International Pest Control – November/December 2017 – Vol 59, Nr.6
Cover Image Spodoptera frugiperda – Fall Armyworm, an invasive defoliating moth that has moved from the Americas to Africa with devastating consequences. To find out more visit https://www.cabi.org/projects/controlling-invasive-species/fall-armyworm/. Image source USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab, Beltsville, Maryland, USA.
Our strapline at International Pest Control magazine is ‘because pests recognise no national boundaries’ and never has a phrase been so relevant when considering invasive pests. An invasive species is an organism that is not native to a specific location and that has a tendency to spread to a degree to cause damage to the environment, human economy or human health. With the rise in travel and global trade, we are being faced with new pest situations all the time. We cannot cover them all, but we try to pick out some to highlight how these species can cause problems.
Often, we are ourselves guilty of causing pest problems. The early explorers were keen to bring new samples back to home and in hindsight they brought back problems. Rhododendron is a fine example. A true beauty and a beast in one, that requires huge cost to manage. So too is the situation with many species around the world. We pick our top ten. Invasive pests are also not new. To illustrate this, we consider the mosquito in Brazil. I offer no apologies using the UK as an example of how invasive pests get out of hand. The situation within the British Isles demonstrates how island ecosystems are vulnerable. We look at two examples, the Oak Processionary Moth in greater London and the progression of one of many forest pests, Chestnut Blight that is invading UK Sweet Chestnut woodlands, as it has done in the USA.
Autumn is not just a season of mists and mellow fruitfulness but an opportunity for the industry to gather at various venues around the globe. With diary clashes, it is not possible to attend them all, but we have done our best to bring you a flavour of some of the major events.
Parasitec has spread its influence from its traditional Paris home and is now a regular fixture in Istanbul. Considering a growing influence, the annual Amenity Forum conference is similarly growing in importance in this often-overlooked niche. Demonstrating that bigger is often best, two milestones were reached in the US and Europe with the long running PestWorld and relative newcomer ABIM with their greatest attendance numbers ever and, to accommodate a growth in popularity, PestTech UK has moved to a larger home this year. Not to be outdone, the Brighton BCPC Conference continues to be a key location to discuss and learn about the regulatory environment
Elsewhere we consider new technology and how a Smartphone App is helping disease diagnosis in remote locations and with the media full of news concerning the EU stalemate vote on the herbicide glyphosate, we provide a comment from both sides of the fence as well as considering how new technologies are being been developed to improve weed control with a spotlight on dicamba.
It’s a busy issue after a busy year. IPC magazine was first published in 1958 and has for many years brought you the latest news, views, opinion and technical reports. Next year we reach 60 years as a publication and we have many ideas to bring to you over the next 12 months. If you have a story to tell and wish to add to our articles for our 60th year, please do get in touch.
David Loughlin, Editor International Pest Control Magazine
Email David on editor@international-pest-control.com
Contents of International Pest Control November/December 2017
Vol 59, Number 6
International news in Brief…read more
Association news
- New career opportunity as the CEO of the BPCA.
- Pest Control Association of the Philippines joins FAOPMA.
- New EU report on sustainable Use of Pesticides.
- NPMA launch new membership programs at PestWorld 2017.
Special Feature – Invasive Pests
- From beautiful blossom to a weed gone wild – Terry Mabbett.
- An Invasive insect in Brazil in 1930 – Anopheles gambiae – Graham Matthews.
- A top ten of invasive pest species.
- Invasion milestone for Oak Processionary Moth – Terry Mabbett.
- Blight continues to invade UK sweet Chestnut woodland – Terry Mabbett.
Focus on Public Health
- Pest managers meet by the Bosphorus.
- New home for Pesttech at Ricoh Arena.
- Largest PestWorld in NPMA’s history in Baltimore.
Focus on Agriculture
- Tell me phone, what’s destroying my crops?
- BCPC Brighton Congress 2017 – Graham Matthews.
- Dicamba in the news for all the wrong reasons – Martin Redbond.
- ABIM 2017: The biggest gathering of biocontrol professionals – ever – David Loughlin.
- Still no agreement on new licence for glyphosate
Focus on Horticulture & Amenity
- Amenity Forum: Making a difference for everyone.
International Pest Control calendar of events
Published in International Pest Control – November/December 2017 issue.
Category: Issue Editorial & Contents
