NextGenBioPest at the 20th Hellenic Entomological Congress!
From October 20th to 24th, 2025, the 20th Hellenic Entomological Congress took place in Mytilene, Greece, bringing together entomologists and crop protection specialists from across the country. Our partner ELGO DIMITRA (Hellenic Agricultural Organisation) used the occasion to promote NextGenBioPest, delivering two oral presentations that addressed two sides of the same challenge: understanding pesticide resistance and strengthening biological control.
Congress website: https://entomology2025.aegean.gr/
Understanding Resistance: Panonychus citri in Greece
The first presentation, titled "Resistance of Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae) to Insecticides in Greece: Combined Phenotypic and Molecular Analysis", focused on the citrus red mite, a pest that affects citrus production. The work combined phenotypic data, which show how the mites actually respond to treatments, with molecular analysis, which looks for the genetic changes associated with reduced sensitivity.
Combining the two approaches gives a much clearer picture of resistance than either could alone, and it supports one of the key messages of NextGenBioPest: effective, sustainable pest management starts with evidence-based resistance monitoring. Knowing where and how resistance is developing helps growers and advisors choose the right tools and avoid the overuse of products that no longer work.
Working with Nature: Banker Plants Against Nesidiocoris tenuis
The second presentation, titled "Reducing Damage Caused by Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) in Tomato Plants: The Role of Banker Plants as Alternative Hosts", turned to biological control in tomato crops.
Nesidiocoris tenuis is a predatory bug widely used in tomato production, but it can also feed on the plant itself and cause damage when prey is scarce. The presentation explored the role of banker plants, which provide alternative hosts and food sources, as a way to support the predator population while reducing the damage it causes to the crop. This kind of ecological management reflects the NextGenBioPest philosophy of harnessing natural enemies and biodiversity to protect crops with fewer chemical inputs.
