The 21^st Congress of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa (ESSA) with the theme “Innovative Entomology” was held in Umhlanga in the KwaZulu-Natal Province from 8-11 July. The meeting illustrated the innovative research done across southern Africa on topics including biodiversity conservation, agriculture and invasive species. Three plenary speakers were invited to present. Prof. John Pickett from Cardiff University talked about “Innovative entomology for the sustainable management of pest and beneficial insects. Professor Lizette Koekemoer from the University of the Witwatersrand presented on “Malaria Sterile Insect Technique: smooth road or with some potholes”. Finally, Prof. Aruna Manrakhan from Citrus Research International gave a talk on “Integrated management of quarantine insect pests: the case of frugivorous fruit flies”.

FABI had a significant presence at the congress with and presented a wide array of research with two poster and nine oral presentations. The congress was also an opportunity to extend FABI’s connection with other research Institutes within the region. 

Posters:

Katayumane A, Hurly BP, Slippers B, Wondafrash M, Malan A. Patterns and mechanisms of susceptibility of white grubs to South Africa’s entomopathogenic nematodes. 

Townsend G, Roets F, van Rooyen E, Hill M, de Beer ZW. Assessing the threat of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer to native forests in South Africa.

Schröder M, Bush S, Slippers B, Hurley BP. Augmentative biological control of the Eucalyptus snout beetle

Presentations:

de Beer ZW, van den Berg N, Fourie G, Morgan S, Nel W, Fell S, du Toit M, Paap T.  Current status of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) invasion in South Africa

Dittrich-Schröder G, Hurley BP, Wingfield MJ, Slippers B.  An online DNA database developed to facilitate the identification if invasive Eucalyptus pests.

Eshetu F, Nahrung H, Barnes I, Fitza KNE, Elms S, Slippers B. Genetic diversity of the biocontrol nematode Deladenus siricidicola in Australia and New Zealand.

Gevers C, Dittrich-Schröder G, Hurley BP, Slippers B. The Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) complex in South Africa: its community and distribution.

Hurley BP, Fitza KNE, Wingfield MJ, Slippers B. History of introduction and population diversity of the Sirex woodwasp parasitoid, Ibalia leucospoides (Hymenoptera: Ibaliidae).

Queffelec J, Greeff J, Allison J, Slippers B. Dynamics of Wolbachia infection in a haplodiploid hymenopteran species.

Smith AK, Hurley BP, Slippers B, Fourie G. Characterisation of Lepidoptera species associated with Macadamia nut damage in South Africa.

Strydom H, Ouifki R, Chapwanya M, Slippers B. Modelling genetic manipulative tools towards improved control methods for Sirex noctilio.

Wondafrash M, Slippers B, Nambazimana A, Kayumba I, Nibouche S, van Lingen S, Asfaw B, Jenya H, Mutitu E, Makowe I, Chungu D, Kiwuso P, Kulimushi E, Boau P, Hurley BP.  Distribution and diversity of invasive pests of Eucalyptus in sub-Saharan Africa.