Objective
Approximately US$75 billion of global food is lost annually to pest organisms and of these, slugs are among the most important. Current slug control methods are either overtly toxic or only effective against certain species and hence there is a real need t o research alternative control strategies. One option is bio-control using Sciomyzidae (Diptera). The aim of this project is to test the efficacy of slug-killing sciomyzids in both Ireland and California as bio-control agents of these pests.
The advanced training phase will take place at University of Califonia, Riverside (UCR) where the biology (e.g. prey preference and predation rates) of slug-killing sciomyzids from California and Europe (research with non-native species will take place in quarantine facilities) will be investigated. Based on these investigations a sciomyzid species will be selected for preliminary release trials. Nine experimental and three control plots will be set up in greenhouses. Each experimental plot will contain target pest slugs, a food plant (e.g. lettuce), and three release ratios (one per block) will be used. Control plots will only contain slugs and food plant.
The amount of leaf damage and the number of dead slugs will de determined daily and agent efficacy established. A number of such trials will be carried out and recommendations on slug control will be provided. On return to the National University of Ireland, Galway, a similar project will be carried out using slugs and sciomyzids which are native to Ireland (no quarantine facilities at NUI,Galway). The experimental procedure will be as described above. Dissemination of results will be achieved through publications, at conferences and training students. This project will establish long term collaborative links between the ERA and the USA, improve EU scientific excellence, contribute to sustainable development within the EU and greatly help the researcher become a professionally mature, global expert in gastropod pest management.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology invasive species
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-6
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
OIF - Marie Curie actions-Outgoing International Fellowships
Coordinator
GALWAY
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.