Archives: Meetings

Meeting Description

Joint Meeting: IOBC-WPRS SG “Integrated Protection of Date Palms” and CILBIA2

The joint meeting  of the IOBC-WPRS Study Group “Integrated Protection of Date Palms” and the CILBIA2, the Second International Conference on Biological and Integrated Control will provide an exceptional platform, to exchange insights and engage in discussion on IPM in date palm with relation to insect and disease pests. The current status and future strategies for date palms protection will be discussed and interactions will be strengthened between academia and other stakeholders while enjoying ancient city Biskra in Algeria.

The prospective sessions include:

  • Biology and Management of Date Palm Pests
  • Biological-based Control of Date Palm Pests
  • Semiochemical mediated Control of Date Palm Pests
  • Modern IPM of Date Palm Pests
  • Molecular Tools and OMICS Research in Date Palm
  • Climate Change and IPM of Date Palm Pests

We cordially welcome academicians, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, extension specialists, industry, biocontrol companies and growers.

Download: Announcement (pdf)

Meeting website: https://www.crstra.dz/seminaires/2025/cilbia-2/

 

Pherosphere 2026: Workshop of the IOBC-WPRS WG “Pheromones and Other Semiochemicals in Integrated Production”

Dear colleagues and friends,

We are thrilled to announce that the next international workshop of the IOBC-WPRS Working Group “Pheromones and Other Semiochemicals in Integrated Production” will take place from March 8 –12, 2026, at the Julius Kühn-Institut in Dossenheim, Germany!

Join us as we explore the cutting edge of semiochemical research and applications, from mating disruption and attract-and-kill strategies to the role of plant volatiles, dispenser innovations, AI-supported monitoring, and the future of pest control in a changing climate.

Expect a week packed with exciting talks, vibrant discussions, and plenty of opportunities to unwind — all set in a scenic region known for its vineyards, historic castles, and a proud tradition of wine production and beer brewing!

More details, abstract submission, and registration information will follow soon.
For now, please save the date and share this announcement with colleagues who may be interested!

We look forward to welcoming you to Dossenheim in 2026!

With warm regards,
Jürgen Gross (Convenor) and Jannicke Gallinger (Deputy Convenor)

11th Meeting of the IOBC-WPRS WG “Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity”

The 11th meeting of the IOBC-WPRS WG “Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity (LMFB)” will bring together the latest advances in research, development and application of landscape management for functional biodiversity to provide opportunity for exchange information, coordinate common research and identify areas for future researches and collaborations.

The 11th LMFB IOBC-WPRS workshop will focus on comparing approaches to monitor and preserve biodiversity in the agroecosystems, to improve pollination or pest regulation, and to diversify habitat and manage plant resources to enhance functional biodiversity, both in the crop and in the landscape mosaic.

All contributions sharing knowledges and experiences on these topics are welcome, regardless of the taxonomic groups, the cropping systems and the landscape scales considered for the management.

Download: Save the Date (pdf), First Announcement (pdf)

Meeting website: https://lmfb2026.symposium.inrae.fr

IOBC-WPRS WG “Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Temperate Climate”

The IOBC-WPRS Working Group “Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Temperate Climate” meets every three years and focuses on IPM and in particular biological control of pests and diseases in the temperate climate zone of the greenhouse sector. The last meeting was held in Brest, France, which was a joint meeting with the IOBC-WPRS Mediterranean Greenhouse WG.

This 18th meeting of this WG is organised by the entomology team of the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture of Wageningen University & Research. In addition to thematic scientific sessions, participants can look forward to an exciting full-day excursion to visit various modern greenhouse companies. The Netherlands is well known for its modern and high tech greenhouse sector with approximately 10.000 ha of both vegetable and ornamental crops. The meeting will give you a unique opportunity to visit companies showing their current biological control programmes, application and monitoring technologies, as well as the latest developments in energy saving and robotics.

Download: First Announcement (pdf)

Meeting website: https://iobc-greenhouse-wgm2026.org

ABIM 2025, Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting

The Premier Global Meeting Place for the Biocontrol Industry

The growth of the biocontrol industry reflects the need for a successful biocontrol event and ABIM provides it. ABIM is internationally recognised as the place to do business and discover and unveil new products, to discuss market opportunities, to present new research and products, to learn about the latest regulatory situation and to liaise with fellow professionals from all over the world.

