Research to improve pest risk methods

The International Pest Risk Research Group is focused on improving pest risk modelling and mapping methods through the application and sharing of rigorous, innovative research.

Come join us at IPRRG 2023!

Come join us at IPRRG 2023!

The first meeting of the International Pest Risk Research Group (IPRRG) in Africa, in partnership with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, CABI and Cervantes Agritech, will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 21st to 24th September 2023. We'd love for you to join us! Online registration is open and we're still accepting abstracts.

Visit the "IPRRG 2023" meeting page

IPRRG Webinar Series

IPRRG Webinar Series

The IPRRG webinar series continues! Anyone can attend one of our webinars by following the webcast link on the "IPRRG Webinar Series" page. Recordings are also available afterward via IPRRG's YouTube channel. ** Interested in presenting? contact one of the Executive Committee officers! **

Visit the "IPRRG Webinar Series" page

Project X - "Burgeoning Asian Trade Connectivity: Implications for International Pest Risks"

Project X - "Burgeoning Asian Trade Connectivity: Implications for International Pest Risks"

A new Group project, known by the nickname "Project X", emerged from the IPRRG 2018 meeting in Taichung, Taiwan. The project is intended to focus the skills and talents of IPRRG on a pressing global issue. A full prospectus for the project is available on the Project X page.

Visit the 'Project X' page

Old world bollworm risk to US borne out

Pest risk modelling warning for old world bolworm borne out In July, the South East Farm Press reported that a male Helicoverpa armigera (old world bollworm) adult had been detected in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey survey in Florida.  [Latest reports have updated this to three adult male moths trapped].  This species poses a threat to a very wide range of […]

Read More

Helicoverpa armigera invading the Americas

Helicoverpa armigera larva in maize (Photo Tek Tay, CSIRO)

Helicoverpa armigera larva in maize (Photo Tek Tay, CSIRO)

Helicoverpa armigera has recently been discovered in South America.  It has since been tracked spreading into the Caribbean.  Pest risk modelling has revealed that most of the US crop production may be at some degree of risk from this pest, which has developed resistance to most pesticides.  The rapid northward spread in the Americas suggests that it is now a matter of when, rather than if it will invade the USA.  The pest risk research has been published in PLOS One.

The potential distribution of Helicoverpa armigera

The current and potential distribution of Helicoverpa armigera

(more…)

Read More

Panama disease in Queensland bananas

  Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 has been detected in Queensland, Australia.  In a blow to lovers of Cavendish bananas, this devastating vascular soil borne disease of bananas has been discovered in Tully, North Queensland, Australia.  This news is particularly difficult for Queenslanders to accept, as they are affectionately known within Australia […]

Read More

Myrtle Rust in Tasmania

Myrtle Rust, caused by Puccinia psidii s.l. has been detected in Tasmania, Australia.  Also known as Guava or Eucalypt rust, this pathogen has an extremely wide host range, focused on the Myrtaceae.  There have been a number of pest risk analyses prepared and published by our members.  One of these indicated that parts of Tasmania […]

Read More