http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/index.html http://www.fao.org/ag/portal/index_en.html No. 84 , January 2015 Contents To Our Readers 1 Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) Other News 29 and Research Coordination Meetings Insect Pest Control Subprogramme 4 Relevant Published (RCMs) 15 Articles 31 Forthcoming Events 5 Developments at the Insect Pest Papers in Peer Past Events 6 Control Laboratory (IPLC) 19 Reviewed Journals 34 Technical Cooperation Reports 23 Other Publications 40 Field Projects 7 Announcements 26 To Our Readers Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to IAEA on September 29, 2014 at the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony in Seibersdorf, Austria for the construction of the new Insect Pest Control Laboratory of the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratories as part of the ReNuAL project (Renovation of the Nuclear Applications Laboratories). The second person from right to left is the FAO Deputy Director General, Maria Helena Sem- edo, the fourth the Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors, Martha Žiaková, and the fifth the IAEA Director General, Yukiya Amano. The ceremony was held in conjunction with a celebration to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture (see insert), which was attended by more than 200 participants with representation from 48 Member States. Insect & Pest Control Newsletter, No. 84, January 2015 Conceptual design of the new Insect Pest Control Laboratory to be built in 2015-2016 in Seibersdorf, Austria. The 2 145 m2 (net) laboratory will con- sist of two floors and will house four sub-groups dealing with plant pests, livestock pests, human disease vectors and genetics/microbiology. On 29 September 2014, a ceremony was held in Seibers- of Member States, by 2017, we will have a cluster of mod- dorf, Austria to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the ern, well-equipped laboratories here in Seibersdorf that we Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food can all be proud of.” and Agriculture, as well as the ground-breaking for the The enormous contributions of the Joint FAO/IAEA Divi- renovation of the IAEA’s Nuclear Sciences and Applica- sion during the past 50 years were also honoured, serving tions laboratories at Seibersdorf – including the FAO/IAEA stakeholders worldwide to meet the changing needs of Agriculture & Biotechnology Laboratories. This ceremony Member States through the peaceful uses of nuclear tech- was honoured by the presence of the Chair and Members of nologies based on the shared goals of our two parent organ- the IAEA Board of Governors, senior management and izations and the five strategic objectives of FAO. over 200 participants, with 48 Member States represented. Established on 1 October 1964, this FAO/IAEA partnership All the former directors of the FAO/IAEA Joint Division still remains unique, with its key strengths based on inter- since its inception in 1964, starting with its founder, Mau- agency cooperation within the United Nations family. It is rice Fried (1961-1983), Björn Sigurbjörnson (1983-1994), a tangible joint organizational entity with a fusion of com- and James Dargie (1994-2005) were able to attend, together plementary mandates, common targets, a joint programme, with our current Director Qu Liang (2005-present). Their co-funding and coordinated management geared to de- dedication to establish the Joint Division and to develop mand-driven and results-based services to its Members and strong and sustainable foundations is very much appreciat- to the international community at large. ed, as well as the efforts to travel to Vienna to join us for this new milestone in the history of the Joint Division. The mission of the Joint Division has proactively evolved to address new challenges in Member States and nuclear IAEA Director General, Yukiya Amano, a representative of applications continue to provide added value to conven- the FAO Director General, Ms Maria Helena Semedo, FAO tional approaches in addressing a range of agricultural Deputy Director General and Coordinator of Natural Re- problems and issues, including food safety, animal produc- sources, as well as Board of Governors Chair, Ms Martha tion and health, crop improvement, insect pest control and Žiaková, each delivered remarks in support of Renovation sustainable use of finite natural resources. Over the past 50 of the Nuclear Applications Laboratories (ReNuAL ) and the years, this partnership has brought countless successes with achievements of the Joint Division. distinct socio-economic impact at country, regional and In his remarks, DG Amano said, “Our symbolic ground- global levels in Member States. breaking today marks the start of the implementation of the The 50 year anniversary was taken as an opportunity to ReNuAL project. I am confident that with the active support highlight examples of tangible, sustainable results derived 2 Insect & Pest Control Newsletter, No. 84, January 2015 out of this unique partnership – beneficial to Member States of both parent organizations – and to share these with our many stakeholders around the world. These