From ants to laboratories

In 1954, the film Marabunta depicted the overwhelming force of ants, reflecting the respect and fear they inspire. Decades later, that same fascination led to the creation of the Plant-Insect Interactions (IPI) Department at ceprobi, where scientific curiosity, collaboration, and resilience have fueled four decades of innovation in agroecological pest management. This is the story of how a team of biologists, guided by visionary mentors, transformed challenges into opportunities and built a research powerhouse in entomology.

It all started with an impromptu call. In 1984, Dr. Manuel Castañeda, then director of ceprobi, assigned Dr. Mario Camino the task of studying papaya pests. To tackle the project, he sought biologists passionate about insects. Professor Lucila Aldana recalls how a loudspeaker announcement in Yautepec prompted her to take an entrance exam in Mexico City with almost no prior notice: “It was a race against time, but the position was for biologists, so I went for it.” Alongside her, biologists María Candelaria, María Elena (Las Marías), and Dr. Federico Castrejón, who joined thanks to a chance encounter with ceprobi neighbors, formed the department’s foundation.

Mario Camino not only led research but also encouraged students to think beyond their studies: “He guided us in our theses, but he also kept saying: ‘Pursue a graduate degree; the country needs you,’” recalls a former student. In 1993, under the leadership of Dr. Gloria Dávila, IPI secured funding to establish a phytosanitary laboratory. Dr. Norma Robledo, hired to operate chemical ecology equipment, remembers: “We adapted facilities, wrote manuals, and gradually shifted toward research. Without those initial resources, the department wouldn’t exist today.” This lab did more than analyze pests; it became a hub for theses and publications.

The decade ended on a somber note with the passing of Mario Camino in 2000, just before the first class of the master’s program he helped establish graduated. Yet, his legacy endured.

The 1990s and 2000s marked a phase of “educational migration.” Under Dr. René Arzúffi’s leadership (who joined in 1995), IPI researchers trained in New Zealand, the College of Postgraduates, and other institutions. “René always told us: ‘Knowledge is meant to be shared, but first, you have to earn it,’” a colleague recalls. This period shaped a highly skilled team with master’s and doctoral degrees, enabling them to design their own graduate programs.

In 2007, the mape Master’s program brought a significant shift by integrating agroecology with pest management. However, the deaths of René Arzúffi and Dr. Roberto Montes in 2017 tested the team’s resilience: “Only five professors remained... we had to reinvent ourselves,” admits a faculty member. Despite this, they maintained their programs in the National Graduate Program of Quality.

Today, IPI continues to train professionals committed to sustainable methods. “We want young people to see agroecology not just as science, but as a commitment to the planet,” says a researcher. With modern laboratories and a close-knit academic community, the department looks toward the future without forgetting its roots—ants, mentors, and that unexpected loudspeaker announcement that started it all. The story of IPI is a testament to how a scientific team is built: through unexpected calls, mentors who see potential where others see obstacles, and the belief that even the smallest ants teach invaluable lessons. As Mario Camino once said: “Science is not a luxury; it is a collective urgency.”

For more information visit, Conversus: The power of plants