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02/11/2026

Recently, a collection of recorded sightings of the Bogong Moth (𝘈𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘢) in Australia suggested that the endangered species may be experiencing a boom in population numbers.

While the information comes from citizen backed sightings, and the local ecologist review is still pending, the number of sightings increasing significantly over the last year suggests that their populations may be on the rise. The numbers point towards a boon for the ailing population, which in turn means an improvement in pollination for the flowers that depend on them.

It's a positive sign. The species had been considered to be in trouble after a population crash from 2017 to 2019, likely related to the drought Australia underwent during this period. Alongside this factor, the longer-term decline has been linked to pesticide use and light pollution, impacting the moth's life cycle.

An unfortunately common effect of heavy pesticide use is harm to species that ecosystems rely on. Often including pollinators and the species that would otherwise prey upon pests that pesticides target.

You can read more about the Bogong Moths' population increase here: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/oct/23/the-great-moth-revival-how-bogongs-have-bounced-back

29/10/2026

Pesticides use a 'scattershot' approach to tackling pest species, whereas pheromone systems can be finely tuned to target specific problem species.

Instead of expensive and inefficient pesticide sprays, pheromones provide an effective way to tackle these real threats to food security. While being able to specifically target individual species instead of a broad spectrum. Balancing the preservation of useful species and nature with protecting crops.

Not to mention, using pheromones instead of pesticides means protecting wild birds and other animals from unintended exposure to toxic chemicals up the food chain.

27/10/2026

In many cases, we have seen insect populations decline across the UK, with many species that were once widespread becoming rarer sights. An estimated 41% are under threat of extinction.

Still, there is some hope with changes to agricultural practices and recovery projects underway. This year saw a number of species out in record numbers, higher than in prior years - 2023/24 - with a boom in butterfly numbers along with sightings of other species.

The extended period of warm weather played a significant part in this, allowing insects more time to reproduce. Still, if we want to seriously tackle the decline in UK insect populations and our wider ecosystem of wildlife, we must address the rising use of pesticides in farming.

While the UN outlined a plan to cut pesticide use by 2030, we have in fact seen a rise in the use of these chemicals. The consequences of this have been declines in non-pest species such as bees, hoverflies, moths and beetles.

Further still, bird populations have been harmed by the heavy use of pesticides, with owls and other bird species that seek out insects as a food source suffering population declines. This is due in part to the reduction of necessary insect populations and in part to pesticides making it into the systems of these birds.

Alternatives such as pheromone-led solutions are necessary to combat this decline and help protect UK wildlife while maintaining the agriculture we rely on. Without change, we could see the UK's ecosystem become far more barren and lose species not seen anywhere else in the world.

24/10/2026

Successive use of pesticides to protect crops has led to an increasing rate of resistance emerging in populations.

Ultimately, widespread pesticide use increases the rate at which pest populations develop resistance. Because insects can reproduce so quickly, some will survive initial pesticide exposure and reproduce. This leads to generations developing resistance over time, as non-resistant individuals are removed from the population.

The outcome to this practice in mass is pest species that can survive even harsh pesticide coats. This leads to heavier use and damage to the plants the pesticides are meant to protect. A vicious cycle that continues to move towards the day that pesticides are too inefficient to use.

Pheromone based pest management systems present an alternative. Instead of tackling pests from the outside, these systems make use of the pest species' natural biology. They hijack the system that helps them navigate. Thereby reducing the issue of resistance, as these species cannot easily develop resistance that allows them to navigate by pheromones while also avoiding the artificially introduced substances.

23/10/2026

As part of the recent arrivals moving further north through the Midlands, the Wasp Spider has been for the first time around Chester Zoo.

A conservationist from the zoo spotted the far-travelling spider just last month, which makes it the first time the species has been seen in the North West. Previously, the spider had only been seen in the south of England, but the recent summer heat that baked the UK seems to have pushed the species further towards the north of England.

