THE STUDY OF THE SPECIES COMPOSITION OF SPRING WHEAT PESTS AND INTEGRATED CONTROL METHODS

SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 32 THE STUDY OF THE SPECIES COMPOSITION OF SPRING WHEAT PESTS AND INTEGRATED CONTROL METHODS S.P. Usmonov1, A.A. Anvarov2 PhD in Agricultural Sciences, Associate Professor1 Master’s Student Andijan Institute of Agriculture and Agrotechnologies2 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17394118 Abstract. This article analyzes the species composition of winter wheat pests and their bioecological characteristics. Using field observations and entomological methods, the study determined the pest distribution, development time, and severity of plant damage, as well as the priority of pests belonging to the most common orders of Homoptera, Thysanoptera, and Lepidoptera. Keywords: winter wheat, pests, aphids, thrips, agronomic measures, biological and chemical control methods, integrated pest management. Introduction. It has been shown through analysis that winter wheat cultivation is of strategic importance in Uzbekistan's agriculture and constitutes the bulk of the country's grain balance. In recent years, due to climate change, disruption of the agroecosystem, and monoculture cultivation, there has been a sharp increase in the number and species composition of pests. In particular, it has been established that in some regions, yield reductions of up to 20% are due to pests. It is generally accepted that wheat acreage in Uzbekistan is approximately 1.1–1.2 million hectares annually. Yield reductions of up to 10–25% are due to pests. For example, grain thrips, aphids, and grain beetles significantly reduce crop quality. Pest numbers are related not only to agricultural practices but also to climate change (heat, cold, decreased spring precipitation, etc.). Some representatives of the order Homoptera are considered extremely dangerous not only as pests but also as vectors of viral diseases. Analysis of observations conducted in the Tashkent, Andijan, and Kashkadarya regions shows that pest composition varies by region. For example, wheat thrips are more common in the southern regions, while grain beetles are more common in the northern regions. This requires the development of territorial protection measures. As a rule, the use of chemicals leads to a decrease in the abundance of beneficial entomofauna (e.g., predatory beetles and parasitic wasps). Therefore, adaptive control, timely implementation of agronomic measures, the use of biological pesticides, and the use of chemical pesticides only when necessary are proposed as sustainable solutions. In wheat crops, thrips and aphids of the order Homoptera, as well as representatives of the orders Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, are considered priority pests. They not only disrupt plant nutrition but also pose a danger as vectors of various viral diseases. This makes it important to study the species composition of pests and improve territorial control measures. New data are presented on winter wheat pest species identified in the productive fields of the Bobur Mukhtar farm in the Andijan district of the Andijan region in 2025, their bioecological characteristics, and the effectiveness of agronomic, biological, and integrated control measures. Thrips are small insects belonging to the order Thysanoptera. Haplothrips tritici is found on wheat and other grain crops. It is widespread in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 33 Uzbekistan). In winter, it overwinters in plant debris or under the soil along with larvae and second-instar larvae. In summer, egg-laying begins in early June. Larvae hatch from the eggs and migrate one after another into the crop (ear, stem, and leaf) to feed. Damage caused by the larvae negatively impacts grain yield and quality. Grain weight decreases, and grain components (e.g., gluten, protein, etc.) are destroyed. An increase in the number of larvae and adult individuals in the ears led to significant yield losses. In a wheat field studied, damage by larvae was found to be up to 15-19%. Wheat grain yield losses manifested themselves as reduced grain weight, grain fragment deformation, and deterioration of grain color. Beneficial insects and ecological contacts are natural enemies (entomophages) of Haplothrips tritici, of which species such as Aeolothrips fasciatus and Aeolothrips intermedius are particularly significant. In wheat pest management, climatic factors, temperature, humidity, and plant development stages determine pest reproduction and activity. Monitoring and observation allow for the control of crops at different stages of development and the assessment of the extent of damage to spikelets, leaves, and stems. Agronomic measures are aimed at reducing the numbers of overwintering insects, larvae, and pupae through proper crop placement, harvesting of late crop residues, and soil tillage. Biological control involves controlling harmful thrips populations through the use of natural entomophages, entomopathogenic microorganisms, and preparations that are less toxic to nature, humans, and warm-blooded animals, as well as beneficial insects. When insect population densities exceed thresholds, chemicals, specifically insecticides, are used. However, these can disrupt the ecosystem, and thrips can develop resistance to these chemicals. Aphids—members of the Aphidoidea family—are among the most common and economically damaging pests of agricultural crops. They have small bodies, typically about 1.5–3 mm in length. Their body color can be green, yellow, brown, or black. They exist in winged and wingless forms, with winged females playing an important role in dispersal to new territories. The most common and harmful aphid species on winter wheat are Sitobion avenae (grain aphid), Rhopalosiphum padi (wheat aphid), Schizaphis graminum (green aphid), and Metopolophium dirhodum (flower aphid). These species are found in various regions of Uzbekistan and feed on the stems, leaves, and ears of wheat. As a result of their feeding, plant leaves turn yellow, photosynthesis slows, growth is stunted, and yields are reduced. Aphids are dangerous not only because of the direct damage they cause, but also because they can transmit viral diseases. For example, they transmit barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), disrupting normal plant development. As a result, grain yields are significantly reduced, in