On May 27, the PurPest project held an additional Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB) meeting to strengthen our outreach and grow the stakeholder network. A leadership change within the Czech Nursery Association was announced, with a new representative expected to actively join the next SAB meeting. Discussions focused on strategies to engage nurseries and National Plant Protection Organizations...

A new study, led by partners from Wageningen University and Agroscope, was recently published in Scientific Reports, entitled "Migration extent and potential economic impact of the fall armyworm in Europe". The study highlights serious economic threats to European agriculture posed by the invasive fall armyworm, which was first detected in Europe in 2023.

Using bioclimatic modelling...

From May 21^st to 25^th, PurPest was advertised at the Oeiras Valley Science Festival by members of INIAV. This vibrant event brought together researchers, families, schools, and science enthusiasts to explore innovations in science, sustainability, and technology.

At the PurPest stand, visitors of all ages engaged with hands-on demonstrations. Children enjoyed using microscopes and...

Adomas Malaiška, the PurPest partner from the innovative company Volatile AI, took part in the online event “Digital Solutions for Smart and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development,” organized by key national science and research institutions of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The event focused on how digital tools and Horizon Europe funding can drive innovation and sustainability in...

As part of International Day of Plant Health, the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA) in Lisbon hosted a seminar highlighting innovations in sustainable crop protection. Maria João Camacho, from INIAV, presented “Innovative Sensor Technologies for Sustainable Crop Protection – Advances in In-Field Nematode Detection” emphasizing the urgent need for early and accurate detection of...

The PurPest project held another active Stakeholder Advisory Board meeting on April 29 with our partners and collaborators. Despite power outages in Southern Europe, key discussions progressed on pest detection technologies, sensor tests, and expanding the global stakeholder network. Promising results were shared on the Sensor System Prototype, now improved with a heated...

Between March 10^th and 26^th, 2025, AIRMOTEC conducted tests at the University of Neuchâtel to evaluate the current Sensor System Prototype (SSP) for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by Fall Armyworm (FAW)-infested plants. The tests compared the existing SSP, which uses a standard Photon Ionization Device (PID), with a new approach incorporating a heated PID and a...

Image created by FORSAID.

The PurPest project is excited to announce its new collaboration with the FORSAID project, further strengthening our network of strategic partners. This partnership will focus on advancing sustainable agroforestry through technological innovation, contributing to higher standards in pest control. Additionally, PurPest continues to build strong ties with several key...

On March 12, 2025, Luís Bonifácio presented his research within the PurPest project at the GREEN-IT Plant Interaction Meeting in Portugal. His talk, The Development of innovative biotechnical control methods for agricultural and forest pests, explored Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, highlighting biotechnical solutions. Focusing on Pine Wilt Disease, a major threat to forestry, and...