39th Meeting of the Working Group "Beneficial arthropods and entomopathogen­ic nematodes"

From November 29 to 30, 2023, the 39th annual meeting of the Working Group on Beneficial Arthropods and Entomopathogenic Nematodes of the German Phytomedical Society (DPG) and the German Society for Applied and General Entomology (DGaaE) took place at the Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia (Cologne-Auweiler). Over 40 experts from the fields of beneficial arthropods, insect breeding and plant protection from various institutions (members of the DPG, DGaaE, beneficial insect producers, plant protection services, researchers at universities and authorities) took part. In addition to 18 versatile presentations and three poster contributions, the election of a new chair of the working group was an important item on the meeting's agenda. From the Chair of Forest Protection Anna Lawall and Elisabeth Spann participated with presentations on the possibilities of biological regulation of bark beetles by parasitoids. There was also a lively discussion on the possible effects and risks of the mass propagation and application of beneficial insects and the cost-effectiveness of using antagonists for pest control.

We would like to express our sincere thanks for the highly professional event and the interesting contributions of all participants!