Exotic moth borers – Conservation biocontrol

We’re looking for a student with a strong background in insect taxonomy, ecology and pest management or plant biosecurity is preferred. Experience with data analysis. The selected student must be willing to travel overseas to SE Asia and the Pacific regions and around Queensland and work in tropical field conditions. International and domestic applicants are encouraged to apply.

About the project

Conservation Biological Control (CBC) involves the promotion and management of native natural enemy populations, such as predators and parasitoids, to control pest species, with the goal of reducing the use of pesticides in natural and agricultural systems. Populations of natural enemies can be increased by the provision of suitable habitat with plant-based food resources (pollen, nectar, extrafloral nectaries etc.) or alternative hosts for both pests and natural enemies (source or sink, host ranges and overwintering sites).

Moth borers are major pests of sugarcane in many sugar producing countries that are difficult to control and cause substantial damage to crops through reduction in both biomass and sugar content. Although Australia only has one endemic moth borer species affecting sugarcane, a further 37 species occur in neighbouring cane growing countries. Moreover, the moth borer complex has been reported to cause up to 70% yield loss in sugarcane growing regions of countries neighbouring Australia like Indonesia and PNG and have been identified as a high priority biosecurity threat for the Australian sugarcane industry.

In the case of exotic moth borers, chemical insecticides would only provide short term rapid management as part of an early incursion plan, but it leaves a long-lasting problem including the potential for pest resurgence, insecticide resistance, detrimental environmental impacts on wildlife, natural enemies, waterways, and health of growers. Therefore, this project is focused on CBC based Integrated Pest Management, which is a sustainable management approach that includes conservation and enhancement of existing native natural enemies in local habitats. CBC-based IPM of sugarcane will ultimately reduce the use of broad-spectrum insecticides resulting in more balanced natural ecosystem with functional natural enemies. This is an economically feasible, environmentally friendly sustainable post-incursion management approach which will provide safe hub for natural enemies of moth borers and other pest insects.

Aim: This project aims to develop pest management strategies of exotic moth borers through conservation biological control.

Approach:  Under the guidance of the supervisory team, the majority of the work will be performed by the PhD student including experimental design and setup, field surveys, trap instalments and monitoring and related lab and field activities, data collection and statistical analysis, manuscript writing and presentation in industry meetings, field days and industry and international conferences.

The PhD student will be working together with James Cook University and industry partners like Sugar Research Australia within the framework of the ARC Training Centre for Plant Biosecurity. The student is expected to be primarily based in an SRA field station (in close proximity to the University) where they will be able to conduct pilot studies on native natural enemies’ habitats and monitoring in sugarcane fields.

The student will be engaged in laboratory work if and as needed according to the requirement of the project framework. The format of the project is flexible and will be tailored to optimise the output for both the student and partners of the project.

Location

You will primarily be based at a Sugar Research Australia field station in Queensland and enrolled at the James Cook University. The university and field station are in close proximity, allowing you to mix university-based research and pilot studies.

How to apply

Complete the expression of interest form on our website by 22 January 2025: https://plantbiosecuritycentre.edu.au/exotic-moth-borers-conservation-biocontrol/