Restoration of degraded grassland can benefit climate change mitigation and key ecosystem services
New research has demonstrated how, in contrast to encroachment by the invasive alien tree species Prosopis julifora (known as `Mathenge` in Kenya or `Promi` in Baringo), the restoration of grasslands in tropical semi-arid regions can both mitigate the impacts of climate change and restore key benefits usually provided by healthy…
New research maps potential global spread of devastating papaya mealybug pest
CABI scientists have mapped the potential global spread of the devastating papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), highlighting new areas in Africa, Asia and the Americas into which this pest could potentially invade. The papaya mealybug, which is native to Mexico and Central America, can have severe impacts upon livelihoods and food…
CABI scientists reveal evidence that a natural enemy of Asian fruit fly is two species with only one suitable as a biocontrol agent
CABI scientists have led new research which reveals strong evidence that a natural enemy of the prolific Asian fruit fly Drosphila suzukii – previously believed to be one species – is in fact two with only one of the parasitoid proving suitable as a biological control agent against the pest.…
CABI works in partnership to find effective biopesticide to fight devastating Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle
CABI has teamed up with CHAP (Crop Health and Protection) as well as Russell Bio Solutions Ltd and H&T Bioseed to try and find a more environmentally sustainable alternative to the now banned neonic insecticides to fight the devastating Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephalus (CSFB). Funded by a grant…
More than 5 million farmers helped in bid to battle scourge of locust swarms in Kenya and Ethiopia
CABI development communications experts have joined forces with the Mercy Corps AgriFin programme to reach over 5 million farmers in Kenya and Ethiopia with advice on how to identify and tackle locust swarms which threatened to destroy their crops. Staff working from CABI’s Africa Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, teamed up…
CABI tracks down and destroys Asian hornet nest in Switzerland using radio telemetry technique
CABI scientist Dr Lukas Seehausen has successfully tracked down and killed the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) and destroyed its nest in Le Noirmont, Switzerland, after closing the net on the predator using state-of-the-art radio telemetry technology. Dr Seehausen, who is based at CABI’s Swiss Centre in Delémont, Saidou Nacambo and…