{"id":117355,"date":"2019-07-23T13:23:36","date_gmt":"2019-07-23T12:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cabi.org\/?page_id=117355"},"modified":"2020-07-22T20:36:09","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T19:36:09","slug":"biological-control-of-invasive-insects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.cabi.org\/what-we-do\/cabi-centres\/biological-control-of-invasive-insects\/","title":{"rendered":"Biological control of invasive insects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Biological control of invasive insects<\/h1>\n

<\/p>\n\t\tYou are here:\nHome<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n\t

When insect species establish outside of their natural distribution range they are called non-native or exotic.<\/p>\n

These non-native insects often remain undetected until populations are well established and become invasive, threatening native species, ecosystems, habitats, human health and many sectors of the economy such as agriculture, forestry and tourism.<\/p>\n

One reason why these non-native insects can become invasive is the lack of natural enemies that limit their population growth and spread in the invaded area.\u00a0Classical biological control, or biocontrol<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0is the use of living organisms such as insects, mites or fungal pathogens to control pest populations. It levels the playing-field by reintroducing some of the specialist natural enemies that help control the invasive species in its native range. The aim is not to eradicate the invasive insect, but to bring its density below an appropriate ecological or economic threshold.<\/p>\n

Biocontrol is an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and sustainable way of managing invasive species and has been used effectively for more than 100 years.<\/p>\n\t

What we offer<\/h2>\n

CABI has over 60 years\u2019 experience of working on the biological control of invasive insects.<\/p>\n

Our team of highly experienced staff works with customers to develop scientifically sound biological control solutions based on thorough research. We advance the science of biological arthropod biological control by carrying out in-depth studies, often in collaboration with universities or other research organisations.<\/p>\n

For example, the identification of new biological control agents involves a range of activities including surveys of natural enemies in the pest\u2019s native range, host range studies, and climate simulation models.<\/p>\n

Any organism intended for the control of a non-native invasive insect then undergoes an extensive series of tests to determine its environmental safety before considering its release.<\/p>\n

In addition, we are investigating the adaptation of native natural enemies of exotic pests in the invaded range and their potential for augmentative biological control (periodical releases of mass reared natural enemies into short-term crops). We are also actively involved in the development of new guidelines on the regulation of biological control.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tThe team and key contact\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

The team working at CABI in Switzerland is led by Dr Tim Haye and includes research scientists and temporary research assistants, including students from Canadian universities.<\/p>\n

A number of international MSc and PhD students are co-supervised by CABI staff and conduct part of their research at CABI\u2019s Swiss centre. This is an important component of CABI\u2019s work and adds both a breadth and depth to the quality of our scientific research.<\/p>\n

We also work closely with the CABI-MoA Joint Laboratory in China, tackling insect pests of Asian origin.<\/p>\n\t\n

\n \n <\/figure>\n\tCABI In Switzerland<\/a>\n\t

Tim Haye<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t

Head Arthropod Biological Control<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t

T: +41 (0)32 4214883 E: t.haye@cabi.org<\/a><\/p>\n\t

Project highlights<\/h2>\n

We are currently investigating potential biocontrol agents for seven invasive insects in Canada and Europe. Project highlights include:<\/p>\n