The IPM research programme deals with a wide variety of crop protection research questions. The basic research aim is to ensure the sustainable control of pests and diseases. Invasive insects and phytosanitary concerns have influenced the research programme significantly during the year. Invasive polyphagous shot hole borer and spotted wing drosophila research are seen as a priority. Various research projects are nearing completion including two applied research projects on polyphagous shot-hole borer. Current research includes work on sucking insects, biological control of mealybugs, pollination efficiency and the integration of spatial data in pest management.
Expertise: Integrated Pest Management Group
Research team
- Dr Minette Karsten
- Prof Pia Addison
- Prof Robbie Pott
- Prof John Terblanche
- Prof Francois Roets
- Dr Casper Crous
- Dr Karel Kruger
- Prof Adriaan van Niekerk
- Dr Shelley Johnson
- Ms Gaylen Carelse
- Ms Jonike Kemp
- Mr Matthew Addison
- Mr Terence Asia
- Dr Nanike Esterhuizen
- Ms Liana de Araujo – PhD student
- Mr AC Kleynhans – MSc student
- Ms Karyn Engelbrecht – MSc student
- Ms Emma Neethling – MSc student
- Ms Mia Vermaak – PhD student
- Mr Stefan Hansen – Postdoctoral fellow
- Ms Melissa Powell – MSc student
- Mr Leander Engelbrecht – PhD student
Projects list
- Investigation into the biological control of polyphagous shot-hole borer using phoretic mites and entomopathogenic fungi (F Roets and S Hansen)
- Oxycarenus species affecting stone fruit : evaluation of the problem and assessment of mitigation (S Johnson and M Powell)
- Biological control options against the grain chinch bug Macchiademus diplopterus (P Addison and L Engelbrecht)
- Testing various insect trapping methods to improve trapping efficiency when collecting/monitoring Euwallacea fornicatus (G Carelse)
- Optimising and applying a molecular identification tool to screen for polyphagous shot-hole borer (J Kemp)
- Exploring Wolbachia function in FCM (J Terblanche)
- Towards the monitoring and management of polyphagous shot-hole borer, Euwallacea fornicatus, in deciduous fruit orchards (M Addison)
- Trophic ecology of predaceous mites in apple and pear orchards (J Terblanche and M Vermaak)
- Phlyctinus callosus species complex and post-harvest control (S Johnson)
- Bio-fermentation of an insect chemical-attractant (R Pott)
- Establishing a barcoding database of local pests of deciduous fruit (P Addison)
- Developing a centralised industry-driven industry/area-wide geographic database supporting the information needs of the pome & stone fruit industries (M Addison) - see Farming Technology
- Phylogeny and biological control of weevils (Curculionidae) in the Western Cape Province (P Addison and S Hansen)
- Evaluation of managed bees and pollination efficiency in the pome and stone fruit industry in the Southwestern Cape, South Africa (M Addison) - see Reproductive Biology
- Taxonomic and molecular revision of parasitoid wasps attacking false codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick), with emphasis on Trichogrammatoidea (P Addison)
- Towards the development of an integrated pest management system for sucking insects in deciduous fruit orchards (M Karsten and AC Kleynhans)
- Assessing the threat of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle (PSHB, Euwallacea fornicatus) and its symbiotic fungus (Fusarium euwallaceae) to deciduous fruit trees in the Western Cape Province of South Africain South Africa (F Roets and K Engelbrecht)
- Sources and impact of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle (PSHB, Euwallacea fornicatus) and its symbiotic fungus (Fusarium euwallaceae) on deciduous fruit trees in the Western Cape Province of South Africa (C Crous and E Neethling)
- Towards the monitoring and management of polyphagous shot hole borer, Euwallacea fornicatus, in deciduous fruit orchards (M Addison)
- Testing various insect trapping methods to improve trapping efficiency when collecting/monitoring Euwallacea fornicatus (G Carelse)
- Phylogeny and biological control of weevils (Curculionidae) in the Western Cape Province (P Addison and S Hansen)
- Fresh Quarterly Dec 2023: Karsten, M. Insect pests in a warming world
- Fresh Quarterly Sep 2024: Mouton, A. A rational approach to biocontrol
- Fresh Quarterly Sep 2024: Mouton, A. Charting a new course
- Fresh Quarterly Sep 2024: Mouton, A. There is life after chlorpyrifos
- Fresh Quarterly Sep 2024: Mouton, A. Spotted wing drosophila
- SAFJ Oct/Nov 2023: Mouton, A. Geïntegreerde plaagbestuur: p. 60
- SAFJ Oct/Nov 2023: Mouton, A. Toekomsbestande plaagbestuur: p. 63
- Fresh Notes 214 – 30 May 2024: Notification of the presence of spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) in South Africa
- Hortgro Technical Symposium - 3 June 2024