CABI shares expertise at COP15 summit seen as the “last chance” to reverse destruction of natural world
CABI has shared its expertise in the sustainable management of invasive non-native plants as part of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) which was seen as the “last chance” to reverse the destruction of the natural world. Nearly 200 countries came together during the high-level talks in Montreal, Canada, with the…
Establishing a digital plant health service in Malawi
Pests and diseases contribute to 40% of food loss leading to food insecurity. Synthetic pesticides are the predominant control method but these are associated with negative environmental and health concerns. The extensive use of chemicals has sparked a renewed interest in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – an effective combination of…
Greater awareness needed to increase uptake of invasive plant biocontrol in Europe, scientists say
A team of international scientists have conducted research which reveals that European Union professionals know less about the biological control of invasive plants than their counterparts in other parts of the world. To date, there have been over 500 biological control agents released against at least 220 invasive alien plant…
Weevil may save Great Britain up to £16.8m a year in management of invasive aquatic fern
A new CABI-led study suggests that a tiny weevil (Stenopelmus rufinasus) has huge benefits in saving Great Britain up to £16.8m in annual management costs of the invasive aquatic fern Azolla filiculoides. The research, published in the CABI Agriculture and Bioscience journal, estimates that without any biocontrol the expected yearly…
CABI-led study provides comprehensive review of devastating fall armyworm pest
A CABI-led study involving 57 scientists from 46 different institutions has provided a comprehensive review of the devastating fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) including details on its invasiveness, biology, ecology and management. The research, published in the journal Entomologia Generalis, highlights how fall armyworm (FAW) is serious pest of several crops…
Biological control of Old Man’s Beard
Clematis vitalba is a fast-growing vine that produces vast quantities of seeds and grows intensely as thickets over trees, shrubs and other vegetation. Due to its rapid growth rate and ability to form large clumps, the plant can quickly outcompete native biodiversity and is dangerous to forests which is why…