Pioneering sustainable solutions through insect science for over five decades
In the tropics, insects represent both a perennial threat and a potential solution to human development. They destroy nearly half of all harvested food in storage, transmit deadly diseases to millions, and devastate livestock with tick-borne illnesses. Yet, within this paradox lies an extraordinary opportunity—what if we could harness insect science to alleviate poverty, ensure food security, and protect environmental health across Africa? 9
This vision has driven the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) for over five decades, pioneering sustainable solutions that are reshaping Africa's agricultural landscape while safeguarding its rich biodiversity.
Insects destroy nearly half of all harvested food in storage and transmit deadly diseases.
Harnessing insect science to alleviate poverty and ensure food security across Africa.
Icipe's unique approach to research and development is structured around what they term the "4-H Paradigm"—addressing the interconnected dimensions of Human, Animal, Plant, and Environmental Health 4 .
The Centre develops integrated management strategies for livestock pests like ticks and tsetse flies, incorporating biological control, botanicals, and behavior-modification techniques 4 .
Icipe creates integrated pest management systems for major agricultural and horticultural crops, emphasizing approaches that have no detrimental impact on the environment 4 .
The Centre focuses on conserving and utilizing Africa's rich insect biodiversity, recognizing that healthy ecosystems are more resilient to shocks 7 .
| Health Dimension | Key Challenges | ICIPE's Innovative Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Human | Vector-borne diseases, pesticide exposure | Eco-friendly vector control, biopesticide education |
| Animal | Tick and tsetse fly-borne diseases | Biological control, botanicals, behavior modification |
| Plant | Crop pests reducing yields | Integrated Pest Management, push-pull technology |
| Environmental | Biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation | Pollinator conservation, habitat preservation |
Among icipe's most celebrated achievements is the development and widespread adoption of the push-pull technology, an innovative farming system that addresses multiple agricultural constraints simultaneously 9 .
Planting drought-tolerant Desmodium between rows of maize or other staple crops. This plant emits chemical signals that repel (push away) stemborer moths, preventing them from laying eggs on the valuable crops.
Planting Napier grass as a border crop around the field. This grass emits semiochemicals that attract (pull in) stemborers, luring them away from the main crops.
The technology exemplifies ecological intensification, working with nature rather than against it to boost agricultural productivity. By 2030, icipe aims to extend push-pull technology to 1 million households in sub-Saharan Africa, potentially ending hunger and poverty for 10 million people 9 .
Projected adoption of push-pull technology by 2030
While push-pull manages pests through plant combinations, icipe has simultaneously pioneered another revolutionary approach: biopesticides derived from naturally occurring microorganisms.
Faced with the devastating impacts of synthetic pesticide overuse—including risks to human health, environmental damage, and pest resistance—the Centre has invested decades into developing effective, selective, and affordable alternatives 2 .
Maintains a repository of 485 arthropod pathogens, including entomopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, microsporidia, and nematodes 2 .
Researchers first identify virulent strains through systematic bioprospecting, using innovative bait methods like the Galleria mellonella larvae to find pathogens in the environment 2 .
Promising strains undergo intensive laboratory testing to determine their efficacy against specific pests, optimal dosage, and environmental requirements.
Scientists develop protocols for cost-effective mass production, often using liquid or solid-state fermentation techniques to produce sufficient quantities for field testing.
The fungal spores are combined with carriers, adjuvants, and other components to create stable, easy-to-apply formulations that maintain viability and effectiveness.
The formulated products are tested under real-world conditions to evaluate their performance against target pests and their impact on non-beneficial organisms.
Successful products undergo regulatory approval before being transferred to private sector partners for large-scale production and distribution.
| Product Basis | Target Pests | Commercial Partner | Adoption Growth (2015-2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M. anisopliae strain ICIPE 69 | Mealybugs, thrips, leafminers, fruit flies | Real IPM | 19,370 to 80,420 hectares |
| Other M. anisopliae strains | Various crop pests | Real IPM | Overall from 43,290 to 132,980 hectares |
| M. anisopliae strain ICIPE 7 | Fall armyworm (pending registration) | Real IPM | In development |
As climate change intensifies, icipe has expanded its focus to include helping communities adapt to evolving environmental conditions. The Adaptation for Food Security and Ecosystem Resilience in Africa (AFERIA) project, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, represents this commitment in action 1 .
This two-year initiative disseminates climate change adaptation technologies and knowledge to communities and professionals working in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot—a region particularly vulnerable to climate impacts.
The project focuses on mountain ecosystems in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, working through close partnerships with national and local organizations to ensure solutions reach those who need them most, especially women and special needs groups 1 .
Focus on vulnerable regions in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania
Working with national and local organizations
Demonstration sites and farmer field schools
Icipe's groundbreaking research relies on a diverse array of biological materials, laboratory protocols, and specialized equipment.
| Research Material | Type/Classification | Function in ICIPE's Research |
|---|---|---|
| Metarhizium anisopliae | Entomopathogenic fungus | Basis for multiple biopesticides; infects and kills insect pests while being safe for other organisms |
| Beauveria bassiana | Entomopathogenic fungus | Alternative biopesticide for specific pests; subject of ongoing research and development |
| Desmodium species | Leguminous forage plant | "Push" component in push-pull; repels pests, fixes nitrogen, suppresses weeds |
| Napier grass | Perennial forage grass | "Pull" component in push-pull; attracts pests away from crops, provides livestock fodder |
| Galleria mellonella | Insect larvae (Greater wax moth) | Living bait for bioprospecting entomopathogenic microorganisms from environmental samples |
| Semiochemicals | Behavior-modifying compounds | Disrupt pest mating and feeding patterns; used in lure-and-infect strategies |
| Entomopathogenic nematodes | Biological control agents | Target soil-dwelling pest stages; subject of expanding research focus |
For over five decades, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology has demonstrated that the smallest creatures often hold the keys to solving our biggest challenges. By deepening our understanding of insect ecology and behavior, icipe has developed transformative technologies that increase agricultural productivity, improve human and animal health, and protect environmental integrity—all while empowering communities across Africa.
From the push-pull fields that simultaneously boost yields and soil health, to the fungal spores that precisely target devastating pests without harming beneficial insects, icipe's solutions represent a new paradigm for agricultural development—one that works with ecological principles rather than against them.
As climate change introduces new uncertainties and pressures on food systems, the Centre's integrated, holistic approaches offer resilient pathways forward that don't force tradeoffs between human wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
The story of icipe is still being written, with new chapters emerging as the Centre expands into novel areas like plant endophytes, insect symbionts, and integrated system controlled environment agriculture 2 3 . Yet throughout this evolution, the commitment to icipe's founding vision remains unwavering: harnessing insect science to alleviate poverty, ensure food security, and improve health while preserving the natural resource base on which all life depends 9 .
In a world facing interconnected challenges of hunger, biodiversity loss, and climate change, this dedication—forged over decades—has never been more valuable or more necessary.
Pioneering sustainable solutions through insect science
Push-pull technology goal by 2030
In repository for biopesticide development