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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Read more about the article Big trouble for little (crucian) carp
Dr Josie Pegg (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity) with a South African common carp, Cyprinus carpio. (Photo credit: Josephine Pegg)

Big trouble for little (crucian) carp

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are highly successful invasive fish and are responsible for the decline of numerous native species. Reasons for their success has been poorly understood until now.

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Read more about the article Retooling invasion science to deal with rapid global change
Figure 2. The “bridgehead effect” of the global spread of the harlequin ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis, based on genetic analyses by Lombaert and colleagues (2010; PLoS ONE 5: e9743). The beetle was introduced intentionally as an insect biocontrol agent in some regions (shown in green). From these bridgehead regions, the beetle was transported inadvertently to other continents. Most of the global spread of this species has originated from non-native populations in Eastern North America.

Retooling invasion science to deal with rapid global change

Invasion science must adapt to meet growing societal demands and biosecurity challenges in the face of rapid global environmental change. This task was addressed at a workshop during the NEOBIOTA conference in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, in September 2018 that was attended by several researchers affiliated with the Centre for Invasion Biology (C∙I∙B).

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The Table Mountain fire: what we can learn from the main drivers of wildfires

The fires that started on 18 April 2021 on the slopes of Table Mountain in South Africa destroyed several buildings on the campus of the University of Cape Town. These included the Jagger Library, as well as the restaurant at Rhodes Memorial, the historic Mostert’s Mill, and several residential houses. This was a tragic event that will affect many people for a long time.

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