Identifying the origin of yellow floating heart, Nymphoides peltata
Yellow floating heart, Nymphoides peltata, was introduced in North America in the late 19th century as an ornamental plant. Since its introduction, it has steadily spread and been repeatedly introduced across the United States and parts of Canada. Where introduced, yellow floating heart can outcompete native vegetation and phytoplankton, and…
CABI supports first release in Switzerland of natural enemy for the brown marmorated stink bug
CABI’s Dr Tim Haye has supported colleagues at Agroscope with the first release in Switzerland of the Samurai wasp which, if field trials prove successful, could prove to be a formidable foe against the devastating fruit and nut pest Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug. Dr Haye, who is…
Study calls for urgent plan to manage invasive weed which threatens livelihoods in Africa
CABI scientists have conducted research which is calling for an urgent integrated management strategy, including biological control, to fight the invasive weed Mimosa diplotricha which is threatening livelihoods in eastern and southern Africa. Dr Arne Witt, lead author of the study published in the journal Bothalia, said that over half…
Searching for a viable biological control of the Comstock mealybug, a pest threatening fruit crops in Switzerland
CABI scientists are on a new mission to find a biological ‘weapon’ in the fight against the Comstock mealybug (Pseudococcus comstocki) which is threatening to cause significant economic damage to Switzerland’s apricot, pear and apple crops. Dr Lukas Seehausen and Dr Tim Haye, who are both based at CABI’s centre…
Biological control against the invasive Comstock mealybug in the Swiss orchards
A new invasive pest of particular concern to Switzerland’s orchard industry is the Comstock mealybug, Pseudococcus comstocki. Originating from Asia, the Comstock mealybug was first detected in 2016 in fruit crops of the Swiss canton of Valais. Following its detection, the mealybug has caused significant local economic damage to apricot,…
Biological control could be the key to saving one of Britain’s rarest birds from extinction
CABI is sharing its expertise on biological pest control to try and help save one of Britain’s rarest birds from extinction on the UK Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha - the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world. Dr Norbert Maczey is leading a team of CABI scientists who…