Invasives Blog

The IOBC-Global International Working Group of Ostrinia and other maize pests (IWGO) fall armyworm sub-group is organising a virtual meeting on 16-17 March 2021.

The rapid spread of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in Africa and Asia requires the development of new, sustainable, control methods, in particularly biological control. While many organisations worldwide are working on various biological control approaches, there is need for strong scientific coordination and collaboration on this topic. The COVID-19 crisis has limited travels and physical meetings and, so far, virtual meetings and workshops have focused on implementation and training rather than on scientific exchanges. Thus, in this IOBC working group, we intend to foster scientific collaboration among researchers working on biological control of FAW and other IPM components. Considering the limitations of virtual meetings in terms of size, length and time zones, this first workshop will focus exclusively on biological control with parasitoids and predators in or for Africa. Other workshops on other control methods (e.g. biopesticides) or regions (e.g. Asia) should follow.

We welcome presentations on the three biological control strategies using parasitoids and predators, i.e. classical, augmentative and conservation biocontrol. However, considering the limited number of slots available (maximum 16-18), we may have to make a selection, in which case new, unpublished results will be preferred. In particular, surveys for parasitoids may be accepted only if they provide new information, such as factors affecting parasitism or alternate hosts.

We look forward to a stimulating workshop and hope that you will manage to participate. The workshop will also offer a unique platform for developing multilateral collaboration activities and concerted research strategies.

Registration is free and open to everyone, but mandatory for attendance. Please register on this website by 14 March 2021.

If you are interested to present your research on biological control of FAW in Africa, please submit your paper on-line (a title and a short abstract, max 100 words) by 22 February 2021. You will have to register first in order to submit a paper.

Further information on the workshop will follow in the coming weeks on the IOBC IWGO sub-group website and the CABI Fall armyworm Research Collaboration Portal. Questions on the organisation may be sent to info@faw.iwgo.org