BiCEP: Australia’s key role in providing biocontrol solutions for global Australian-origin eucalypt pests

Australian-origin insect pests threaten the productivity and sustainability of eucalypt plantations worldwide. New pests such as the bronze bug (Thaumastocoris peregrinus), two gall wasps (Leptocybe invasa and Ophelimus maskelli) and the lerp psyllid (Glycaspis brimblecombei) have emerged as key global pests, while longer-established pests such as the eucalyptus snout beetle (Gonipterus spp. complex) are re-emerging as signifi cant issues. The speed at which these pests have emerged, invaded, andspread globally has taxed industry’s ability to manage them effectively. Global issues such as these require global solutions. The Biological Control of Eucalypt Pest Research Alliance (BiCEP) has been established in Australia to provide a focus for developing biological control solutions for key eucalypt pests. BiCEP is funded by eucalypt plantation industry partners and delivers the research and development required to underpin effective biological control of pests in three categories of need: discovery (peststhat do not have known effective biocontrol agents), application (pests with known but not yet established or evaluated biocontrol agents), and fi ne-tuning (pests that have established biocontrol agents but which require better climate/host matching). BiCEP is funded pro rata on area of partner’s plantations. Examples of research in these categories will be outlined