Teagasc probes biological control of crop pest in Leinster and Munster

Researchers at Teagasc and University College Dublin are investigating the biological control of a new insect which has damaged crops in Munster and Leinster in recent years.

Since its accidental introduction into Ireland, the eucalyptus leaf beetle pest, paropsisterna selmani, has posed a significant threat to our commercial foliage, biomass and forestry industries.

This is the first paropsine leaf beetle to become established in Europe and it was initially discovered damaging foliage crops in Kerry in 2007.