Invasive Species Management: My intern experience

Himalayan balsam
Tasmin Alexander joined CABI as an Invasive Species Management intern in January 2021. Here Tasmin talks about her time working with CABI and the different invasive species projects she has been involved with.
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How does the Invasive Species Compendium help to manage the threat of invasive species?

FAW-larvae
Invasive species pose a massive economic challenge in many countries around the world.  Invasive weeds, insects and other animal pests, and plant and animal diseases have been introduced to regions outside their native distribution and, in the absence of sufficient natural control, are negatively impacting agriculture, forestry, livestock, aquaculture or delicate natural habitats.
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Stepping up the fight against Tuta Absoluta in Kenya with safer and sustainable biocontrol products

Tuta absoluta
Tomato is one of the most important vegetables grown by farmers in Kenya and plays an important role in generating employment and income. However, tomato production is limited by many factors, the most important of which are insect pests. Tomato farmers tend to control tomato pests with pesticide sprays, but these pose risks to the…
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Digital extension campaign boosts farmers’ knowledge and capacity to manage fall armyworm in Zambia

SMS
An SMS campaign to promote awareness of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and mitigation measures, which was carried out in four Zambian provinces, has resulted in the enhancement of farmers’ knowledge and boosted their capacity to effectively manage the pest. The campaign was implemented by CABI’s Pest Risk Information SErvice (PRISE) project in partnership with Precision…
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Insect heroes fighting invasive species

pennywort weevil
Today marks the beginning of Insect Week (21-27 June) – a week to learn more about the science and natural history of insects. We are highlighting some of the insect heroes, and villains, CABI scientists work with on a regular basis. Scientists at CABI’s Egham laboratory work with a range of insect species, from plant-parasitic…
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CABI scientists share knowledge on fall armyworm diagnostics, ecology and its management in Philippines

FAW-larvae
CABI South East Asia (CABI-SEA) has hosted online training on the devastating fall armyworm (FAW) – looking at the diagnostics, ecology, surveillance and management of the pest in the Philippines, writes Dr Sathis Sri Thanarajoo and Mr Muhammad Faheem.
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UK Invasive Species Week floating pennywort campaign picture special

Floating pennywort launch
As part of UK Invasive Species Week 2021, we bring you – thanks to our friends at the Angling Trust – this collection of photos taken at the launch of a national campaign to tackle the highly invasive floating pennywort from blighting Britain’s rivers and lakes.
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CABI joins forces with FAO to tackle desert locust and fall armyworm pests in Asia Pacific region

desert locust podcast
CABI experts on invasive crop pests, based at the regional centre in India, have joined forces with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to help farmers in the Asia Pacific region stave off the scourge of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).
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Weeding Invasive Alien Species – Africa’s Economic Burden

Man weeding a field
Weeds wreak havoc, day after day, year after year. They degrade agricultural land, deplete water resources and destroy crops, as well as being alternative hosts for crop pests. Yet, while weeds do cause damage to crop yields, a newly published study reveals that the vast majority of the costs are due to weeding.
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UK Invasive Species Week – how can we tackle some of the worst weeds in the UK?

Close up of Himalayan Balsam flower with a bee on it.
Today marks the beginning of UK Invasive Species Week (24-30 May) – a week to raise awareness about the threat of invasive species in the UK and the significant negative impacts they cause to our environment, our economy and our daily lives.
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