Скачать или смотреть PhD research takes a closer look at pests and beneficial insects in pulses

From drones to detailed field studies, researchers are taking a closer look at how weather and geography shape insect pressures in pulse crops. At Ag in Motion in Saskatchewan, University of Saskatchewan PhD student Teresa Aguiar-Cordero shared how her work with lygus bugs, aphids, and grasshoppers could help growers better understand both pests and their beneficial counterparts.

Aguiar-Cordero explained that her work began with studying lygus in faba beans and has now expanded to include aphids and grasshoppers in lentils. The focus is not only on the pests themselves but also on beneficial insects, with a goal of understanding how weather and geography affect population dynamics. “Something fascinating for me…is like how the weather and how the environmental variables can affect the insect densities,” she noted.

Beyond field sampling, Aguiar-Cordero is incorporating drone imagery into her research to monitor canopy health and assess how pest densities and pesticide treatments impact crop growth. This technology offers potential for early detection and management insights.

Weather conditions, particularly humidity, appear to play a complex role, with effects varying by species. “There are two species that are negatively affected by the humidity, and two others that…don’t,” she explained, adding that temperature responses differ as well.

While the project is still developing, the work highlights how environmental factors and new technology can come together to improve understanding and management of insect pressures in pulse production.

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