Following a week of fieldwork with FABI researchers in Sappi pine plantations in Mpumalanga, FABI welcomed Dr Marta Kovač and Dr Milan Pernek from the Croatian Forest Research Institute from 10-11 August. Their research expertise spans forest pathology and entomology, bark beetle–fungus interactions, forest pest population dynamics and biological control.

Drs Kovač and Pernek presented an overview of their research programme, providing FABIans with insight into forest health challenges in Croatia and the research being undertaken to address them. Particular attention was given to pine-infesting bark beetles and their fungal associates, as well as comparisons between these organisms in their native and introduced ranges. This was followed by a lively round-table discussion with FABI researchers and postgraduate students.

The visit forms part of an ongoing collaboration between FABI and Drs Kovač and Pernek, funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. The project seeks to compare the Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with pine bark beetles in Croatia and South Africa and to determine which fungal associates may have accompanied beetles introduced into the Southern Hemisphere. The collaboration also support joint research, postgraduate student projects and future exchange visits between South Africa and Croatia.