Centre for Biological Control - CBC

01/10/2026

Please support the 2026 Bots Colloquium: Sharing knowledge and ideas about the Makana Botanical Gardens this Saturday 3 October from 9am-1pm at Munch and Mingle (112 High St). ​Eden Hendricks will be contributing to the day!

30/09/2026

Some insights into Prosopis aka Neltuma aka Mesquite invasion and control. ShareScreen Africa

Neltuma species were introduced into South Africa from the Americas for the intended purposes of shade, fuel wood, timber, and pods as fodder for livestock. The intention was to have a shade tree producing pods for livestock feed at each watering point. Unfortunately, this was not the result. As part of our Invasive Species Management Series, supported by JRS Biodiversity Foundation, we will host a live event to discuss the history of Neltuma species and its management in South Africa, consider the negative effects of invasive Neltuma species, explore efforts to manage the plant and discuss future management approaches. Join us with the link below https://sharescreenafrica.org/events/management-of-parthenium-hysterophorus-neltuma-prosopis-76edd

29/09/2026

This workshop will explore the history of invasion, impacts and management of Neltuma species across Southern and Eastern Africa.

29/09/2026

And so the at dam starts to grow rapidly as spring temperatures rise, light levels in the water column increase, and seeds start to germinate.
With the resurgence of water hyacinth, common salvinia growth is in decline, most likely due to competition from water hyacinth. Over September, we have noted a rapid decline in common salvinia density from nearly 40% cover to just 5%, while water hyacinth is increasing steadily. The most recent satellite imagery indicates that water hyacinth and common salvinia are about 50:50. The mixed mat is approximately 215 hectares.
We have already released 80 thousand water hyacinth hoppers (Megamelus scutellaris) onto the mat to get their numbers up as early as possible. Feeding by the hoppers prevents the plants from flowering so no new seeds are produced. Remember, we are dealing with a legacy seedbank from decades of invasion on the dam.
And of course, this is part of an integrated management strategy for the dam. Magalies Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation are addressing upstream pollution, the ultimate reason for the persistent invasion by waterweeds on Harties.

28/09/2026

Hi everyone!

The Wits - University of the Witwatersrand is collaborating with University of Florida to study how people interpret common terms used in environmental management, and we'd love input from nature enthusiasts like you.

Your perspective would add something this kind of research often misses.

It will take 10-15 min, it is anonymous, University of the Witwatersrand [Ethics clearance number: H25/09/44], South African adults 18+.

Please take the survey here.

https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ziLPe5yqucz6gS

Thank you for your valuable time and input!
Please share widely on various groups and platforms.

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

10/09/2026

Tafara Frank Bute, a PHD candidate at the CBC is attending a workshop at Stellenbosch University: Microbes in Stellenbosch annual symposium and workshop, 7–11 September 2026. It is hosted by the SARChI in African Microbiome Innovation and the African Microbiome Project under Professor Thulani Makhalanyane. The workshop in Microbial ‘Omics is facilitated by a duo among anvio developers Iva Veseli and Florian Trigodet from Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, Oldenburg, Germany.
Anvio is a an open-source, community-driven analysis and visualisation platform for microbial ‘Omics

Enjoy the last two days Frank!

05/09/2026

Thank you for supporting our work!

27/08/2026

Our incredible team at the 13th Citrus Research Symposium this week at Ch*****ne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg. The symposium is a space where citrus research is shared to southern African growers and industry. Well done Team!!!

26/08/2026

Join us now for this webinar on one of the world's worst aquatic invasive plants ☘️

During this workshop, experts will explore the ecology, impact and management of Salvinia molesta.

18/08/2026

Dr Michael Jukes and Prof Sean Moore attended the 2026 International Congress on Invertebrate Pathology and Microbial Control in Den Bosch, the Netherlands earlier this month (2-6 August). They had the opportunity to share their research and interact with colleugues from all over the world! Society for Invertebrate Pathology