The FABI Biocontrol Centre based at the UP Experimental Farm is a modern research facility that focuses on the experimentation and rearing of biological control agents to control forestry pests.
Another insect feeding on Eucalyptus species was recently detected by Prof. Stefan Neser in Pretoria. The identity of this insect must still be confirmed, but it is expected to be in the genus Spondyliaspis (shell lerp psyllids). As with the red gum lerp pysllid (Glycaspis brimblecombeii), detected in South Africa in 2012, this pysllid is a sap-sucking insect where the nymphs are covered by a protective casing called a lerp. In the case of Spondyliaspis the lerp has the appearance of a shell, he
Prof Jolanda Roux (FABI and Dept of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, UP) has recently heard that she will receive the IUFRO SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD at the next IUFRO World Congress to be held in Salt Lake City, USA, later this year. This award is testimony to the international recognition of the research conducted by Jolanda and other staff members of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) at FABI.
Attached an article that appeared in the Pretoria News newspaper on 26 October 2013 after Prof Mike Wingfield of FABI mentioned in a seminar that the City's famous Jacaranda trees are threatened by a fungus.
In the attached an article about Myrtle rust in the the Farmer's Weekly that appeared in the issue of 19 July 2013.
The Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) based at FABI has recently received permission from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to release the parasitic wasp Cleruchoides noackae (Mymaridae), for the biological control of the Bronze Bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus. This is an incredibly important milestone in terms of ensuring sustainable plantation forestry in South Africa and it marks the culmination of a long
The Biennial Report of FABI for the period 2011-2013 has been released this week.
The red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei, is a pest of Eucalyptus species that has spread from Australia into many Eucalyptus growing countries, where it can cause substantial losses. Photos: The red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei (top, photo by Harsi S.
It has been about one year since the first releases of Selitrichodes neseri, biological control agent for Leptocybe invasa.
Prof Mike Wingfield, Director of FABI and the TPCP, has this week been elected as the new president of IUFRO (International Union of Forest Research Organizations). We would like to congratulate Mike with this major achievement that will greatly benefit the South African forestry industry and forestry research in South Africa.
Article appeared in Wood SA & Timber Times in November 2012.
July 25 2012 was an important day for forest protection in South Africa, as it marked the first release of Selitrichodes neseri, the biological control agent for the eucalyptus gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa.
Article appeared in Wood SA & Timber Times in December 2010.
Article appeared in Wood SA & Timber Times in December 2010.
Article appeared in Wood SA & Timber Times in December 2010.
Article appeared in Wood SA & Timber Times in December 2010.
Article appeared in Wood SA & Timber Times in December 2010.
Article appeared in Science for Society, the ASSAf Newsletter, in November 2010.
Two new species of fungi, recently discovered by UP staff members from FABI, has been respectively named after the University of Pretoria and FABI.
Article appeared in SAPPEX News Issue 106 in July 2000.
A killer fungus which is destroying the oak trees in Cape Town's historic Company's Gardens could have been introduced on citrus trees planted more than 300 years ago by Jan van Riebeeck.
After 200 years oak trees may disappear from the Avenue in the Company's Gardens in Cape Town.