This type of migration has been seen in a variety of species this year, with others recognised for the first time in the UK. Species native to southern France and other parts of Europe have since made arrivals in the UK, likely in part due to the outbreak of wildfires and the increasing temperatures in their normal habitats.

What is certain is that ongoing changes to the climate system will drive many species to migrate to other parts of the world. This will mean we need to adapt our current systems to account for these species appearing outside their traditional regions.

Read more about the wasp spider's recent movement here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqx2z336jwgwo

22/10/2026

Today marks the last day of the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting.

Hosted in Basel, Switzerland, the event has seen hundreds of delegates and experts join together to discuss the future of biocontrol internationally.

It has been a fantastic opportunity to meet with others and network across 800 companies in attendance. Developing market opportunities, sharing innovations and industry insights. All of which will shape biocontrol's future in our societies.

With the last day focusing on policy and implementation, we hope to make the most of the time left to continue our networking and shared discussions.

If you haven't had the opportunity yet, come find our team today in attendance and let us get into the recent developments here with the Pest Research Hub.

21/10/2026

Our team is currently attending the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting in Basel, Switzerland!

The event sees industry leaders, experts and thousands of other delegates from over 65 countries gather at the Congress Centre in Basel. All together to hold talks that will shape market opportunities, unveil new innovations and determine the future of biocontrol's role in the wider industry.

Since 2006, ABIM has been the focal point for biocontrol decision-making and planning, marking it as a key event in how this part of the industry has played out over the decades.

Our team has joined the delegates this year to network and share opportunities with the hundreds in attendance. Helping shape the future of biocontrol and pest management is always a key part of our work.

If you are in attendance, we hope to speak with you and connect our businesses and experts so we can better navigate the future of developing and deploying innovative solutions.

19/10/2026

When it comes to pests, pesticides are often the default go-to. However, this leads to harming useful pest species such as bees or other pollinators while damaging plant health.

In many cases, pesticides can damage the defences of crops or plants being raised. This weakens plants' natural ability to resist not only pests but also the diseases they carry. This can leave crops compromised by the very thing meant to protect them.

Despite aims to reduce pesticide use, their use has increased heavily and is a leading cause in decimating insect populations and other wildlife.

That is why pheromone-based pest measures are an effective alternative. Not only do they avoid poisoning other species, which can even include owls that nest nearby, but they also avoid damaging the plant's natural ability to defend itself. Thereby leading to better outcomes, as the specific pest species can be targeted while leaving useful insects to continue to support plant health.

16/10/2026

With Autumn rolling across the UK and winter soon to follow, we thought it would be good to take a moment and look back at some of the wildlife captured this year.

From beetles to butterflies, this year has seen quite a rise in insect populations around the UK. With the heat and extended periods of warmth, these populations were able to remain active for longer and reproduce more often. Potentially leading to an increase next year as well.

It remains to be seen how the trends of insect migration and population increases play out, as we have also seen species shrink at the same time. If you have any of your own images, we would love to see them here in the comments as well and share them in the future for others to see.

14/10/2026

Insect pests can damage crops, a reality of any agriculture we practice; however, pesticides can seriously affect farming's effectiveness worldwide.

Pesticides offer a straightforward option that is nonetheless imprecise when applied. Often requiring multiple expensive coats to successfully destroy a pest population while also decimating local wildlife.

Species of beetles, ladybirds, and hoverflies may be eliminated. Each of which is a common predator of crop-destroying pests such as aphids. By eliminating them, the natural regulation of a pest population collapses and leaves crops vulnerable.

At the same time, survivors in the pest species may continue and present as resistant in the future. Meaning continued use of pesticides will produce pests that can survive the sprays and harm the crops weakened by the coating.

Pheromone-led pest management is the answer to this issue. Using insect-specific pheromones to target limited populations over a set period allows the removal of pests without damaging the beneficial species that support crops and plant growth.

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