IAPPS NEWSLETTER

Number II      February, 2005

XX BRAZILIAN CONGRESS OF ENTOMOLOGY

September 5-10, 2004, the Entomological Society of Brazil promoted one of the most important scientific congresses in Latin America, the XX Brazilian Congress of Entomology. Approximately 1,700 pest management specialists participated in the scientific program, comprising of conferences, round table discussions and poster sessions. The opening session took place at the site of Gramado's (Rio Grande do Sul state) famous film festival on Sunday night: regional music and a cultural show were the major attractions. A patriotic exhibition of flags of the nations representing the participants, accompanied by a stunning fireworks display, welcomed participants from all over Brazil and from the 21 foreign countries.

The following morning, Walter Leal, an eminent Brazilian scientist now at UC Davis, USA with expertise in insect chemical communication, had the honor of opening the scientific activities. He gave his lecture to more than 1,200 persons, who appreciated his humorous and entertaining style. Next, Jorge Guimaraes, president of CAPES - one of the major research funding institutions in Brazil, discussed the politics of human resources development in Brazil. Thereafter, seven simultaneous sessions were conducted, with 209 invited speakers - 37 of which were from abroad - sharing their experience on diverse themes, ranging from molecular taxonomy to global IPM programs.

An encouraging aspect of this meeting was the participation of young scientists - 57 % of the participants were undergraduate and graduate students. These students were primarily responsible for the large number (1,782) of posters presented in daily 2 h-poster sessions. A number of recently published books were presented in the book launching session. I presented the book, "Rice-Feeding Insects and Selected Natural Enemies in West Africa" by Heinrichs and Barrrion, recently published (2004) by IRRI/WARDA. I also presented publicity information on the 2007 IPPC, Glasgow and encouraged all of the Latin American scientists to participate.
Other activities were a concourse of entomological photographs, and a technical tour to Bento Gonçalves, the main wine-producing region in Brazil. All activities occurred in a planned equilibrium between technical and social activities. According to Adalecio Kovaleski, chair of the XX Brazilian Congress of Entomology, the massive participation of students is a guarantee that in the near future, Brazilian Entomology will occupy an even more important place in the global scientific scenario.

I had the opportunity to participate in the first Congress in 1972 and was impressed with the phenomenal increase in the number of participants, and in the quality and relevance of the presentations and the overall sophistication of the XX Congress. I extend my congratulations to Adalecio Kovaleski, Chair and the organizing committee of the XX Congresso Brasiliero Entomologica for producing a scientifically effective and socially enjoyable Congress.

Dr. E. A. "Short" Heinrichs
Secretary General, IAPPS
Director, IPM CRSP
E-mail: ipm-dir@vt.edu

NEW BCPC TITLE FOR BIOCONTROL AGENTS

A new BCPC publication, The Manual of Biocontrol Agents, has been launched at the BCPC Book Shop stand at this year's BCPC Exhibition which was held during The BCPC Seminars - Crop Science & Technology 2004 at the SECC, Glasgow from 1 to 3 November. Worldwide, the benefits arising from the use of crop protection agents derived from natural sources continue to be recognized. Biocontrol agents are increasingly used on a large scale for the effective control of commercially important pests - invertebrates, weeds and pathogens.

"Biocontrol agents are becoming increasingly important as part of integrated pest management strategies in the agricultural industry. That is why The BioPesticide Manual published by the BCPC, has now been completely revised and renamed The Manual of Biocontrol Agents, which is more inclusive to the agents it describes," explains Joop C van Lenteren, Professor of Entomology, Wageningen University, the Netherlands, in the Foreword to this edition. "The biocontrol industry has noticeably matured and has designed scientifically sound quality control methods for its products. Also essential information on side-effects of pesticides on biocontrol agents is now easily available enabling biological and chemical control to be integrated. Growers are now, more than ever, convinced of biocontrol being a realistic option."

The array of biopesticide products is vast extending from living organisms to genes. This edition now contains comprehensive entries in four categories. These cover, 112 entries for micro-organisms, 56 entries for semiochemicals, 58 entries for natural products and 127 entries for macro-organisms. In addition there are 20 entries for genes which now appear in the Appendix. Although different in style, The Manual of Biocontrol Agents, edited by Dr Leonard G Copping, is complementary to The Pesticide Manual and where appropriate entries are cross-referenced.

Each entry contains extensive information including; nomenclature, source and production, mode of action, biological activity, target crops and pests, application, compatibility, product specifications, efficacy, products and tradenames, manufacturers, commercial suppliers, toxicity and environmental impact. There are also extensive sections on organic farming, a directory of biocontrol companies and a Latin/English glossary. Sample entries illustrating each of the biocontrol categories covered can be downloaded and reviewed by accessing The Manual of Biocontrol Agents section on the BCPC website at www.bcpc.org/bookshop.

"I expect that there will be a steady increase in the number of biocontrol agents which will be used in integrated pest and disease management programs, together with new, environmentally friendlier chemical pesticides. The production of this new edition of The Manual of Biocontrol Agents will certainly be of great assistance to all sectors that are involved in modern crop protection," concludes Prof van Lenteren. Copies of The Manual of Biocontrol Agents (ISBN 1 901396 35 5) priced £115, are available from:

BCPC Publications Sales,
7 Omni Business Centre,
Omega Park,
Alton, Hampshire GU34 2QD, UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1420 593 200 Fax: +44 (0) 1420 593 209.
E-mail: publications@bcpc.org,
or via secure server from the BCPC web site at www.bcpc.org/bookshop

The IAPPS Newsletter is published by the International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences and distributed in Crop Protection to members and other subscribers. Crop Protection, published by Elsevier, is the Official Journal of IAPPS. IAPPS Mission: to provide a global forum for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, integrating, and promoting plant protection concepts, technologies, and policies that are economically, environmentally, and socially acceptable. It seeks to provide a global umbrella for the plant protection sciences to facilitate and promote the application of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to a the world's crop and forest ecosystems. Membership Information: IAPPS has four classes of membership (individual, affiliate, associate, and corporate) which are described here. The IAPPS Newsletter welcomes news, letters, and other items of interest from individuals and organizations. Address correspondence and information to: Dr. Manuele Tamo, Editor IAPPS Newsletter Biological Control Center for Africa, IITA-Benin 08 B.P. 0932 Tri Postal, Cotonou, Republic of Benin E-mail: m.tamo@cgiar.org