To increase the reach and sustainability of funding, the IPM-Popillia Citizen Science App Toolkit can open up collaboration with other research or monitoring projects regarding controlled pest species or invasive species. First talks have been held with the REACT Horizon 2020 project about two invasive fruit fly species, and EASIN, the European Alien Species Information Network, the official European Commission JRC body for invasive species.
REACT - invasive species monitoring of fruit flies
For REACT, we are welcoming the project as the first official co-creation partner in IPM-Popillia. REACT aims to develop long-term environmentally friendly response strategies and novel sustainable tools to protect fruit and vegetable production and export capacities from two invasive insect pests of EU priority, Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera zonata. The Citizen Science App created in the IPM-Popillia project serves as a perfect hub for adding new invasive species and controlled pests to the observation categories, and with the extended features developed in IPM-Popillia like the Automated Reporting System, new project partners do not need to re-invent the wheel.
Collaborations will also be a key to better covering public engagement and adding new countries of dissemination by working together with projects, generating forms of exploitation for the IPM-Popillia and ensuring long-term stability even after the end of the project.
Do you run a monitoring project for invasive species or controlled pest species? Reach out to us to form more collaborations and to co-use the IPM App!