Field Visit Highlights Collaborative Research on Pest Control in the Basse Vallée de la Durance!

March 6, 2025 – Basse Vallée de la Durance, Franc

A group of 18 fruit growers and 3 technical advisors from the Basse Vallée de la Durance "atelier site" gathered for a morning of dialogue and discovery with the "Conservation Biological Control" team from the PSH research unit. The event offered participants a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into the experimental research conducted directly within their orchards.

A Morning of Insightful Exchanges

For over a decade, these orchards have served as a long-term observatory where scientists study the interactions between pest populations and beneficial insects, set against a backdrop of changing landscapes and evolving agricultural practices. The March 6 meeting fostered valuable exchanges, as growers were introduced to ongoing research projects both in the laboratory insectarium and in the field trials maintained by the PSH unit.

Focus on Codling Moth – A Key Challenge

A major topic of concern for growers remains the codling moth (Cydia pomonella), a key pest affecting apples and pears. This nocturnal moth’s larvae burrow into fruit, causing significant economic damage across orchards.

To tackle this, researchers are monitoring codling moth damage in commercial orchards to better understand the relationship between pest pressures, landscape context, and farming practices. In parallel, the lab team is developing and testing agroecological strategies and biocontrol solutions—such as natural predators or mating disruption—that are later evaluated in experimental orchards or directly on growers’ farms.

From Lab to Field to Landscape

This dynamic transfer of knowledge—from laboratory to field, and from field to landscape—enables researchers to generate real-world data that helps fine-tune pest management strategies. These findings, in turn, guide technical advice tailored to growers’ needs and conditions.

The visit underscored the importance of collaborative science and knowledge exchange in supporting more sustainable, effective approaches to crop protection. Events like this strengthen the ties between research and practice, laying the foundation for resilient and eco-friendly fruit production systems.