Climate Change Impacts on Urban Pests

Climate change is the present "buzz word" in all major discussions on environment. Complexity involved has often made the subject controversial and allowed divided opinion. Is climate change part of sound science or not is under review by many governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Is the so called climate change an earthly phenomenon, or it is human induced, is debatable. If proven the consequences can be far reaching both environmentally and economically. However in the last decade enough evidence has been gathered showing human activity could be a prime reason for changes in global weather pattern, particularly increase in temperature. Insects are cold-blooded organisms and they cannot regulate their body temperature. Some researchers believe that the effect of temperature on insects largely overwhelms the effects of other environmental factors. It has been estimated that with a 2 C temperature increase insects might experience one to five additional life cycles per season. The subject of climate change and pest distribution is complex as it is inter dependent on a number of factors.Climate change is expected to alter not only the natural environment as a result of flooding or drought but also the urban environment as a result of changes in land use and human habitation. This book presents a review on the influence of climate changes on urban and public pests such as mosquitoes, flies, termites, rodents and others, with respect to population, distribution, disease, damages and control.