Riyadh:The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plants Pests and Animal Diseases, known as the Weqaa Center, has launched seven reference atlases on plant health. This initiative is part of the National Transformation Program aimed at integrated pest management to bolster agricultural security and sustainable domestic production.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the newly launched atlases cover a range of topics including endemic and invasive plants, weeds in agricultural settings, and pests affecting various crops such as field crops, fodder, fruit trees, date palms, stored grain and seeds, and vegetables. Notably, the atlases on endemic and invasive plants and agricultural weeds are available in both Arabic and English.
The development of these atlases stems from a research and fieldwork project conducted from 2018 through the end of 2025. This project was designed to document pest biology, map pest distribution across Saudi Arabia's diverse environments, and compile a comprehensive national database to aid decision-makers in agricultural quarantine and integrated pest management.
These atlases provide scientific descriptions, illustrations, geographic distribution maps, and control methods. They also detail pest life stages and symptoms of infestation, serving as valuable resources for improving pest prevention, enhancing agricultural and food security, and sustaining domestic production.