What to expect at ABIM 2025

The year 2025 will mark significant anniversaries for the biocontrol industry: 30 years of IBMA, 20 years of ABIM, and 10 years of the Bernard Blum Award.

  • More than 2000 attendees from over 60 countries
  • Exhibition with over 150 exhibitors
  • Programme focused on hot topics and innovations in biocontrol
  • Large poster exhibition and poster session
  • Professional Group meetings for IBMA members and workshops
  • Bernard Blum Award for the most innovative biocontrol product of the year
  • And last but not least: Anniversary celebration

Website: https://www.abim.ch

International and interdisciplinary meeting  on non-target effects of biocontrolS

Non-target effects of alternatives to pesticides: an interdisciplinary meeting

Because synthetic pesticides are criticized for their harmful non-target effects, important efforts are put into developing alternatives, here referred-to as biocontrolS. But let’s learn from the unfortunate experiences of our predecessors and anticipate the risk of non-target effects of alternatives.

Our aim is to make it possible to use the same criteria to assess the effects generated by biocontrolS developed to protect crops and livestock, and to manage vector-borne diseases. Revealing and comparing non-target effects in all their diversity is necessary to guide the choice of solutions in a variety of contexts and territories. This will also enable us to identify sustainability criteria, essential for guiding changes in agricultural practices.

Why an “S” to biocontrolS? By biocontrolS, we mean all pest management solutions alternative to synthetic pesticides. As expected by the term “biocontrol”, we particularly target techniques and practices based on living organisms (e.g. biological control and autocidal control) and their products (biopesticides, pheromones, etc). Any levers able to control pests, weeds or diseases compatible with agroecological management can be presented and debated.

  • An emerging interdisciplinary topic! Participants who do not work on non-target effects (yet!) are welcome to participate as long as they have a genuine interest and can contribute to the general reflection on this topic. Non-target effects can be observed at different levels and their deciphering requires the integration of a diversity of approaches: environmental sciences, management sciences, biology, linguistics, sociology, health, economics, geography, history, chemistry, psychology, ecotoxicology, information-communication, ecology…
  • The meeting is intended to enable the assembly of the first pieces of a puzzle that will be completed together in the future. We’ll share original results or perspectives with any connection to non-target effects of biocontrolS and, ideally, build the foundations of an international interdisciplinary network to co-construct research questions, contribute to collective synthesis reviews, or set up new collaborations.

As the number of participants is limited to 100, submissions will be selected by a scientific committee in order to best represent all disciplinary fields and the diversity of perspectives around these issues.

For those who wish to attend the conferences, there are still seats available. You can register until August 25, 2025 (abstract submission is no longer possible): https://nte-bc.workshop.inrae.fr/forms/registration.

Meeting website: https://nte-bc.workshop.inrae.fr
Program: https://nte-bc.workshop.inrae.fr/program

4th International Date Palm Training Course 2025

Date Palm and Sustainable Development

The Egyptian Saudian Co. for Organic and Chemical Agriculture at Egypt has successfully organized three training courses. Following the success of the previous two editions, the 3rd International Date Palm Training Course took place in Cairo from 20 to 24 April 2024, under the theme “Our Palms, Our National Wealth”. This edition marked a significant milestone in the advancement of the date palm industry, offering intensive practical training alongside advanced theoretical sessions. The 4th edition of the International Date Palm Training Course 2025 “Date Palm and Sustainable Development” is being organized w.e.f. 26 April 2025 to 01 May 2025 at Cairo, Egypt. IOBC-WPRS Study Group on “Integrated Protection of Date Palms” is one of the sponsor jointly organizing this event at Cairo, Egypt. More information:
4th International Date Palm Training Course 2025, 26 April - 01 May 2025, Cairo, Egypt: Theoretical objectives
4th International Date Palm Training Course 2025, 26 April - 01 May 2025, Cairo, Egypt: Practical objectives

29th International Working Group of Ostrinia and Other Maize Pests (IWGO) Conference

The next and 29th International Working Group of Ostrinia and Other Maize Pests (IWGO) Conference of the International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC-Global) will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between 28th and 31st of October 2025.

