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Ifapa is studying using reptiles for biological pest control in Almeria's greenhouses

The Andalusian Institute of Agricultural, Fisheries, Food, and Organic Production Research, and Training (Ifapa) have begun work in Almeria to identify and quantify reptiles in greenhouses, an investigation that seeks to assess the benefit that these species offer producers, as well as their role in pest control and the balance of the ecosystem.

The study, developed by the Ifapa's biological control research group with the technical assistance of the environmental and agronomic consultancy ARIA, will deepen the knowledge of the behavior, adaptation, and dynamics of these vertebrates in these agricultural environments.

This line of agro-ecological research, set up at Ifapa center in La Mojonera (Almeria) and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), has recently demonstrated the role of insectivorous aerial vertebrates in controlling important pests such as the tomato moth or Tuta absoluta.

The goal is to continue researching in this direction to quantify the vertebrates' role in the biological control of these pests within greenhouses and to transfer the results to the sector, thus promoting biological control and greater respect for biodiversity.

This research is part of the "Emerging and re-emerging pests in protected horticulture" project that Ifapa is developing until 2026 for the taxonomic and molecular identification of the populations of these pests, as well as their specific natural enemies and their usefulness as possible biological control agents.

The project also aims to offer solutions to specific pests such as tobacco thrips (Thrips parvispinus) or leaf miner (Liriomyza spp.), which pose a serious threat to Almería's greenhouse horticulture.

In this sense, Ifapa researchers and technicians are addressing the ecological aspects of these pests to better understand their population dynamics, optimize control strategies, and evaluate new biological control agents.

For more information:
Junta de Andalucía
www.juntadeandalucia.es

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