Classical biological control of Japanese beetle
The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is a pest that feeds on hundreds of fruit tree species, causing considerable damage. In the USA, costs to control the pest exceed $450 million per year. Global regions that climatically support the invasion of the Japanese beetle include central Europe where it is considered…
Three ways to fight invasive Prosopis juliflora tree in Eastern Africa all proved very effective, new study shows
A team of scientists led by CABI have conducted a new study which shows that three ways to fight the invasive Prosopis juliflora tree in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania all proved very effective in almost all cases. The three-year research, published in the journal CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, revealed that…
Village-based biological control of fall armyworm in Zambia
The damage caused by fall armyworm leads to significant yield losses for Zambian smallholder farmers during every crop cycle. While chemical pesticides are used against fall armyworm, these can cause overarching negative effects. This project aims to increase food security and safety for smallholder farmers in Zambia, by providing nature-based…
Initiative launched to help reduce risk of pesticides to farmers, consumers and the environment in Nakuru County, Kenya
CABI, CBCC (Centre For Behaviour Change and Communication) and the Department of Agriculture, Nakuru County, Kenya have launched a new initiative called “Ukulima True” to help reduce the risks to farmers, consumers and the environment from chemical pesticides. The initiative – which is the first step in the implementation of…
Invasive non-native species cost UK economy an estimated £4bn a year, new CABI-led study reveals
CABI scientists have carried out a study which reveals invasive non-native species (INNS) – such as the aquatic water weeds floating pennywort and Japanese knotweed as well as signal crayfish – cost the UK economy an estimated £4bn a year. However, when species only covered by the GB Non-native Species…
CABI to investigate using parasitic fly as a classical biological control agent against Japanese beetle
It may look pretty but the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is one pesky pest – which feeds on the foliage and fruits of hundreds of fruit tree species – that in the USA alone costs a staggering $450 million a year to control. But CABI scientists from its centre in…