Ecuador discovers two insects to aid fight against pests - FreshFruitPortal.com

Ecuador discovers two insects to aid fight against pests

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Ecuador discovers two insects to aid fight against pests

Ecuador hasĀ discovered two insects within its borders that can fight disease-spreading pests, in what is being hailed as an 'important step' toward boosting biological controls.clementines_70840582

After three years of research, scientists discovered the Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis -Ā which can be used to control populations of the Asian citrus psyllid - along with the Tamarixia Mercet.

The Asian citrus psyllidĀ is considered the mainĀ vector of citrus greening disease, also known as HLB, which has devastated citrus industries across the world.

Mariuxi GĆ³mez, a scientific advisor from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries (MAGAP), said the Asian citrus psyllid was first detected in Ecuador in 2014, but until now no insects that control its populations had been found.

GĆ³mez said the discovery ofĀ Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensisĀ andĀ Tamarixia Mercet had been made by a group of national and international researchers in the province of Guayas, who were supported by MAGAP.

"It is important to note that Diaphorencyrtus andĀ Tamarixia are used in different regions around the world as one of the main agents of biological control against citrus psyllids," he said.

"This is the first findĀ of both species in our country."

Ecuador's MinisterĀ of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and FisheriesĀ Javier Ponce Cevallos said the scientific team was focused on sharing information and techniques forĀ integrated agricultural pest management.

"We are constantly looking for ways to incorporate organic elements into our agriculture," he said.

He said the discovery of these insects was a 'fundamental step' toward boost the country's biological controls against pests, adding it would allow the country to have a 'cleaner, more sustainable' production.

In addition,Ā GĆ³mez mentioned the discovery would help organic produce exportersĀ meet market requirements.

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