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

Surya Kant Shrivastava (Former Professor, Department of Entomology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India)
Ravindra Chandra Joshi (Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippines)
Anand Prakash (Former Principal Scientist, Division of Entomology, National Rice Research Institute, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Cuttack, Orissa, India 753006)

Wallacea Plant Protection Journal
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026)

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.