Carrion-centric insects in plant protection and agroecosystem sustainability: A review

Shrivastava, Surya Kant; Joshi, Ravindra Chandra; Prakash, Anand

doi:10.64128/wppj.v2i1.52326

Open access Jurnal

Carrion-centric insects in plant protection and agroecosystem sustainability: A review

Wallacea Plant Protection Journal · Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026) · pp. 34–51

DOI: 10.64128/wppj.v2i1.52326
ISSN: 3090-5079
Published: 2026-05-31
Publisher: Department of Plant Pest and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University
Language: en
License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Abstract

Carrion-centric insects function as vital components in maintaining agroecosystem stability and crop health. This review examines the multifaceted contributions of carrion-centric insects, specifically within the orders Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera, as essential drivers of plant protection and soil ecosystem functionality. While these organisms accelerate the decomposition of dead organic mass and facilitate critical nutrient cycling pathways such as nitrogen mineralization and elemental translocation into the rhizosphere, current conservation and agricultural literature remains predominantly vertebrate-centric, leaving a significant gap in the understanding of invertebrate-led crop ecosystem services. This review bridges that gap by establishing an agroecosystem-centered framework that links carrion-centric insect activity directly to soil-rhizosphere health, crop pollination, and sustainable plant protection. The dual functional roles of these insects as non-bee crop pollinators and drivers of specialized soil microbiomes that stimulate systemic acquired resistance against phytopathogens are critically evaluated. Furthermore, the industrial biomanufacturing of insect-derived biopolymers, particularly chitosan and its derivatives, offers a nature-based platform for eco-friendly pest management, seed coatings, and controlled-release biopesticides, replacing traditional synthetic inputs within circular agricultural economies. To ensure biosecure field integration, these agro-ecological services are reconciled with pathogen vector risks through structured spatial management and a One Health biosecurity framework. Aligning insect-centric agroecosystem management with international environmental mandates, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and UN Sustainable Development Goal 15, is essential for building resilient agricultural landscapes. Ultimately, incorporating carrion-centric insects into modern plant protection strategies provides an indispensable foundation for sustainable crop health, biological pest suppression, and long-term agroecological resilience.

Keywords

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15 authors · 58 co-authorship links

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Co-author	Organisation	Joint articles
M. Bayu Mario	Affiliation unknown	2
Wardani Syahrani	Affiliation unknown	1
Ito Fernando	Affiliation unknown	1
Rahmat Rahmat	Affiliation unknown	1
M. Takwa	Affiliation unknown	1
Athiyyah Salsabilla Lalisu	Affiliation unknown	1
A. M. Bintang Ramadhan Galigo	Affiliation unknown	1
Ahwiyah Ekawaty Said	Affiliation unknown	1
Yani Maharani	Affiliation unknown	1
Ahdin Gassa	Affiliation unknown	1
Waridha Syahrur Rahmawati	Affiliation unknown	1
Nuramaliya Nuramaliya	Affiliation unknown	1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/wppj/oai, first harvested 5 Nov 2026, last seen 5 Nov 2026.

Original metadata (oai_dc)

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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Carrion-centric insects in plant protection and agroecosystem sustainability: A review</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Shrivastava, Surya Kant</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Joshi, Ravindra Chandra</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Prakash, Anand</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Agroecosystem health</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Crop pollination</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Insect-derived biopolymers</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Plantt protection</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Rhizosphere microbiome</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Sustainable agriculture</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">Carrion-centric insects function as vital components in maintaining agroecosystem stability and crop health. This review examines the multifaceted contributions of carrion-centric insects, specifically within the orders Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera, as essential drivers of plant protection and soil ecosystem functionality. While these organisms accelerate the decomposition of dead organic mass and facilitate critical nutrient cycling pathways such as nitrogen mineralization and elemental translocation into the rhizosphere, current conservation and agricultural literature remains predominantly vertebrate-centric, leaving a significant gap in the understanding of invertebrate-led crop ecosystem services. This review bridges that gap by establishing an agroecosystem-centered framework that links carrion-centric insect activity directly to soil-rhizosphere health, crop pollination, and sustainable plant protection. The dual functional roles of these insects as non-bee crop pollinators and drivers of specialized soil microbiomes that stimulate systemic acquired resistance against phytopathogens are critically evaluated. Furthermore, the industrial biomanufacturing of insect-derived biopolymers, particularly chitosan and its derivatives, offers a nature-based platform for eco-friendly pest management, seed coatings, and controlled-release biopesticides, replacing traditional synthetic inputs within circular agricultural economies. To ensure biosecure field integration, these agro-ecological services are reconciled with pathogen vector risks through structured spatial management and a One Health biosecurity framework. Aligning insect-centric agroecosystem management with international environmental mandates, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and UN Sustainable Development Goal 15, is essential for building resilient agricultural landscapes. Ultimately, incorporating carrion-centric insects into modern plant protection strategies provides an indispensable foundation for sustainable crop health, biological pest suppression, and long-term agroecological resilience.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Department of Plant Pest and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-05-31</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
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	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/wppj/article/view/52326</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.64128/wppj.v2i1.52326</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Wallacea Plant Protection Journal; Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026); 34–51</dc:source>
	<dc:source>3090-5079</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.64128/wppj.v2i1</dc:source>
	<dc:language>en</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/wppj/article/view/52326/14917</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2026 Surya Kant Shrivastava, Ravindra Chandra Joshi, Anand Prakash</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0</dc:rights>
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