Belize Joins Global Fight Against Pine Bark Beetle in Major WVSU-led Workshop

The pine bark beetle, a tiny but relentless invader, is wreaking havoc on forests and threatening global food security. As this insidious pest spreads its destruction across continents, urgent action is needed to halt its advance and protect vital ecosystems.

West Virginia State University (WVSU) has stepped up to meet this challenge with a new initiative aimed at combating the beetle’s threat. Led by Dr. Ayesha Sarker, assistant research professor of food science, the 1890 Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense launched a project titled “A Collaborative Network for Monitoring Emerging Plant and Animal Diseases for Food Security.”

This summer, WVSU hosted a critical workshop in Belize, “Addressing New and Emerging Pests and Diseases: The Case of Pine Bark Beetle in Belize,” in collaboration with the University of Belize and the Forestry Department. The event, held at the Central Farm, brought together experts, students, and stakeholders to discuss beetle identification and integrated pest management strategies.

Dr. Sarker highlighted the workshop’s impact, stating, “The workshop focused on potential technical support from regional partners in specialized areas such as pine bark beetle identification training and IPM control measures.” The initiative aims to strengthen international partnerships and improve monitoring and data collection to effectively tackle this global pest threat.