1.Biorational Fruit Fly Management in Africa and Asia

Russell IPM led an Innovate UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB) project along with 10 partners in Tanzania, Kenya, Nepal and Bangladesh to demonstrate the efficacy of Ceranock, a pheromone based attract and kill system for fruit fly.

Funding from the Innovate UK project board has helped Russell IPM to promote the technology in developing countries, working with local governments to reach, raise awareness and train local farmers.

Ceranock’s innovative attract and kill system results in 0% residues on fresh produce whilst effectively controlling fruit fly populations, helping impoverished growers avoid the need to blanket spray their crop with chemical pesticide and assist them in reaching lucrative export markets. Therefore, this collaboration has been instrumental in bringing cost-effective, environmentally-sensitive and innovative solutions for fruit fly to the developing world.

2. Control of Western Flower Thrips in the UK

As part of the Defra Horticulture LINK project to identify the most successful control methods of Western Flower Thrips in commercial strawberry production, Russell IPM demonstrated that application of the Optiroll sticky roller traps resulted in reduced damage and thrips numbers as well as a significant increase in marketable fruits.

The work was undertaken in a collaborative Defra-funded research project between growers, industry and research institutes, to develop effective strategies to manage this economically important pest. Russell IPM’s Optiroll sticky roller traps were found to offer effective protection when used as part of an integrated control programme with predatory mites.

Furthermore, the addition of a Western Flower Thrips pheromone to the sticky traps offered even better protection, resulting in 70% less fruit damage and a significant reduction in thrips numbers. We would like to thank Defra, Keele University and East Malling Research for their input and guidance in this study.