new communication materials outline successes using nuclear techniques related to field applications in food and agricul- ture: http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/resources- nafa/IAEAsuccessStories-2014.pdf http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/resources- nafa/ProgBrochure-2014.pdf http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/resources- nafa/LabBrochure-2014.pdf The ReNuAL project is an initiative to modernize the eight FAO Director General, José Graziano da Silva, and IAEA Deputy Di- laboratories in Seibersdorf that belong to the IAEA’s De- rector General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences, Aldo partment of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. The project Malavasi, at their recent meeting in Rome to confirm the support of both includes in its first phase for the construction of a new In- organizations to the Joint FAO/IAEA Division, as well as support to sect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) to replace the existing fund-raising for and implementation of the ReNuAL project that in- cludes upgrading the five laboratories of the FAO/IAEA Agriculture & IPCL, a patchwork of many additions over the last 50 years Biotechnology Laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria. that urgently needs to be upgraded, not only to address a number of space and other biosecurity and staff safety limi- A number of Member States have also expressed support to tations, but also to be able to respond to expanding current the establishment of biosafety level 3 capabilities to be able Member State demands. The first phase of ReNuAL will to respond to emerging challenges related to transboundary also include three additional laboratories related to other animal diseases, some of which are transmitted by insect nuclear applications in the field of agriculture and the envi- vectors. The IAEA and the Government of Austria are in ronment. consultations to establish such a laboratory, possibly at a recently established modern facility in Vienna belonging to In July 2014, an architectural and engineering firm was the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety. contracted to develop with technical staff the conceptual designs for the new IPCL and the other laboratories, as Finally I would like to inform you that we will be starting well as to update the master plan for the Seibersdorf site. in 2015 a new Coordinated Research Project on “ Mosquito The conceptual design for the IPCL has been completed Handling, Transport, Release and Male Trapping Meth- and construction is estimated to cost 10.8 million Euro. It ods ”. The burden of mosquito transmitted diseases remains will house laboratory sub-groups dealing with plant pests, enormous; in fact, the incidence of dengue and other dis- livestock pests, human disease vectors and genet- eases has been growing dramatically around the world in ics/microbiology. The purpose of the conceptual designs is recent years, while vector control effectiveness has been to provide the basic layout and structure of the new build- decreasing as mosquitoes develop insecticide resistance. ings, and in doing so to provide a greater degree of certain- During a Mosquito Thematic Plan Meeting held in Vienna ty regarding costs of construction. in June 2014, experts identified the urgent need for innova- tive mosquito control methods, including exploring the po- Upon completion of the conceptual designs, the detailed tential of the SIT. The focus of this CRP is to develop architectural designs will be developed. These build further transport and aerial release methods for deploying millions on the conceptual designs and add greater detail by making of sterile male mosquitoes, and to assess new methods in more concrete decisions on smaller elements of the build- pilot sites to ensure the quality and the sexual capacity of ings. With these designs and cost estimates, a tender for the released males. The development and evaluation of af- construction can then be issued, and it is estimated that fordable and efficient trapping methods for male mosqui- construction can begin by mid-2015. toes are also of high importance for the assessment and In the recent IAEA General Conference, Member States success of mosquito suppression programmes. expressed strong support for the project and requested its As 2014 draws to a close, our best seasonal greetings on further development and implementation. They also in- behalf of all of us at the Subprogramme. We look forward cluded a specific request to prepare thematic packages that to another fruitful year and wish you a very successful separate the various elements of ReNuAL , into smaller 2015. components that will enable Member States to support spe- cific programmatic areas according to their own interests Jorge Hendrichs and priorities. Head, Insect Pest Control Section 3 Insect & Pest Control Newsletter, No. 84, January 2015 Insect Pest Control Subprogramme http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/ipc/index.html http://www.fao.org/ag/portal/age-index.html Insect Pest Control Section, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture P.O.