ESSA25 5-8 July 2027 · Mbombela

5-8 July 2027 University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela

25th Congress of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa

Tiny creatures as ecological engineers

Distinguished and emerging entomologists meet at the University of Mpumalanga in Mbombela, known as “the place of the rising sun”.

Register Key dates
What you are looking at. Ants foraging between their nest and the food around it. An ant that finds food walks home laying a pheromone trail, and others follow the strongest scent. No ant knows the way, yet the colony settles on short, busy trails. Click to put down more food. deposit + evaporate + follow
Congress
257 days to go
Next date
Early-bird registration and abstract submission open1 November 2026, in 11 days
Venue
University of MpumalangaMbombela Campus
Society
Entomological Society of Southern Africa

Welcome

Welcome to ESSA25

You are warmly invited to attend the 25th Congress of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa (ESSA25), which will be held at the University of Mpumalanga in the Lowveld region of Mbombela, known as “the place of the rising sun”. We look forward to hosting the globally renowned entomologists and their protégés from 5 to 8 July 2027.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 25th ESSA congress in Mbombela, where you will have the opportunity to interact with distinguished and emerging entomologists. We also hope that you will enjoy the scientific discussions and presentations in our state of the art facilities at the University of Mpumalanga.

We hope to see you in Mbombela for a scientifically enriching and memorable ESSA25 in 2027.

Dr Ludzula Mukwevho

Dr Ludzula Mukwevho

ESSA25 Chairperson

The ESSA25 badge: a map of Mpumalanga filled with maize, citrus and bushveld, with a mopane worm and the words tiny creatures as ecological engineers.
The ESSA25 badge. What it shows

Key dates

From the first call to the congress

Early-bird registration and abstract submission both open on 1 November 2026. Abstracts close on 28 February 2027 and registration on 30 April 2027.

All dates
  • 1 October 2026 First call for the congress
  • 1 November 2026 Early-bird registration and abstract submission open
  • 28 February 2027 Abstract submission closes
  • 31 March 2027 Abstract outcome sent to authors
  • 15 April 2027 Normal registration fees apply
  • 23 April 2027 Provisional programme available
  • 30 April 2027 Registration closes
  • 5-8 July 2027 Congress

The theme

Insects that shape farming in Mpumalanga

The insects on the ESSA25 badge show the challenges farmers face with maize and citrus in the province, and the value of the mopane worm to food security.

About the badge

  • Maize

    Lepidopteran pests of economic importance in maize.

  • Citrus

    Fruit fly and false codling moth, internal feeders of phytosanitary importance on citrus.

  • Mopane worm

    Gonimbrasia belina, the emperor moth, a source of protein and food security.

  • Mpumalanga

    The province where maize and citrus are predominant, and the home of ESSA25.

Red-brick and glass buildings on the University of Mpumalanga campus, with a colourful mosaic wall and palm trees.

Venue

University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela Campus

The Mbombela region is a vibrant tourism destination known for its natural beauty and diverse ecology. It offers attractions such as the Kruger National Park, where visitors experience wildlife and conservation work first hand, and the Lowveld Botanical Garden, which preserves indigenous plant species in a tranquil setting.

  • The Kruger National Park
  • The Lowveld Botanical Garden
  • Hiking, birdwatching and eco-tourism
  • A warm climate and lush vegetation
Venue and Mbombela Travel and visas

Call for abstracts

Abstracts open on 1 November 2026

Submission closes on 28 February 2027, and authors hear the outcome by 31 March 2027, before normal registration fees apply on 15 April 2027.

The guidelines for abstracts and the submission link will be published here when submission opens.

Registration opens 1 November 2026

Hear when registration opens

Leave your email address and we will let you know the day registration and the fees go live. One registration covers the full congress, 5-8 July 2027.

One email when registration opens. Nothing else, and we never share your address.