Seahorses are considered fabled creatures by many; something that only exists in old mythical tales of the ocean. But these curious animals really exist – and they’re not the only members of the Syngnathidae family of fishes. Other syngnathids are pipefish, pygmy pipehorses and seadragons, and all are enchanting.

In an attempt to reduce the amount of chemical pesticides sprayed in the world, insect diseases, including fungi and viruses can be used as biopesticides. The CBC has been part of a team who recently released a biopesticide after many years of research and development. The CBC is very proud of our team who have accomplished this.

Keeping track of the world’s wildlife populations is fundamental to conservation efforts in the face of the continued deterioration of global biodiversity.

Megan Reid, a PhD candidate in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at Rhodes University, has won the prestigious Young Entomologists Essay Prize from the Entomological Society of South Africa (ESSA).

The Life of Nkosinathi Headman "Rubber" Ndzengu

At Rhodes University we are fortunate to have a myriad of beautiful and pristine ecosystems on our doorstep. This facilitates field-based learning activities, which are key components of many of our undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The ZOO302 (Marine Biology) course is no exception, with a day long field trip to the Kariega Estuary comprising the field component of this module.

Over the last decade, biological control has significantly reduced the negative impacts of invasive alien plants in the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.

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A tribute to Siya

One of the world’s most spectacular marine migrations is the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run. The so-called “greatest shoal on Earth” takes place during the southern hemisphere’s winter. It involves the movement of tens to hundreds of millions of sardines from the warm-temperate waters of South Africa’s south coast to the subtropical waters of the east coast, over a thousand kilometres away.

Rhodes University alumni continue flying the University flag higher and higher across the globe. They are a true embodiment of the University’s motto, “Where leaders learn” as they continue to show outstanding leadership qualities. One such alumnus is Professor Michael Bruton.

The Department of Zoology & Entomology announces with deep sadness the passing of Patrick Elliot Hulley, a universally respected and deeply valued colleague, who died peacefully in Port Elizabeth on 16 June from complications following a stroke.

A research team from Rhodes University and the Port Elizabeth Museum has discovered a new species and genus of snake, and have named them in honour of two reptile scientists (herpetologists) from the Eastern Cape.

Billions of tiny insects are currently responsible for rapidly destroying the hyacinth on the Hartbeespoort Dam and scientists are of the opinion that herbicides have not been sprayed on the dying water plants.

Rhodes University’s Centre for Biological Control (CBC) recently released biological control agents to combat two invasive cacti species in Namibia.

Grahamstown Science Café, which has been running once a month since March this year at Café Divine in New Street, consistently draws an assorted crowd of all ages.

Alien, invasive cacti have become a serious threat in many parts of Namibia and the Botanical Society of Namibia is seriously concerned about what damage these species that are so easily dispersed by birds and animals, can inflict on the environment.

The Department of Zoology and Entomology this year welcomed its first black female lecturer, Dr Nokubonga Mgqatsa.

More than 30 staff and students attend the ESSA/ZSSA Congress and the Annual Research Symposium on the Management of Biological Invasions in South Africa

RESEARCHERS yesterday released several small Brazilian bugs into the wild, marking the start of a campaign to halt the spread of an alien invasive plant infesting large areas of South Africa's north-east coast.

Next time you take a stroll along your favourite isolated beach, far from any city, take a moment to look down at the high tide mark.

This spring, 13 students from the Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture traveled to the Eastern Cape of South Africa for the first ever African Wildlife Ecology (AWE) course, a three-week intensive credit course introduced as part of the new Bioveterinary Science program.

The Entomological Society of Southern Africa and the Zoological Society of South Africa (ESSA/ZSSA) 2015 conference, hosted by Rhodes University, saw the coming together of the two largest societies for professional zoologists and entomologists in the country.

After more than 12 days of no sharks sightings in Gansbaai, two juvenile sharks were spotted by the Marine Dynamics team on Sunday 17 January.

Our cat species are rapidly becoming extinct. The rarer ones exist in fragile habitats which have almost disappeared while others interbreed with domestic moggies (or feral cats)

Zoo 301 students visit the Great Fish River Nature Reserve

The 2015 Zoology and Entomology honours class recently returned from their "team building" field trip into the Karoo

Grade 7's visit the Department of Zoology & Entomology

The Biological Control Research Group (BCRG) Mass Rearing Programme’s dynamic approach to the restoration of aquatic ecosystems

Congratulations to Professor Martin Hill who was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Senior Reseach Medal AND Community Engagement Award at the Science Faculty Graduation Ceremony on Saturday 12 April 2014.

Professor Adrian Craig has been awarded the 2014 Gill Memorial Medal by BirdLife South Africa.

The 2014 Duerden Lecture, in honour of our first head of department - James Duerden, was given by accomplished herpetologist, Graham Alexander from WITS University on 29 May.

