mean temperature (bio11), coldest monthly minimum temperature (bio6), and annual precipitation (bio12). These factors were essential in determining the suitable habitats for T. evansi. The results revealed that currently, and in the future, a wide range of suitable areas exists across all continents except Antarctica. Notably, South America, Africa, and Oceania (Australia) exhibited substantial suitable areas, primarily categorized as moderately and low suitable. A comparative analysis of current and future suitable areas demonstrated a general trend of northward expansion and an increase in overall suitable regions over time. This suggests that T. evansi is likely to invade new territories as climate conditions change, emphasizing the need for proactive pest management strategies. The findings of this study are consistent with previous research on T. evansi's behavior and distribution. For instance, T. evansi's ability to suppress plant defenses has been documented, which enhances its reproductive performance and competitiveness[2]. This suppression allows T. evansi to outcompete other mite species, as observed in the Mediterranean region, where T. evansi displaced native Tetranychus species following its invasion[3]. The gregarious behavior and rapid population growth of T. evansi further exacerbate its impact, leading to severe damage to crops[4]. Moreover, the study's implications align with broader ecological concerns regarding climate change. Research indicates that the biological impact of rising temperatures is particularly severe for tropical species, which are already living near their optimal temperature[5]. As T. evansi expands its range due to climate change, it may encounter new environments that could either enhance or hinder its fitness, depending on the local climatic conditions. In conclusion, the study by Southwest University provides critical insights into the future distribution of T. evansi, highlighting the need for effective prevention and management strategies. By understanding the bioclimatic variables influencing T. evansi's distribution and anticipating its expansion patterns, stakeholders can better prepare for and mitigate the economic and ecological impacts of this invasive pest.

AgricultureEnvironmentEcology

References

Main Study

1) Current and future invasion risk of tomato red spider mite under climate change.

Published 27th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae140

Related Studies

2) Spider mites suppress tomato defenses downstream of jasmonate and salicylate independently of hormonal crosstalk.

https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.13075

3) The invasive spider mite Tetranychus evansi (Acari: Tetranychidae) alters community composition and host-plant use of native relatives.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-012-9645-7

4) Dispersal behavior of Tetranychus evansi and T. urticae on tomato at several spatial scales and densities: implications for integrated pest management.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095071

5) Impacts of climate warming on terrestrial ectotherms across latitude.

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0709472105


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