The Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (Institute of Grapevine and Wine Sciences) hosted a congress to celebrate a century of the discovery of Steinernema kraussei Steiner at Logroño, Spain, from 8-12 April. The congress provided a platform to celebrate the achievements and advancements made in the field of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biological control agents of important insect pests in agriculture. Several topics were covered ranging from systematics, diversity and biogeography of EPNs; behavioral ecology; survival, virulence, and immunity of EPNs; mass production, safety, and regulation; to the application technology of EPNs.

The meeting was attended by FABIans Innocent Rakubu (Ph.D candidate) and Prof. Brett Hurley, as well as collaborator Dr Tshimangadzo Ramakuwela from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria. Innocent presented two posters titled: “Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes on pupae of Eucalyptus snout beetle, Gonipterus sp. n. 2” and “Host-finding strategies of five South African entomopathogenic nematodes species”.

In addition to providing researchers and industry representatives a platform to share inspiring and impactful ideas, the congress served as a platform to establish and strengthen international collaborations. Such collaborations are crucial for facilitating a fast exchange of new scientific findings and techniques among researchers.