The Entomology Laboratory
The Entomology Group of the Plant Protection Department is engaged in research into the environmentally acceptable control of insect pests and other arthropods as part of integrated pest management. Our long-term goal is to contribute to increased self-sufficiency in Slovenia and the EU with high-quality and healthy food produced in sustainable agroecosystems.
We work in the field of diagnostics and professional research, which takes place at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, and we also co-operate with other professional research institutions.
Arthropod diagnostics:
- Morphological and molecular identification of insect pests and beneficial insects.
- We are partners in the consortium of the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for plant pests - insects and mites on agricultural and ornamental plants.
- Preparation and maintenance of a collection of reference materials and an entomological working collection.
Expert work:
- Professional support and advice (UVHVVR, growers, agricultural advisors, general public).
- Participation in the implementation of survey programmes to determine the presence of plant pests.
- Development of environmentally acceptable methods for the control of pest arthropods and new strategies for integrated pest management.
- Preparation of risk assessments and provision of expertise.
Research work:
- Research of plant - microbe - insect interactions.
- Development of new bioinsecticides based on protein toxins, RNA interference or entomopathogenic fungi.
- Inventarisation of beneficial microorganisms and macroorganisms.
- Conservation biological control (e.g. use of cover crops in agroecosystems).
- Ecology and biology of insects for innovative plant protection.
- Use of microorganisms or parasitoids for sustainable agriculture.
Members of the entomology group:
dr. Špela Modic, dr. Eva Praprotnik, Tina Cerar, Igor Nekrep, dr. Branislav Pešič, Primož Žigon, dr. Jaka Razinger