Environment: Men and insects, a new alliance for sustainability

Insects can turn from a serious threat to man and agriculture into valuable allies thanks to innovative methods developed by scientific research as the latest issue of the ENEA Journal reports

Insects can turn from a serious threat to man and agriculture into valuable allies, thanks to innovative methods developed by scientific research, contributing to decrease the use of chemicals toxic to health and the environment.

Success cases such as the integrated control of the olive fruit fly, introduced in the Canino area (Viterbo, in central Italy) in the 80’s, are proof of that. The technique used has allowed to reduce the use of pesticides by 60%, entailing savings of over 1.8 million euro on the use of chemical treatments, without affecting crop production, as reported in the study “Men and insects. From the extermination approach to an alliance for sustainability” published in the latest issue of the ENEA Journal “Energy, the Environment and Innovation”, presented in Rome by the President of ENEA Federico Testa.

This special issue, supervised by Andrea Sonnino of the ENEA Department “Sustainability of  productive and territorial systems”,  is the result of a collaboration among the most authoritative organizations in the sector –FAO, CNR, CREA, University- and it features interventions by representatives of Institutions such as the Councilor for Agriculture of the Lazio region Carlo Hausmann, the world of research, the PA, agricultural production and international cooperation, who took stock of the most environmentally friendly approaches, consistent with the European Directives.

“Increasingly sustainable cultivations protecting the environment and public health– Sonnino explained – require that the know-how developed by scientific research integrates with the knowledge acquired on the field by farmers and agricultural technicians. Hence the importance of deepening the understanding of the biology, the behavior and the genetic variability of insects, both of those considered beneficial and those considered harmful”.

“It’s an innovative approach based on defending cultivations from harmful insects – Sonnino added- without hindering the beneficial effects like pollination of wild and cultivated plants, degradation of soil organic matter and the fight to pathogens and parasites.

“The technologies developed by research centers –Hausmann pointed out – shall be supported by political and organizational measures favoring their application, such as the European Partnerships for Innovation and the Rural Development Program. The concept of sustainability today is not only linked to environmental protection, but also to a careful economic analysis allowing significant savings if well managed”.

“The usefulness of bees as pollinators in the horticultural system – Hausmann went on – is an example among many. At the same time, we can consider the great importance of insects competitors for the biological fight that our region has already largely used, for instance in the fight against  the chestnut Cinipide or the success cases in the fight against Ceratitis capitata, the fruit fly, and Dacusolae, the olive fruit fly.

“Sustainability is therefore a far-reaching concept, and in order to meet the goals set requires a considerable cultural change among entrepreneurs. That’s why I believe it’s more effective to convey to enterprises successful, cost-effective and easy to use models rather than a generic technical update. Following examples already implemented could guarantee striking results in a short time”, Hausmann concluded.

For more information please contact: Andrea Sonnino, ENEA – Division of Biotechnologies and Agro-industry (Department of Sustainability of  Productive and Territorial systems), andrea.sonnino@enea.it

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