On May 12th, 2026, our partner Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra presented new research findings from NextGenBioPest at the International Scientific Days 2026 (ISD 2026) , held in Horný Smokovec, Slovakia — one of the key annual gatherings of the Central and Eastern European agricultural research community. ISD 2026 brought together scientists, academics, and researchers from across the region to exchange the latest findings in agricultural sciences, rural developme

On April 17th, 2026, our partner University of Catania (UNICT) organised a highly engaging field demoday at Marina di Ragusa, Italy , under the theme "Biodiversità Funzionale e Nuovi Approcci per la Gestione dei Fitofagi in Coltura Protetta" (Functional Biodiversity and New Approaches for the Management of Pests in Protected Cultivation). The event brought together students, agronomists and technicians, farmers, industry representatives, and the research community for a han

On April 3rd, 2026, our partners Ghent University and Inagro welcomed a group of 11 students from Ghent University for a hands-on visit to Inagro's greenhouse facilities — an immersive educational experience at the intersection of applied agricultural research and sustainable crop protection. The visit offered students a direct window into the real-world research environment where many of the innovations being developed within NextGenBioPest are tested and validated, bri

On March 26th, 2026, our partner Inagro took NextGenBioPest beyond the research facility and into the educational landscape, hosting an in-person visit with regional coordinators for agricultural education to promote the project and broader scientific research activities to schools across the region. The meeting brought together key figures from regional authorities responsible for shaping agricultural education curricula and outreach at the school level — making it a stra

From March 11th to 13th, 2026, our partner INRAE (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food & the Environment) organised and participated in the 11th Meeting of the IOBC-WPRS Working Group on "Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity" , held in Avignon, France — one of the most prestigious gatherings in the European landscape ecology and integrated pest management research community. The International Organisation for Biological and Integrated Control of Nox

On March 14th, 2026, our partner Smart Agro Hub represented the NextGenBioPest project at Agrotica 2026 , one of the most important agricultural trade fairs in Southeast Europe, held in Thessaloniki, Greece . Agrotica is a landmark event in the regional agricultural calendar, attracting thousands of farmers, agri-businesses, researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals from across Greece and the wider Balkan region. It offers a unique space where the latest agricult

On March 12th, 2026, our partner Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (Fraunhofer IME) received a distinguished guest at its facilities in Giessen, Germany : Minister Dorothee Bär , German Federal Minister, who visited the institute to learn firsthand about cutting-edge research in sustainable plant protection — including the RNA-based biopesticide work being carried out in the context of NextGenBioPest . The visit brought together national, regiona

In March 2026, our partner University of Catania (UNICT) opened the doors of its research laboratories to a group of high school students, offering them a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the world of scientific research in sustainable agriculture — and introducing them to the work being carried out under the NextGenBioPest project. The visit was part of UNICT's ongoing commitment to science outreach and education, bringing prospective students into direct contact with the

On March 3rd, 2026, our partner Institut Agro Montpellier brought NextGenBioPest into the lecture hall, presenting the project to students as part of two dedicated classes on the use of companion plants and biological control . The sessions offered students a valuable opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge with cutting-edge, real-world research being carried out within the NextGenBioPest consortium. By embedding the project's findings and approaches directly into the

Abstract Mites cause significant agricultural losses by feeding directly on crops and indirectly by reducing pollination services due to the negative impacts of honey bee parasites on apiary health. Further, mites are notorious for developing resistance to chemical control methods, creating an urgent need for new mode of action acaricides to be used in integrated pest management programs. Over the past decade, significant efforts to develop RNAi-based acaricides for agricultu

Abstract Thrips are major agricultural pests globally and spinosyn insecticides like spinosad and spinetoram are commonly used for their control. However, numerous cases of resistance have emerged, often linked to mutations in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α6 subunit, the main molecular target of spinosyns. In this study, toxicological data for spinosad and spinetoram were obtained from a susceptible strain of Frankliniella occidentalis , as well as two fiel

Abstract Parasitoid wasps contribute to biological control services. Parasitoid adults are highly dependent on sugar-rich resources. Adding flowering plants providing nectar in crop fields promotes parasitoid wasps, but not always pest parasitism because addition of flowering plants may attract parasitoid species that are not directly involved in the control of crop pests. In a factorial experiment conducted for one year in pesticide-free orchards, we analysed the effects of

Abstract The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae , is an economically important crop pest that has evolved resistance to numerous insecticides used for control. Recent research has shown that populations of M. persicae in Greece have evolved resistance to flupyradifurone, a butenolide insecticide that acts as a reversible agonist on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). However, the genetic mechanisms underpinning resistance remain unclear. Here we used transcript

Abstract Pesticide resistance in agricultural pests poses a significant challenge to sustainable crop protection. In this study, we assessed the current resistance status of two key pests, Tetranychus urticae and Bemisia tabaci, in major agricultural regions of Greece. A total of 25 field populations were collected between 2023 and 2025 and tested using single-dose toxicity bioassays and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for known resistance-associated target-site mutations. The re

NextGenBioPest was presented to the wider public at AdNatura – Le Salon de l’Écologie et de la Biodiversité , held in Montpellier, France. The event, dedicated to ecology and biodiversity, brings together researchers, practitioners, associations, and citizens to explore solutions for protecting ecosystems and promoting sustainable practices. During the event, Institut Agro Montpellier delivered an oral communication titled “Diversity and Biological Control” , highlighting th

On 12 November 2025 , NextGenBioPest participated in the II Encuentro Nacional de Asesores , a national gathering of plant health advisors held in Valencia, Spain . This key event brought together industry leaders, business partners, agricultural advisors, and experts focused on strengthening plant protection advisory services and promoting sustainable crop management practices across Spain. Engaging with Plant Health Advisors The II Encuentro Nacional de Asesores—a forum ded

Abstract Spider mites and thrips are major agricultural pests worldwide. Despite their well-documented impact on crop yields in South-East Asia, their species composition, distribution, and pesticide susceptibility remain poorly studied in the region. This study focused on the Red River Delta region of Vietnam. Multiple populations of spider mites and thrips were collected and subjected to phylogenetic analysis for reliable species identification. For the first time, Tetranyc

Abstract Spider mites are significant agricultural pests in apple orchards, where their control relies heavily on acaricide applications. In this study, seven populations of Tetranychus turkestani were collected from apple orchards in Isfahan Province, Iran, to evaluate their susceptibility to hexythiazox and etoxazole. Probit analysis revealed significant resistance to hexythiazox in T. turkestani populations, with resistance ratios (RRs) ranging from 290- to 2550-fold, w

Abstract The CncC/Keap1 signalling pathway regulates antioxidant and detoxification gene expression in arthropods and is frequently associated with metabolic insecticide resistance. This review critically assesses evidence for its role in resistance phenotypes across key pest species. Although overactivation of CncC/Keap1 correlates with increased detoxification enzyme expression and pesticide tolerance, causal mutations in the coding or regulatory regions of CncC , Keap1 , o