Mass rearing tiny wasps to control the brown marmorated stink bug pest
The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a real agricultural pest. It’s native to East Asia and has invaded the United States, Canada, Europe, and Chile. When it comes to agriculture, it causes significant damage to many economically important crops. This damage happens in both its native and invaded ranges. One…
5 invasive birds you may have spotted
Invasive birds pose a threat to native bird species, outcompeting them for resources like food and nesting sites. They can also be vectors of avian diseases and be serious crop pests. Here are five you may have seen for yourself.
Ruffling parrot’s feathers: the biological control of Myriophyllum aquaticum
Myriophyllum aquaticum, commonly known as parrot’s feather, is an invasive aquatic weed. It can have roots underwater in depths of up to 1.5 metres with shoots that appear 20-50cm above the water surface. This makes it both a submerged and emergent plant. It is native to South America but is a popular garden and aquarium…
5 UK invasive species and their impact on native wildlife
Invasive species are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss globally. They significantly alter ecosystems and even drive native plants and animals to extinction. Over 2,000 non-native plants and animals have been introduced to the UK, and around 10-15% have become invasive. They cost the economy over £1.7 billion every year.
Devilweed: the ‘green invasion’ that’s destroying biodiversity and livelihoods
In a new video from BBC Earth, CABI’s Dr Arne Witt tells us about the devastating impact of Chromolaena odorata, commonly known as ‘Devilweed’. As part of the BBC’s Our Green Planet initiative, the video raises awareness about the impact of invasive species on biodiversity and livelihoods.
Potential of parasitoid to control invasive fruit fly highlighted in study
Drosophila suzukii, commonly known as Spotted Wing Drosophila, is an invasive fruit fly native to Eastern Asia that was accidentally introduced to the Americas and Europe in the late 2000s. It has since spread rapidly causing damage to over 150 wild and cultivated fruits like cherries, blueberries, strawberries, and even the fruits of ornamental plants.
Could Telenomus remus go global?
The parasitoid wasp Telenomus remus has been mass released as a biological control agent against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in the Americas (where the pest is native) for a number of years. However, fall armyworm is now highly invasive, found across Africa, Asia, and Australia. Can the lessons learnt from its wide use in the…
Research on biological control of fall armyworm
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…
Invasives Blog Most Read 2020
As 2020 draws to a close, we have crunched the numbers and pulled together the most read articles on the Invasives Blog this year. Plus some firm favourites. Invasive species like Himalayan balsam, fall armyworm, and Tuta absoluta proved to be popular topics for our readers this year. CABI’s work in biological control around the…
Pilot project using drones to control desert locust launches in Kenya
A partnership between CABI and Astral-Aerial is piloting the use of drones for the control of desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria). Funded by UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Frontier Technologies Hub, the approach targets roosting populations of small swarms that are not feasible to spray by other means such as aircraft, or…