Meet Rhinocyllus conicus (the Nodding Thistle Receptacle Weevil). Native to Eurasia and North Africa, it was introduced to the United States in 1969 as a biocontrol for invasive thistle. However, it began attacking native thistles also. The larvae feed on the flower receptacle, reducing seed production.
¡Hola! 
Soy Natalia Martínez Reyes, biotecnóloga y doctoranda en microbiología aplicada. Me especializo en el estudio de hongos y bacterias con aplicaciones biotecnológicas. 
Investigación en micotoxinas Modificación genética en hongos filamentosos Bioensayos y biocontrol de fitopatógenos Ciencia, divulgación y publicaciones 
Amante de la montaña 
y la música 
. ¡Hablemos de ciencia y más!
Scientists are developing a "toxic male technique" to control disease-carrying insects and agricultural pests. Genetically engineered male insects would produce venomous semen, killing females after they mate. Bill Sullivan, Indiana University #malaria #biocontrol 
https://theconversation.com/making-sex-deadly-for-insects-could-control-pests-that-carry-disease-and-harm-crops-248723
#DNA barcodes and #citizen_science images map spread of #biocontrol agent for control of major #invasive #shrub
#Lantana #Barcode_of_Life_Data_System #Orphanostigma
https://phys.org/news/2025-02-dna-barcodes-citizen-science-images.html
Approve sustainable pesticides faster, says centre-right https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/approve-sustainable-pesticides-faster-says-centre-right/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=dlvr.it #agriculture #biocontrol #ENVIcommittee #Pesticides
I found *another* cinnabar moth caterpillar in Ōtautahi-Christchurch, NZ, this time feeding on European groundsel (*Senecio vulgaris*) at the front of a garden in Somerfield.
That's now the second time I've seen this ragwort biocontrol species in Christchurch city, after 20 years of looking at every Senecio I pass by (senecios are one of my things).
It's odd.
If you're local, I'd be interested if you find any.
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/258412827
#insects #entomology #biocontrol #nz
New on Entomology Today: To identify natural enemies of Ommatissus lybicus, a key pest of date palms also known as the Dubas bug, researchers collected nearly 7,000 arthropod specimens from date palm plantations in Oman and analyzed their gut contents for traces of the bug's DNA. They found at least 56 species that feed on the Dubas bug, a treasure trove of knowledge for future biological control efforts. #entomology #insects #biocontrol #IPM https://entomologytoday.org/2025/01/10/what-eats-dubas-bugs-molecular-gut-content-analysis-predators-date-palm-pest-biological-control/
Here's my surprise of the day (and the year so far).
Cinnabar moths were introduced into New Zealand to control ragwort.
I have never seen cinnabar moth larvae in Christchurch city before, and I have never seen them feeding on the native ragwort relative *Senecio quadridentatus* before.
And, yet, here they are in Christchurch city today doing exactly that.
If you see any, please let me know.
We've got a project on #iNaturalistNZ called "Biocontrol of Weeds in NZ", where keen iNat users not only upload photos of weed biocontrol agents but also tag them with what plants they're feeding on. It's a helpful way to keep track of what they're up to in wild NZ.
I've seen lots of larvae of thistle tortoise beetles this week. The species *Cassida rubiginosa* was introduced into NZ as a biocontrol agent in 2006 and is now knocking back thistle weeds in parts of NZ.
NZ has no native thistles so we could introduce a beetle that eats a lot of species. I saw them on Californian thistles, nodding thistles and Scotch thistles.
Their larvae carry all their shit in a "frass shield" to protect themselves.
Paper out in British Journal of Entomology and Natural History soon. Arnold, S.E.J., Fountain, M.T., Silva, C.X., & Wamonje, F. O. The introduced parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is widespread in fruit-growing regions of England. BJENH, 37. [14/14]
Ultimately, what does this mean for UK biocontrol? It may mean that we will see a smaller species richness of aphid parasitoids active on some farms, which may or may not affect our ability to control aphids. We'll have to see what happens. [12/]
Over the last 18 months or so, we have been exploring the relationship between landscape and insect-related ecosystem services on strawberry farms. Let me tell you about something we found... [1/]
Gyda Fenn-Moltu, Cleo Bertelsmeier and colleagues have published a paper in Ecological Applications on « Pathways for accidental biocontrol: the human-mediated dispersal of insect predators and parasitoids » learn more:
Rhinoncomimus latipes, a weevil introduced into the United States in 2004 to control mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliata), a Class B noxious weed. Larvae eat stems, adults eat leaves. The beetle's range is expanding ~4 km/yr. #weevil #insect #entomology #ipm #biocontrol #beetle #weed #invasive #coleoptera #macro #photography
EU seeks tweaks to pesticide rules to fast-track sustainable solutions https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/eu-seeks-tweaks-to-pesticide-rules-to-fast-track-sustainable-solutions/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #biocontrol #biologicalpesticides #biopesticides #Pesticides
New on Entomology Today: A pair of beetle species are key players in managing the hemlock woolly adelgid, but it can be difficult to detect where they are present and feeding on the invasive pest. A new study details a genetic test to detect and differentiate traces of the beetles' DNA in samples of soil, water, or plant matter from a target area. #entomology #insects #EnvironmentalDNA #biocontrol https://entomologytoday.org/2024/06/18/environmental-dna-biological-control-hemlock-woolly-adelgid-laricobius-beetles/
No recommendations exist for the #biocontrol of #aphids in winter high tunnel #crops like #spinach and #strawberry. Three commercially available #predators (insidious flower bug, two-spotted lady beetle and the common green lacewing) in combination with 3 #biorational products were tested against aphids like the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) - article in the journal Biocontrol by Samantha A. Willden and others - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105511
Off to #GordonConference on “Genetic #Biocontrol” focused on “Enhancing #PublicHealth, #FoodSecurity & #Biodiversity”
Such an important topic in this era of expanding ranges of disease vectors
Looking forward to learning loads and reconnecting with/meeting new people
Stop me for a chat if curious about @PLOSBiology #PLOS publishing, science (or anything else)
EU to tighten grip on emergency pesticide use with new guidance on derogations https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/eu-to-tighten-grip-on-emergency-pesticide-use-with-new-guidance-on-derogations/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #bannedpesticides #biocontrol #neonicotinoids #pesticideban
