A new project has been launched to promote the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices for the sustainable control of the leafminer Tuta absoluta and the spotted wing fly Drosophila suzukii, invasive pests of tomato and fruit crops respectively.
Called Ameliorating the Sustainable Control of Invasive Insects (ASCII) ENDURE initiated and supported the project through its mobility programme and cooperation with partners outside Europe initiatives. Funded under the European Commission’s FP7 International Research Staff Exchange programme (Marie Curie-IRSES), ASCII is designed to counteract the recent and sudden spread of Tuta absoluta from Spain and of Drosophila suzukii from Southeast Asia. With this in mind, it has brought together 12 specialised in insect pest management from Europe, USA, Argentina, Brazil and China.
ASCII was launched in February and will deliver innovative IPM approaches for both pests, blending new practices derived from basic research in biology, genetics and biological control with short visits, workshops, conferences, joint publications and training activities. It will run for four years and envisages about 60 short exchanges of researchers, for a total of about 120 person-months.
During its first year, ASCII will focus on the monitoring, detection and characterisation of pests and natural enemy populations. In subsequent years it will complement these activities with work on the semiochemicals involved in tritrophic interactions, the assessment of target and non-target effects of pesticides, and training of researchers, advisers and growers in both invaded and to-be-invaded countries.
ASCII is expected to create a stable and durable network of single researchers and research teams, adding value to the experimental development of crop protection techniques, communication and exchange of expertise, methods and ideas. The strong link between each partner and local farmers and stakeholders will drive the translation of the developed practices across Europe, South and North America, and China.
Under the coordination of Dr. Emilio Guerrieri of CNR-IPP (National Research Council, Italy - Institute for Plant Protection) Unit in Portici, ASCII partnership is composed of 12 universities and national agencies. They are listed below, along with the ASCll scientific coordinator for each institute. Click on the links underlined for more information on the individuals or institutes:
For further information, please contact ASCII coordinator Emilio Guerrieri.
Last update: 24/05/2023 - ENDURE © 2009 - Contact ENDURE - Disclaimer