some cases, losses can reach 25-30 percent. Aphid population growth depends on climatic conditions: they typically thrive in cool and humid weather, while dry and hot weather reduces their numbers. In spring and early summer, aphid numbers increase rapidly, forming large colonies in crop fields. Particularly in monocultures—that is, when the same crop is grown for several consecutive years—aphids can spread in large numbers and cause significant damage. The common shield bug belongs to the Scutellaria family, order Hemiptera (hemipterans). The common shield bug is common in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Western Europe, and throughout the Middle East. Adults are 11–14 mm long. Their body color is yellow or yellowishgray, with a marbled surface. The posterior half of the forechest is whiter than the anterior. Two whitish spots are located at the base of the scutellum. The common shield bug is characterized by a well-developed abdomen. The tip of the scutellum is oval, the anterior side of the head is blunt, and the head is equal in length to its width. One of the characteristics of common shield bugs is SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 34 that they live in groups. At high temperatures and humidity during wheat ripening, shield bugs cause significant damage to crops. For example, in Uzbekistan, beetles overwinter in plant debris and among fallen acorns at altitudes up to 2,000 meters above sea level. In the foothills, when fallen leaves dry and air temperatures exceed 17°C, which occurs around mid-April, the beetles return to the wheat fields. The damage. In Central Asia, the beetles cause significant damage by sucking the sap from the stems and ears of wheat and barley. They cause significant damage to wheat fields over large areas, especially winter wheat. For example, six adult beetles can completely destroy 0.30 m² of wheat or barley during the heading period. If the beetles damage the stems later, the grain becomes brittle and has low protein content, and the quality of bread made from such flour deteriorates. In areas infested by the weevil, 55% of seed grains fail to germinate. In addition to barley and wheat, this weevil also damages rice. In some years, it is found in very large numbers in Uzbekistan. Mealybug (slime mold) - Lema melonopus L. (Beetles - order Coleoptera, family Chrysomelidae). Appearance. The beetle is 4-5 mm in size, the general coloration is light greenblue, the anterior part of the shoulder and legs are yellowish-red, the tip of the leg, paws and antennae are black, there are small parallel dots on the upper wing. The eggs are cylindrical, yellowish in color, 1 mm in size, attached 3-7 pieces to the grain leaf. The larva is 5-6 mm in size, the middle is thick and curly, light yellow or white, the head is black, the surface is covered with brown mucus, consisting of its own excrement, which protects the worm from enemies. The mealybug is a pest from among rodents, found in all grain fields of our republic. It overwinters in the soil. After hatching in the spring and feeding, the female lays up to 200 eggs in clusters of 37. The larva hatches from the egg in 7-14 days. The larva feeds on leaves for two weeks, sheds its mucous cover, and falls into the soil, where it pupates at a depth of 2-3 cm. After two weeks, the beetle emerges from the cocoon and remains in the soil until spring. The mealybug produces offspring once a year. It is essential to properly select and plant species (varieties) that are sensitive to environmental changes, resistant to drought, salinity, and other adverse factors, and possess high yield potential. Wheat is one such valuable, high-calorie, food crop, and a variety of industrial crops with numerous beneficial properties. Primary irrigation water is insufficient to produce large quantities of wheat, so the use of additional water resources and achieving the desired yield is a pressing issue in agriculture that needs to be addressed. To achieve this, it is necessary to select plots for wheat cultivation, correctly determine the ameliorative conditions of the fields, as well as the quantitative and qualitative parameters of irrigation water, and use them. The formation of a high-quality grain yield depends on many factors, including the genetic characteristics of the cultivated variety, soil and climate conditions, preceding crops, nutritional regimens, and irrigation. Due to the growing population, the demand for flour and flour products increases exponentially year after year. According to the data obtained, wheat seeds have the ability to absorb moisture from the soil at temperatures capable of melting ice. For example, at this temperature, with 90% soil moisture, a seed absorbs 11% of its own moisture mass within 15 hours. Based on the data presented above and in other similar literature, the dynamics of wheat germination were studied in an experiment. It is imperative to recognize that integrated pest control methods are especially important. First and foremost, it's essential to regularly monitor crops and prevent the formation of aphid colonies. Among agronomic measures, weed control, optimal irrigation, and proper fertilization are essential. Furthermore, maintaining populations of ladybugs, lacewings, and certain parasitic SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 35 flies, which are natural enemies of aphids, also contributes to a natural decline in aphid numbers. Chemical insecticides are used when necessary, but they are only effective when the economic threshold of damage is exceeded. This is because excessive use of chemicals leads to environmental problems, reduces beneficial entomofauna, and increases aphid resistance. Therefore, a combined control system based on biological and agronomic measures, with chemicals used only as needed, is optimal. Conclusion: There is substantial evidence to suggest that observations and analyses show that winter wheat pests, including thrips, aphids, and other insects, cause significant damage to plants during the growing season. Their feeding reduces plant growth, slows photosynthesis, prevents full ear formation, and reduces yield quality and quantity. The increase in pest numbers is closely linked to climate change, poor agricultural practices, and monoculture crop cultivation. Therefore, relying solely on chemicals to protect winter wheat is insufficient. 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