Agrobio Advances 2026
Agrobio Advances 2026 welcomed more than 200 agricultural professionals to discover the latest innovations in biological control. During the event, Agrobío introduced ORIcontrol Cold-R, MEGAcontrol and COROLAcontrol, three new solutions designed to help growers manage emerging pests more effectively.
The strong attendance highlighted the growing concern around emerging pests and the need for effective new tools to tackle them. During the opening session, Ramón Gil, Director of the Cajamar Experimental Station Las Palmerillas, and Antonio Mena, Regional Delegate for Agriculture of the Andalusian Government in Almería, emphasized the innovative strength of the local agricultural sector and the importance of transferring scientific knowledge to growers.
Cold-R: the next generation of Orius for thrips control
The first major innovation presented at the event was ORIcontrol Cold-R, a new strain of Orius laevigatus developed by Agrobío in collaboration with Professor Pablo Bielza and his Agricultural Entomology team at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena.
Its main advantage is improved tolerance and adaptation to the conditions typically found during the early stages of crop development, when establishing an effective biological control strategy quickly is critical. In addition, it delivers greater vigor and excellent performance against thrips populations.
During the presentation, Enric Vila, Agrobío’s R&D Director, highlighted the importance of production systems as a driver of innovation. He explained how continuous improvements in Agrobío’s internal processes and rearing techniques make it possible to develop more efficient solutions tailored to the evolving challenges posed by agricultural pests.
Agrobio Advances against thrips challenges with MEGAcontrol
Another key moment of the event was the introduction of MEGAcontrol, based on the predatory thrips Franklinothrips megalops.
Estefanía Rodríguez, Senior Researcher at IFAPA La Mojonera, shared the results of studies conducted in collaboration with Agrobío to evaluate its effectiveness against one of the most concerning invasive pests in recent years: Thrips parvispinus.
Its high predation capacity, rapid pest detection, and excellent mobility on plant foliage make this natural enemy a valuable addition to biological control programs. Furthermore, it integrates seamlessly with other beneficial insects already used in integrated pest management strategies.
COROLAcontrol and biodiversity for aphid control
The third innovation introduced was COROLAcontrol (Eupeodes corollae), a new predatory hoverfly that expands Agrobío’s portfolio of aphid control solutions. Thanks to the exceptional voracity of its larvae, it is highly effective against a wide range of aphid species.
The presentation also explored how COROLAcontrol complements biological control programs based on parasitoids and other predators. Among them was APHIDOcontrol (Aphidoletes aphidimyza), whose production quality has reached even higher standards following recent improvements to Agrobío’s rearing systems.
This session also emphasized the growing importance of functional biodiversity in biological control. Greater biodiversity creates more resilient cropping systems, allowing growers to respond proactively and sustainably to aphid outbreaks.
Optimizing biological control strategies in the field
Ana B. Arévalo, Agrobío’s Director of Technical field development, focused on the practical application of these innovations. Through real crop scenarios and field examples, she demonstrated how ORIcontrol Cold-R and MEGAcontrol can be integrated into effective strategies against invasive thrips species.
As Ana explained, “The success of biological control does not depend solely on the beneficial organism used, but on how, when, and within which strategy it is introduced into the crop.” Her presentation highlighted the importance of combining knowledge, planning, and proper implementation to maximize the performance of these new solutions.
Looking Ahead: Agrobio continues to advance
The message of Agrobio Advances concluded was clear: the future of biological control lies in anticipation and preparedness. In this regard, Isabel Santorromán, Agrobío’s Business Director, emphasized that research, innovation, and the ability to respond to future challenges are essential to delivering sustainable and effective solutions for growers.
With the launch of ORIcontrol Cold-R, MEGAcontrol, and COROLAcontrol, Agrobío continues to expand its portfolio and strengthen an increasingly comprehensive approach to managing emerging pests. These three innovations share a common origin -research- and a common purpose: to help growers face future challenges with greater confidence, efficiency, and sustainability.
Tags: Agrobío innovation, aphid control, beneficial insects, biological control, Eupeodes corollae, Franklinothrips megalops, integrated pest management, Orius laevigatus, sustainable agriculture, thrips control