CURRENT CHALLENGES OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN THE ERA OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Abstract

Climate change has triggered alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns, impacting agroecosystems and acting as a decisive factor in agricultural pest dynamics, which presents significant new challenges for Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This study aimed to analyze the primary current challenges of IPM within agricultural systems under climate change scenarios, considering the interaction between pests, environmental variables, and management strategies. A qualitative, non-experimental, descriptive-analytical, and cross-sectional study was conducted, based on the interpretive analysis of scientific and technical data integrated with professional expertise in pest management. The results demonstrate that rising temperatures accelerate pest metabolism, expanding their geographic and altitudinal distribution while increasing the number of annual generations. Furthermore, a breakdown in phenological synchrony was identified, which invalidates traditional economic injury thresholds and undermines natural biological control. This dynamic increases production losses by up to 40% and promotes the reactive use of pesticides. It is concluded that Integrated Pest Management must evolve toward Climate-Smart Pest Management (CSPM). The integration of predictive models, bioproducts, and early warning systems is imperative to ensure adaptive and resilient plant health.