Papers are invited to be presented at the 19th Congress of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa and the 37th Congress of the Zoological Society of Southern Africa in July 2015.

Congratulations are in order for Armand Kok (PhD), Megan Murison (MSc) and Ali Brassine (MSc) who were adjudged runners-up (joint in the case of Megan and Ali) in their respective categories at the recent Southern African Wildlife Management Association Symposium held in Port Elizabeth.

Phumuzile Nyoni's poster summarising some of her work for her MSc on leopards in central Zimbabwe was adjudged "best poster" at the recent 5th Annual Diamond Route Conference in Johannesburg (21-22 October 2015).

The department celebrated the achievements of its graduating students at a cocktail party on Friday 11 April 2014, prior to the science faculty graduation ceremony.

Well done to Sam Page (MSc) and Gareth Mann (PhD) who were adjudged to be the best student presenters in their respective categories at the recent Southern African Wildlife Management Association Symposium held in Skukuza, Kruger National Park.

At its recent bi-ennial conference in Tshipise, Limpopo, the Zoological Society of Southern Africa used the occasion to honour outstanding African zoologists.

The department celebrated the achievements of its graduating students at an afternoon function on Thursday last week (4 April 2013), prior to the science faculty graduation ceremony on Friday.

The 2013 Zoology and Entomology class recently visited the Nieu-Bethesda area in the Karoo as a team-building exercise and to learn more about the geology of the region.

AN EASTERN Cape scientist has unleashed an army to wage biological warfare. In a first for South Africa, Rhodes University's Dr lain Paterson yesterday loosed the pereskia stem-wilter bug to combat the invasive cactus pereskia.

IN A move that would give even the best sci-fi thriller a good run for its money, an Eastern Cape scientist unleashed an army of unlikely soldiers yesterday to wage biological warfare on a pesky enemy.

A SMALL Brazilian insect has been released at a pilot Nahoon Valley site to destroy an infestation of a pesky cactus devastating indigenous plants and trees in the city's suburbs.

'n Insek omtrent die grootte van 'n duimnael is op die oorlogspad.

Insects have different names not only in each of our 11 official languages, but within each of those languages depending on geographical location.

Researchers on Friday released several small Brazilian bugs into the wild, marking the start of a campaign to halt the spread of an alien invasive plant infesting large areas of South Africa's north-east coast.

The biological control agent to the invasive plant pereskia will be released into South Africa for the first time in a public release ceremony on 10 October 2014 at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

ONE of South Africa's "worst weeds" will soon meet its match and become the staple diet of an insect imported specifically to fight the alien plant.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has recently granted permission to release the pereskia stem-wilter

Rhodes University’s Professor Christopher McQuaid was one of the 22 researchers to be awarded an A rating at a ceremony held in Cape Town last week.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has awarded the Rhodes University’s research Chair in Marine Ecology Professor Christopher McQuaid an A rating. Prof McQuaid’s career which spans decades was recognised by peers as a leading scholar in his field and for the high quality and impact of his recent research output.

The South African Society for Systematic Biology has organised a conference with the theme “Biodiversity Matters” at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. This follows on from the United Nations' celebration of Biodiversity in 2010, an indication of the international importance of this subject.

This year’s 17th Entomology Society of Southern Africa Congress saw a Rhodes Professor, Martin Hill from the Department of Zoology and Entomology, elected as vice president of the Society.

A leading international scholar on marine ecosystems and Rhodes University’s research Chair in Marine Ecology, Professor Christopher McQuaid, has been honoured with the title of Distinguished Professor by Rhodes University.

Rhodes University’s Prof Christopher McQuaid has been awarded the prestigious Gilchrist Award for his “outstanding contribution to the enhancement of marine and coastal science in South Africa including the Southern Ocean”.

A leading international scholar on marine ecosystems and Rhodes University’s research Chair in Marine Ecology, Professor Christopher McQuaid, has been honoured with the title of Distinguished Professor by Rhodes University.

The South African Society for Systematic Biology has organised a conference with the theme “Biodiversity Matters” at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. This follows on from the United Nations' celebration of Biodiversity in 2010, an indication of the international importance of this subject.

Rhodes University’s Prof Christopher McQuaid has been awarded the prestigious Gilchrist Award for his “outstanding contribution to the enhancement of marine and coastal science in South Africa including the Southern Ocean”.

This year’s 17th Entomology Society of Southern Africa Congress saw a Rhodes Professor, Martin Hill from the Department of Zoology and Entomology, elected as vice president of the Society.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has awarded the Rhodes University’s research Chair in Marine Ecology Professor Christopher McQuaid an A rating. Prof McQuaid’s career which spans decades was recognised by peers as a leading scholar in his field and for the high quality and impact of his recent research output.

Thanks to almost twenty years experience in SAAMBRs three operating divisions, the official appointment of new CEO, Judy Mann was a seamless one.