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, pear and apple production, especially during 2018 and 2019. Chemical control is one way of helping to fight the pest but it has produced mixed, and often, insufficient results. Biological control is another method and this project, therefore, aims to develop a sustainable and environmentally friendly, biological control method for the Comstock mealybug.
New MoU brings trade boost to Pakistans fruit farmers
CABI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) to help Pakistan trade citrus and mango fruit with global regions like the European Union. The MoU was signed on 10 May 2016.