EU-China joint action to increase the development and adoption of IPM tools
The persistent threat of invasive agricultural pests and their chronic re-emergence underlines the importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tools and their implementation. Pest management typically relies largely on chemical pesticides, increasing the risks to humans and wildlife. Despite European Union and Chinese policies promoting the use of IPM, widespread…
Silver fly could reduce pest threat to Europe’s €1.5bn Christmas tree industry
CABI scientists have contributed to research which reveals that the silver fly (Leucopis hennigrata) is a promising candidate to help protect Europe’s €1.5bn Christmas tree industry from a major pest threat. Nearly 80 million natural Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe with Germany accounting for 25% of production…
Collating and publishing datasheets on impactful invasive species
Invasive species are of significant concern to ecosystems. They are a key driver of global biodiversity loss and species extinctions. Together with climate change, invasive species are causing irreversible damage. Without any mitigation, the spread of invasives will continue and the persistent damaging effects will increase and remain. Having current…
Study shows “strong evidence of exceptional efficiency” of biological control agent against papaya mealybug pest
A CABI-led study has revealed “strong evidence of exceptional efficiency” of a biological control agent in the fight against the papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) which threatens papaya crops in Kenya and other parts of Africa. The researchers, who outlined their findings in the journal Crop Protection, found that female parasitoids…
CABI scientists test model to predict performance of biological control agent against Oriental migratory locust
CABI scientists have led new research which has tested an updated and validated model to predict the performance of a biological control agent to tackle the Oriental migratory locust (Locusta migratoria manilensis) in China. The scientists found that the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae tended to work better on insects with lower…
CABI’s work on the biological control of invasive weeds making great progress
CABI’s work investigating how classical biological control methods can help in the fight against invasive weeds around the world is making excellent progress, according to a new report just published. Scientists from CABI’s centre in Switzerland this year started two new projects – the biological control of black locust (Robinia…