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…
Annual meeting of Anhui-CABI Joint Lab in China highlights scientific progress in crop pest control
Scientific progress is being made in the fight against crop pests including Oriental migratory locusts, spotted-wing drosophila, Phthorimaea absoluta, pepper Phytophthora blight, and maize leaf spot disease.
Study examines potential for collective action to fight fall armyworm with biological controls in rural Zambia
A new study led CABI scientists has examined the potential for collective action to fight the fall armyworm (FAW) pest with biological controls in rural Zambia. Conducted in partnership with colleagues from the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) and Wageningen University and Research, the research found that some conditions are already in place. To achieve…
CABI’s expertise shared at XVI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds 2023
CABI’s expertise in the management of invasive species has been shared at the XVI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds (ISBCW) 2023 held for the first time in South America in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina.
Azolla weevil: 100 years of Azolla biocontrol in the UK
Azolla filiculoides is also known as floating water fern or fairy fern. It is a small, aquatic, free-floating fern native to the warm temperate, and tropical regions of the Americas. The species has been introduced around the globe: to Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Hawaii, North and sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. It was first suspected…
Could better awareness increase the uptake of weed biocontrol in Europe?
To increase the uptake of weed biocontrol in Europe, we need more awareness about its benefits and successes New research suggests that greater awareness about the benefits and successes of weed biocontrol is needed in Europe to increase its uptake. Scientists have discovered a knowledge gap between global regions, showing that EU professionals are less…
All is not quite what it seems in the fight against the noxious Parthenium weed
Scientists are busy investigating effective safer-to-use, and friendlier to the environment, biological control agents to fight one of the world’s most noxious invasive weeds – parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus).
Tree of heaven: can a mite reduce the spread of this highly invasive pest?
Tree of heaven is an invasive tree that damages infrastructure and hosts invasive species. Can a mite play a role in reducing its spread?
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…
Biological pest control helps tackle swarms of desert locusts in Africa
This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. Biopesticides have been leading the non-chemical pest control assault on swarms of locusts in Somalia, helping to control, without the use of harmful chemical pesticides, one of the most destructive agricultural pests in world: Schistocerca gregaria, commonly known as the desert locust.