{"id":13992,"date":"2025-03-26T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/?p=13992"},"modified":"2025-06-24T11:07:07","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T11:07:07","slug":"innovation-in-entomology-laboratory-promises-to-help-study-and-manage-insects","status":"publish","type":"eventos","link":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/eventos\/inovacao-em-entomologia-laboratorio-promete-ajudar-no-estudo-e-na-gestao-de-insetos\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovation in Entomology: Laboratory promises to help study and manage insects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Elvas, in the heart of the Alentejo, is preparing to welcome a new entomology laboratory. This specialized facility will help improve our understanding of the world of insects, small giants that are vital to ecosystems. More than a scientific research center, this laboratory aims to develop innovative strategies for pest management and control and support more sustainable agricultural practices, fostering collaboration between researchers, farmers and companies in the region and beyond.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hadi Sheikhnejad, one of InnovPlantProtect's entomologists, shares his enthusiasm and vision for this project. \u201cThe entomology lab is a space where we can study, breed and exhibit insects, unlocking their secrets and applying that knowledge for the benefit of agriculture and the environment,\u201d explains Hadi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The installation of the laboratory, already underway since 2024, faces complex challenges, from finding funding to creating specialized infrastructures that simulate the insects\u201c natural habitats. \u201dEvery detail is crucial and meticulously planned,\u201c reveals Hadi. \u201dWe need to control the temperature, humidity and lighting to create an ideal environment and to ensure the well-being of the various species of insects that will reside here.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hadi Sheikhnejad, an entomologist at InnovPlantProtect, engaged in the observation and study of insects in the new entomology laboratory in Elvas, which is yet to be set up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what species will these be? The laboratory will house an impressive diversity of insects, from beneficial predators such as ladybugs and parasitoid wasps, responsible for natural pest control, to agricultural pest species such as leafhoppers, aphids and whiteflies, and decomposers, important for maintaining soil health, such as soldier flies. \u201cEach insect has a role to play in the balance of ecosystems,\u201d says the entomologist. \u201cBy studying them, we can develop more effective and sustainable pest control methods, reducing our dependence on synthetic pesticides.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology is a fundamental pillar of the laboratory. \u201cWe are integrating cutting-edge technologies such as image analysis using Artificial Intelligence (AI), automated traps and sensors and even climate-controlled breeding cameras,\u201d Hadi reveals. \u201cThese technologies allow us to monitor insect behaviour in real time, detect pests early and diagnose infestations accurately, revolutionizing the way we deal with pest management.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The laboratory will not be limited to research. It will offer consultancy services to farmers and companies that will include pest identification and, over time, the development of pest management strategies, the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM), training workshops on insect monitoring and access to auxiliary insects, which will act as biological pest control agents to help farmers control infestations naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking to the future, Hadi shares his vision for the laboratory: \u201cWe would like to be a reference laboratory for sustainable agriculture\u201d. \u201cBy sharing our knowledge and experience gained in the entomology lab, we can help promote more ecological and efficient agricultural practices,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Left photo: Hadi Sheikhnejad observing an insect under a magnifying glass, revealing essential details for entomological study, Right photo: Facilities of the new entomology laboratory in Elvas, a space dedicated to research, innovation and pest management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collaboration is another key aspect of this project. \u201cWe are open to partnerships with companies in the agricultural sector, research institutes, universities, other CoLABs and governmental or non-governmental organizations,\u201d says Hadi. \u201cWe believe that these collaborations are essential for driving innovation and finding sustainable insect-based solutions to agricultural and environmental challenges. Ultimately, we can shape a future where agriculture and nature coexist in harmony.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entomology laboratory in Elvas is a step towards a more sustainable future, where the small world of insects plays a fundamental role in building a healthier planet. In Elvas, innovation crawls, flies, jumps and reveals a promising future for entomology and pest management.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Elvas, no cora\u00e7\u00e3o do Alentejo, prepara-se para acolher um novo laborat\u00f3rio de entomologia. Esta instala\u00e7\u00e3o especializada ajudar\u00e1 a melhorar a nossa compreens\u00e3o do mundo dos insetos, pequenos gigantes, vitais para os ecossistemas. Mais do que um centro de investiga\u00e7\u00e3o cient\u00edfica, este laborat\u00f3rio ambiciona desenvolver estrat\u00e9gias inovadoras para a gest\u00e3o e controlo de pragas e apoiar […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15626,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","categories":[26,222],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13992","eventos","type-eventos","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-destaque"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/eventos\/13992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/eventos"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/eventos"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/eventos\/13992\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15629,"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/eventos\/13992\/revisions\/15629"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}