Read more about the article Is it possible to predict pest interceptions?
Examples of arthropods detected on imported kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) in South Africa. Anti-clockwise from top: Frankliniella intonsa (Thripidae), Tuckerella japonica (Tuckerellidae), Brevipalpus sp. (Tenuipalpidae) and Oribatida (two species). Figure reproduced from Faulkner et al. 2020, supplied by D. Saccaggi.

Is it possible to predict pest interceptions?

Is there a way to predict which imported agricultural products are most likely to carry a pest? This question was tackled by former C∙I∙B student, Davina Saccaggi, in a recent paper in Ecological Applications.

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Protect the bugs, protect the planet: Invertebrate conservation is key in safeguarding global biodiversity and ecosystem function

Much of the world’s ecosystems require diverse and abundant insect communities to function, yet conservation efforts, typically, overlook this widespread taxonomic group. For this reason, there is a clear need to identify threats and swiftly develop strategies to protect invertebrates.

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Read more about the article Natural vegetation increases macadamia pest control by bats
Sina Weier looking at a small Vespertilionidae, also commonly known as “evening bats” or “vesper bats”, on an Angola expedition. (Photo credit: Kostadin Luchansky)

Natural vegetation increases macadamia pest control by bats

As recently published in the journal Biological Conservation, natural vegetation is the most important factor increasing the activity of insect-eating bat species on macadamia orchards.

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