FORMATION OF THE ENTOMOCOMPLEX OF WHITE CABBAGE IN THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE OF UKRAINE: AN OVERVIEW OF THEORETICAL APPROACHES AND CURRENT TRENDS

Abstract

The article explores the formation of the entomocomplex of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) under current climatic changes and agrotechnical impacts in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. A comprehensive analysis of scientific sources, field observations, and climatic trends was carried out, revealing the growing influence of temperature anomalies, crop rotation violations, and agrocenosis simplification on the species composition and population dynamics of phytophagous insects. It was established that rising average annual temperatures contribute to the increase in the number of generations of major pests (e.g., Plutella xylostella, Mamestra brassicae), their expansion into new territories, and better overwintering. Early spring warming activates Phyllotreta spp., while warm autumns support the prolonged activity of Brevicoryne brassicae, increasing crop loss risks.Moreover, mild winters reduce depopulation pressure and accelerate the evolution of resistance to insecticides. Special attention is given to the role of crop rotation, planting structure, and field density, which significantly influence the entomofauna of cabbage crops. Cultivation of cabbage in monocultures, without proper crop rotation or buffer zones, leads to the accumulation of specialized pests and a decline in natural population regulators (entomophagous insects). The lack of spatial isolation between crop fields increases the risk of pest migration and the formation of outbreak centers. A general scheme is proposed to illustrate the interconnection between climatic, landscape, and agrotechnical factors in the population dynamics of pests. The need to revise traditional forecasting models and implement regional adaptive monitoring schemes that consider current climate transformations and the ecological features of agroecosystems is substantiated.