We like to inform you that we will partner with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) who will co-host the IWGO event at their MARDI Auditorium on the MARDI campus in Putrajaya, away from the hustle of Kuala Lumpur city. Despite the high interest in fall armyworm, we would like to point out that the scientific programme will not only focus on fall armyworm control options and that other topics will be discussed too, such as the success and challenges of non-chemical control approaches of different maize pests and the genomics of maize pest insects. A field trip will be organized in collaboration with MARDI and offered for optional registration on Friday 31st of October 2025. In the next step, we will contact you to collect ideas for scientific session and to identify teams of co-session organizers following the format of earlier IWGO conferences.

As announced earlier, long-time Co-convenors Prof Zhenying Wang (17 years of dedicated service) and Dr Tom Sappington (12 years of dedicated service) step away from their roles in IWGO due to their retirement plans. Dr Feng Zhang of CABI in Beijing, China, and Dr Dominic Reisig of North Carolina State University, USA, have graciously agreed to take on the Co-Convenorships.

Please contact Ulli Kuhlmann (u.kuhlmann@cabi.org), Dominic Reisig (ddreisig@ncsu.edu) and Feng Zhang (f.zhang@cabi.org) if you would like to propose an interesting scientific session topic or if you like to be updated about the upcoming conference in Malaysia.

More information: https://www.iwgo.org/news

 

Biopesticides Europe 2025

Biopesticides are at the forefront of a new era in pest control, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. By utilizing natural sources such as plants, microorganisms, and beneficial fungi, it provides effective crop protection while preserving the health of ecosystems. This innovative alternative is redefining the way we protect our crops, ensuring sustainable agriculture practices, and minimising the ecological footprint of pest control.

Biopesticides Europe 2025 is set to take place on the 4th and 5th of June 2025; the two-day conference will be focused on exploring the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in the industry. Bringing together leaders from agriculture, research, and policy, this event will cover key topics such as scaling biopesticides for commercial use, integrating biopesticides with precision agriculture technologies, and overcoming regulatory hurdles. Attendees will gain actionable insights, hear real-world success stories, and discussions on shaping the future of pest management in Europe.

Conference Website: https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/biopesticides-europe
Conference Agenda: https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/cpee8-mkt-agenda

For More Info & Registration:
Name: Rohan Baryah – Marketing & Delegate Sales
Phone: + 48 (0)61 646 7022
Email: rbaryah@acieu.net

Entomology 2025

Bridging Generations with Innovation, Legacy, and Passion

Get ready for Entomology 2025! From November 9-12, 2025, Portland, Oregon will be buzzing with excitement as thousands of insect science professionals gather for this unmissable event.

In 2025, we’re celebrating the theme of Bridging Generations—uniting the wisdom of the past with the innovations of the future, all fueled by our shared passion for entomology.

Why This Year is Unmissable:

  • Innovative Ideas: Dive into groundbreaking research and cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of insect science.
  • Legacy of Knowledge: Honor the rich history and contributions of entomologists who have paved the way for today’s advancements.
  • Passionate Community: Connect with a vibrant network of professionals who are as enthusiastic about insects as you are.

Exclusive In-Person Experience:

  • No Virtual Presentations: Immerse yourself fully in the live, interactive sessions and hands-on workshops.
  • Networking Opportunities: Forge new friendships and professional connections that will last a lifetime.
  • Memorable Moments: Create lasting memories with fellow entomologists in the beautiful city of Portland.

Get ready to be inspired!

Meeting website: https://entsoc.org/events/annual-meeting

Second International Conference on Biological Control: Biocontrol Contributions to One Health (2icbc2025)

This conference will be a pivotal gathering of scientists, researchers, practitioners and policymakers from around the globe, united by a shared commitment to advancing the field of biological control and its critical role in promoting One Health. This holistic approach recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, and underscores the importance of sustainable, integrated solutions to some of our most pressing global challenges.

Building on the success of our First International Conference on Biological Control: Approaches and Applications (1icbc2018), which was a landmark event that attracted delegates from over 20 countries and offered a platform for extensive exchange of knowledge and networking, the second edition is aiming to provide an even broader stage for the exchange of leading-edge research, innovative technologies and best practices in biocontrol and allied sectors. The central theme of this edition highlights the multifaceted benefits of biocontrol strategies in enhancing ecosystem health, agricultural productivity and public wellbeing.

