This recovery is particularly good news for the control of insect pests in cacao agroforests, since predatory arthropods may prevent pest outbreaks.

Sometimes pest, sometimes pest controller "Animals such as birds, bats and insects, but also rodents, are important for cacao agroforestry," Justine Vansynghel explains.

Worldwide, cocoa farmers struggle against severe but geographically limited pest infestations. Ants, which form part of the complex network of life in cocoa farms, are often seen as pests.

Whatever its origin, the Brazilian cocoa plague is an example of how agricultural pests, especially fungi, have become increasingly mobile.

With 30% of global cocoa production lost through major pests and diseases, the centre's co-ordinator, Dr Andrew Daymond, said new varieties of cocoa needed to be "more resilient".

Venezuela cocoa trader Freddy Galindo has battled highway robberies, kidnappings of family members and declining quality in his 19 years exporting the nation's legendary beans. This year's harvest ...

In every production zone worldwide, cocoa trees are faced with pests and diseases that can wipe out entire harvests. To protect their crops, farmers often use costly, polluting chemicals or labour ...

Pest violations In Cocoa Beach: Gregory's Steak & Seafood Grill, 900 N. Atlantic Ave., was cited Oct. 27 with two pest violations among 18 total violations.

They found that birds and bats doubled cacao yield despite their suppression of arthropods that also eat pests. The results were recently published in the journal Ecological Applications. Birds and ...

A new study has found that some foods can lower your blood pressure as effectively as commonly prescribed medicines. Here's a list of what to eat to help combat the condition ...

Cacao prices have increased in the last year and some farmers find it too hard to manage the costs of controlling more pests on their coffee crops as temperatures get warmer.