Dr Mark Ero (Head of Entomology) attended and presented at the International Congress on Invertebrate Pathology and Microbial Control organised by the Society of Invertebrate Pathology (SIP). The conference was held at the Gold Coast in Australia from the 12th to 17th August 2018.
The conference included plenary, symposium and poster sessions. The presentations covered bacteria, fungi, nematode and virus. A specific symposium under the Microbial Control Division on the challenges of G-biotype Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB-G) was organised. The title of the symposium was “The challenge of the CRB-G to palm production in the Pacific and prospects for microbial control.” The symposium was held on Monday 13th August 2018. The main objective of this symposium was organised to raise the profile of the issue to specialists present at the conference to see if they can assist with biocontrol efforts of the problem.
Presentations at this symposium were from AgResearch NZ, Biosecurity Solomon Islands (BSI), Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), PNG Oil Palm Research Association (PNGOPRA), Secretariat of Pacific Community (SPC), University of Guam, University of Hawaii and the University of Tokyo. The title of the presentation by Dr Ero was “The infestation and management of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) in PNG (CRB-P) and Solomon Islands (CRB-G) on oil palm.”
Apart from the formal sessions, a side meeting was organised by the CRB-G working committee with representatives from each organisation attending. The representatives provided updates on progress of activities in their respective countries/organisations, discussions on coordination and activities going forward were held. A press release on the issue was also prepared for circulation.
CRB-G working group representatives with the Society of Invertebrate Pathology (SIP) banner
Dr Mark Ero answering questions from the audience after the presentation.