Can beneficial insects control parthenium weed in Pakistan to safeguard crops?
Can biological control of parthenium in Pakistan safeguard crops? Last month, leaders worldwide focused on climate change at COP27. One critical subject has been the impact of global warming on food production. Rising temperatures have had terrible effects on crops. This is because they can help spread invasive alien species (IAS), including weeds, which can…
First parthenium biocontrol agent approved for release in Pakistan
The stem boring weevil Listronotus steosipennis has been approved for release as a biocontrol agent for the management of Parthenium hysterophorus in Pakistan. Parthenium has spread throughout much of the country causing problems in both rural and urban areas. It is hoped this weevil will prove a sustainable and effective management option for this invasive…
CABI to take part in Feed the Future’s webinar on Biocontrol of Parthenium
CABI scientist Dr Kazam Ali is to share his expertise on a panel of researchers who are taking part in a Biocontrol of Parthenium webinar hosted by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Integrated Pest Management. Other members of the panel for the webinar, which will take place on Tuesday, March 30, from 7am…
CABI trains provincial agriculture departments on biocontrol agents of fall armyworm and parthenium in Pakistan
Under its Action on Invasives (AoI) programme CABI in Pakistan organized two training sessions for rearing biocontrol agents to manage fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) in December, 2020.
Is parthenium’s stem boring weevil safe for release in Pakistan? An update on host range testing
Native to tropical America, Parthenium hysterophorus, commonly known as parthenium, has invaded and become a major weed in over 50 countries. Parthenium has covered thousands of hectares of productive and range land in Pakistan. It is an annual herb which effects agriculture, damages biodiversity, affects human and animal health and adversely impacts economic development.
Colony of weevils safely in CABI Pakistan quarantine
A colony of 200 Listronotus (Listronotus setosipennis) have been safely transported from South Africa to Pakistan. The stem mining weevil is a biological control agent against parthenium. CABI’s Dr Philip Weyl, with the help of Dr Lorraine Strathie (ARC-PPRI) successfully imported the weevils into the new quarantine facility at CABI’s Central and Western Asia (CWA)…