What makes invasive apple snail the worst invasive invertebrate of waterways?
This article was originally published on CABI Digital Library Overview: What is the invasive apple snail? The invasive apple snail is a large freshwater snail with a large variation in shell colour. This species is in the ‘top 100 worst invasive species’, and is possibly the most damaging aquatic snail, spreading via canals, rivers and…
Drones, insects and local community to tackle Kenya’s thorny problem
In Laikipia, 253 kilometres north of Nairobi, Kenya, an unlikely trio of drones, the local community, and a tiny sap-sucking insect, have joined forces to take on a thorny problem – the spread of invasive prickly pear cactus Opuntia engelmannii.
5 invasive species to look out for in the US
The presence of invasive species poses a significant hazard to many native environments and species found in the United States (US). They lead to significant expenses in agriculture, forestry, and recreation. Once out of control, they can destroy entire ecosystems, causing environmental, social, and financial problems. In fact, their presence is costing the US up…
Training on mass production of entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control of invasive insect pests
A team of global experts in the production of biocontrol agent provided a practical training on the mass culture of entomopathogenic nematodes at the Biocontrol Agent Facility of Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Board (RAB), writes Dr Stefan Toepfer and Wayne Coles.
CABI empowers farmers in Kenya on a cost-efficient, sustainable, and promising alternative for fall armyworm management
Researchers from CABI’s regional centre for Africa organised a farmer’s field event in Machakos County, Kenya, providing comprehensive training to 582 farmers regarding the production of baculorvirus-based insecticides for managing the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).
Invasives most read blogs 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, we have crunched the numbers and pulled together the most read blogs on the Invasives Blog this year. Plus some firm favourites. Invasive species like spotted lanternflies and Azolla proved to be popular topics for our readers this year. CABI’s approaches in fighting invasive species, through biological control, also grabbed readers’…
CABI contributes to study which reveals yellow-spined bamboo locust prefers wheat and rice to maize
CABI has contributed to new research published in the journal Biology which reveals that the yellow-spined bamboo locust (YSBL) prefers wheat and rice to maize under laboratory conditions.
Dr Dick Shaw discusses the power of biocontrol
CABI has worked on invasive species for over 100 years, developing practical ways of tackling the biggest threats. Our scientists are world leaders in biocontrol research – an approach that uses invasive species’ natural enemies, like insects and fungi, to control their spread. In this blog, Dr Dick Shaw, CABI’s Senior Regional Director for Europe…
Can scientific data on invasive species protect endangered species from extinction?
Invasive species are a major concern to ecosystems today. They are a key driver of biodiversity loss and species extinctions, competing against and predating on native organisms. However, scientific data on invasive species can play a huge role in helping to protect threatened biodiversity and species.
Scaling up the fight against papaya mealybug pest in South Sudan
The papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) is a significant pest of papaya which has been wreaking havoc amongst smallholder farmers since it first invaded East Africa between 2015 to 2020.