From Argentina to the World

FuEDEI studies and controls invasive species through biological control a sustainable, low-cost tool with global reach.

FuEDEI at a glance
0Scientific publications
last decade
0Biocontrol
projects
0Biocontrol agents
evaluated
0Collaborating
institutions
Global reach

Network of collaborators

Australia Bolivia Brazil Chile China Colombia Peru United States South Africa Argentina
FuEDEI base Collaborating countries Other

Collaborators

  • 🇺🇸United States
  • 🇦🇷Argentina (base)
  • 🇨🇴Colombia
  • 🇻🇪Venezuela
  • 🇧🇷Brazil
  • 🇪🇨Ecuador
  • 🇵🇪Peru
  • 🇧🇴Bolivia
  • 🇨🇱Chile
  • 🇵🇾Paraguay
  • 🇺🇾Uruguay
  • 🇿🇦South Africa
  • 🇨🇳China
  • 🇦🇺Australia
Our mission

What we do

Search for and study biological control agents against invasive species.

Send selected agents to the United States and cooperating countries.

Provide logistical support in South America to US and other researchers.

Liaise with local and foreign universities, research agencies, and government organisms.

By the numbers

Our research output

Publications by research area

Biological Control (42%)
Biogeography (15%)
Ecology (12%)
Taxonomy (11%)
Genetics (4%)
Other (16%)

New species described — by order

Hymenoptera
25
Diptera
15
Coleoptera
9
Hemiptera
7
Lepidoptera
5
Strepsiptera
1
Thysanoptera
1
Research

What do we research?

We research insects, nematodes, microbes, and plants from Argentina and the Neotropics, focusing on native South American species as agents against invasive pests and weeds worldwide.

Biological Control of Weeds & Pests

  • Studies on invasive weeds
  • Biology and host range of candidates
  • Identification of new spp. associated with weeds or pests
  • Evaluation of agent suitability and establishment
  • Classical biological control assessment
  • Economic impact of invasive weeds
  • Control of invasive ants, mealybugs, cactus moth and corn rootworms

Methodological and Management Aspects

  • Investigating plant-insect relationships
  • Ecological modeling and prediction
  • Public awareness and conservation
  • Policy and legislation

Taxonomy and Systematics

  • Description of new species
  • Molecular characterization and phylogeny

Insect Behavior and Physiology

  • Host-parasite / predator interactions
  • Responses to external factors
  • Environmental resistance and tolerance
  • Intraguild interactions and predation
  • Insect virology
Biological control side-benefits

Beyond the target species

0New species described22 ant viruses, 1 nematode parasitoid and 63 insects.
0Species redescriptions2 mites and 51 insects.
0Agent releasesAcross multiple target species and cooperating countries.
60+Years of researchEstablished 1962. Became FuEDEI in 2012.