Why the Fight Against Invasive Pests Matters — and Needs You
22 Apr 2025
They’re smaller than a paperclip, yet their impact is huge. The two invasive fruit fly species, Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera zonata, are advancing towards Europe, driven by climate change and global trade. This isn’t just a problem for farmers — it poses a threat to climate resilience, food security and economic stability. The EU-funded REACT project is exploring potential responses, ranging from cutting-edge genetic research on the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to broader considerations of cost, fairness, and sustainability. The latest video delves into these socio-economic issues and explains why SIT could be a game-changer.
Pests vs. People — And the Price of Doing Nothing
So, what does it actually cost to combat invasive pests? And what would be the cost if we didn’t? In this video, Dr Ana Larcher Carvalho, Dr Aruna Manrakhan and Dr Kandas Cloete explain how infestations can lead not only to crop losses, but also to trade barriers, job insecurity and community-level hardship in agricultural regions. The video explores real-world cases and asks: Can investing in sustainable pest control today save money — and ecosystems — tomorrow? The REACT team, who are working on the socio-economic dimension of SIT, are particularly interested in how tools such as SIT could reduce pesticide use and support the development of more resilient, eco-friendly farming systems.
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We Need Your Input — Take the Survey
Understanding the science is only half the story. To develop effective pest management strategies, it is also necessary to understand how stakeholders across Europe perceive the risks, challenges and potential solutions. That’s why REACT is conducting a Europe-wide survey on fruit fly invasions and sustainable pest control methods. Whether you’re a farmer, researcher, policymaker — your perspective matters.
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