The programme includes an exciting lineup of keynote addresses, plenary sessions and thematic sessions led by renowned experts in the field. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions, explore collaborative research opportunities and participate in field visits to witness biocontrol applications in real-world settings.

Website: https://icbc2025.eventsdashboard.in

8th International Entomophagous Insects Conference (IEIC)

This biennial conference aims to bring together scientists from around the world to share and disseminate information and new discoveries on the biology of parasitoids and predators of insects. Topics include behaviour, evolution, physiology, chemical ecology, genetics/genomics, systematics, population, community and landscape ecology, biological control and integrated pest management, biodiversity and conservation biology. The aim of this conference is therefore to stimulate discussion and generate new collaborations that will lead to innovative and effective research on entomophagous insects.

Website: https://ieic2025.sciencesconf.org

Agriculture 2025

International Conference on Agriculture and Horticulture

Theme: Innovations in Shaping the Future of Agriculture and Horticulture

The International Conference on Agriculture and Horticulture will gather researchers, scientists, agronomists, horticulturists, and industry professionals from around the globe to discuss the latest innovations and developments in agriculture and horticulture.

The conference includes a comprehensive program, including keynote presentations by eminent experts, interactive workshops, and insightful panel discussions. Attendees will explore a broad range of topics, such as sustainable farming practices, advanced horticultural techniques, crop science, soil health, agricultural biotechnology, and the impact of climate change on agriculture. These sessions aim to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and spur innovative solutions to global agricultural challenges.

Website: https://agriculture.c2pforum.com

16th Workshop of the IOBC-Global MRQA Working Group

Innovations in rearing high-quality invertebrates

Joint meeting of the IOBC Global Working Group on Mass Rearing & Quality Assurance (MRQA) and the Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers (ANBP)

The organizing committee has decided to postpone the meeting for one year to October 2026.
Many of our members and invited speakers expressed their uncertainty to secure funding and/or approval to travel to the meeting. We hope that in a year’s time, these issues will have stabilized, and we will have a much better chance of having the required number of attendees to make this meeting a success.
We still plan to hold the meeting in Tucson, Arizona, and will keep working over the coming year to organize a great meeting.
We hope to see you all at the meeting, just a little bit later than expected!

The workshop objective is to explore opportunities for advancing the rearing of high quality entomophagous and phytophagous insects and mites, entomopathogenic nematodes, and other invertebrates for plant and animal pest management, human and animal food, and a variety of other uses. The program will consist of symposia on current “Hot topics,” invited and submitted presentations and posters on mass rearing and quality assurance. Presentations will serve as a basis for discussion and exchange, with the final aim of improving collaboration among scientists and practitioners.

General topics for the sessions include:

  1. Mass rearing and evaluating biological control agents for crop pests
  2. Mass rearing for SIT and other autocidal pest control
  3. Methods for assessing the quality of biological control products
  4. Mass rearing insects for food and feed
  5. Open session on rearing invertebrates

Download: First Announcement (pdf)

More information on IOBC-MRQA: https://www.mrqa.eu

Plant Protection and Plant Health International (11th PPPHI)

Scientific Innovations & Regulatory Challenges in Biocontrol

Worldwide, biological control of plant pests and diseases employing natural resources from naturally occurring antagonists to bio-industrially produced control agents [industrially produced biocontrol agents] is considered as key component in the transformation of our agricultural systems towards reducing the use of chemical pesticides and to develop a more resilient and sustainable crop production. Significant progress has been made during the last two decades in research and development, in the regulation and marketing of biological control products. Yet, the implementation of biological tools needs to be further accelerated to achieve the UN goals for sustainable development, the aims of the Farm-to-Fork strategy of the EU and similar ambitious strategies in many other countries to reduce the negative impact of pesticide use on human health and the environment.

The 11th PPPHI symposium aims to exchange knowledge and to develop ideas how research may contribute to overcome the current scientific and regulatory limitations of using biocontrol agents in crop production.

This symposium will deal with four main topics a) the research needs, b) the potential and limitations of microbial genome sequencing, c) the issues of selectivity and effectiveness of biological control, and d) future perspectives towards a successful implementation of biocontrol in production practice.

Symposium website: https://ppphi.plant-protection.net

 

Cookie Consent with Real Cookie Banner