During the week of 5 October 2026, the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) extension team, led by Sandisiwe Jali and including Tholinhlanhla Ndlovu, Junior Mateya, and Thamia Laka, conducted a field visit to the Lowveld region of Mpumalanga to establish a Pissodes sp. trapping trial at Sappi’s Mooifontein plantation. The purpose of the trial is to test different lures for their effectiveness to attract the Pissodes weevil. If a successful lure is identified this can be used in other projects, such as to determine if the weevil plays a role in spreading the pathogenic fungus, Fusarium circinatum. During the field visit, the team was joined by Sappi’s Prof. Jolanda Roux and Katharine Spencer, who played an important role in identifying a suitable site for the trial. Their valuable contribution, particularly during the planning and preparation stages, including spending time with the team in the field to set up the trial, is greatly appreciated. Other field activities undertaken by the TPCP team during the week in Mpumalanga included the collection of Gonipterus sp. 2 egg capsules for the ongoing Anaphes nitens release project at FABI, as well as a visit to a TWK wattle farmer to investigate tree health-related concerns. The TPCP extension team would like to sincerely thank Gerrit Pool, Prof. Jolanda Roux, Katharine Spencer, and Vusumuzi Nene (SAPPI), as well as Lothar Meyer and Ralf Conrad (TWK), for their assistance in facilitating the various farm visits and field activities undertaken during the week.