icipe undertakes research and development of alternative eco-friendly IPM options for pre- and post-harvest pests, and for parasitic weeds (such as striga) that can be used in Africa to replace harmful persistent organic pollutants (POPs). All technology development involves farmer participation to ensure farmers’ needs are met. icipe works with National and International partners to promote the alternative technologies to farmers in African members states.

This study works on the hypothesis that as mosquitoes acquire viruses from hosts during blood feeding, gravid mosquitoes because of their previous blood meal encounters are most likely to become infected, and a trap targeted towards them may be particularly helpful in surveillance.

ILIPA is the newest addition to icipe’s portifolio on insects as feed, through a collaboration with Wageningen University. The initiative aims to exploit the commercial potential of insects, mainly the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, in production of affordable, high-quality protein for poultry, pig and fish industries. To create an effective agribusiness model, the project partners will conduct research that will ensure high nutrition and microbial safety of the insect-based protein products.