News and Events
Insect of the Month (September): Cotesia icipe
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, invaded Africa from tropical and subtropical America only as recent as 2016, yet is now present in all countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where it incurs infestation levels of up to 100%, often resulting in total yield loss and devastating the livelihoods of many farmers.
New arsenals for fall armyworm control
icipe-led initiative develops new biopesticides, and strengthens regional collaboration for harmonisation and commercialisation of agricultural products and technologies
Insect of the Month (August): Yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is one of the deadliest mosquitoes known to mankind. It transmits the pathogen that causes yellow fever, but it is also the vector of several other viruses, including the pathogen that causes dengue fever, a disease of epidemic proportions on many continents.
“Smart maize” summons bodyguards against stemborers
Scientists have discovered that certain “smart” maize varieties have the ability to defend themselves against stemborers by summoning natural enemies of the pest.
