I’m currently out in the Kilombero valley in Tanzania carrying out research on the Yellow Sugarcane Aphid. his North American native causes no end of trouble for farmers out here, affecting crop yield and thus livelihoods.

The aim of my research out here is to evaluate the efficacy of biopesticides on this pest, with the hope that this may lead to more environmentally friendly pest control methods in the future. Alongside this, I’m investigating drivers of YSA populations to determine other suitable habitats, such that future pest management methods might target these areas.