Canada releases the first ever biological control agent to tackle invasive common tansy
Canada has released the first ever biological control agent to tackle invasive common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), an invasive plant that negatively impacts the country and wider region’s livestock, rangeland, and native biodiversity. The release of the agent – a stem-mining weevil called Microplontus millefolii – marks a major milestone in…
First local harvest of Metarhizium rileyi spores marks milestone for fall armyworm management in Zambia
CABI's laboratory in Zambia has successfully harvested its first spores of a local strain of Metarhizium rileyi for the management of fall armyworm, marking a significant milestone after three years of dedicated research and development. Metarhizium rileyi is a highly specific fungus that kills fall armyworm. In 2018, scientists from…
Invasive species emerge as a driver of human displacement, new research shows
Human migration is driven by many factors, yet the role of invasive species in displacement remains understudied. A new paper published in Frontiers examines how biological invasions force people to abandon the land on which they live and explores the collective trauma that can follow.
Invasive plants in hedges in eastern Africa are threatening local ecosystems
Invasive plants commonly used as hedges in eastern Africa may be driving biological invasions, according to new research. Invasive species cost Africa’s agricultural sector an estimated USD $65.58 billion each year. They reduce land available for farming and grazing, threatening food security and livelihoods across the continent. Effective management is…
Evaluation of fungal pathogens for biological control of Navua sedge
CABI is evaluating two fungal pathogens as potential biological control agents for Navua sedge, an invasive weed that threatens agriculture and biodiversity in northern Queensland, Australia. The project investigates the biology and host specificity of these fungi to assess their safety and effectiveness for long-term weed management.
Harmonizing quarantine pest lists for a ASEAN Pest Database
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states face challenges in managing quarantine pest-related information due to fragmented data systems, inconsistent assessment methods, and limited coordination among National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs). These gaps hinder timely responses to emerging pest threats and complicate regional efforts in evidence-based pest management.…