Investigating scale and mealybug control in Australian viticulture

We’re looking for a student with strong computer literacy and an interest in entomology, as well as hands on experience conducting research in genetics and bioinformatics. Skills and experience in whole organism biology or ecology would also be beneficial. This project is open to either domestic or international students.

About the project

Scale and mealybugs are significant pests in viticulture. These pests feed by sucking sap from grapevines, leading to significant economic loss. They promote the formation of sooty mould and act as key vectors for virus transmission between vines. Despite the availability of some biological and chemical control methods, these options are often very limited or non-selective. A better understanding of the biology and ecology of scale insects will improve our ability to manage these significant pests and reduce their impact on Australia’s wine industry. 

Aim: Using an integrative approach this project will address key knowledge gaps in our understanding of scale and mealybug biology and ecology in the context of viticulture. The PhD will combine methods from ecology and whole organism biology with cutting edge techniques in genomics and recent technological advances in biodiversity monitoring to gain a comprehensive understanding of scale population dynamics, population genetics and potential new biological controls.

Importantly, the project will improve understanding of residual reservoirs and mobility of scale and mealy bug populations – knowledge that is needed to help avoid rapid re-infection of vineyards.

Approach: The successful PhD candidate will undertake the following tasks: 

1. Conduct studies on the biology and ecology of Scale insect in the field and/or in the lab to determine how life-histories vary with the spatial and temporal environment.
2. Develop robust and simple to use diagnostic tools for species identification.
3. Use cutting edge genomic methods to study metapopulation dynamics of Scale insects. With the aim of investigating connectedness of populations, sources and sinks, characterising spatial and temporal variability, and assessing how Scale insects move throughout the landscape to determine over what spatial scale management should occur
4. Use new technologies employing genomic sequencing, imaging and machine learning to monitor natural enemies of Scale insect in vineyards and inform integrated pest management options for biocontrol. What potential natural enemies are present, when and how do their numbers correlate with Scale populations and management practices

Location

You’ll be based in the vibrant city of Adelaide at the Australian Wine Research Institute. You will be enrolled at The Australian National University as an off-campus student, and we’ll pay for your travel to the university to meet with your supervisor and fellow students.

As a student in the Training Centre, we’ll cover your travel to Centre Forums, Training Retreats, and conferences. This will include networking with like-minded people by the beach in tropical North Queensland, in the bush outside Canberra, and in capital cities around Australia.

How to apply

Submit an expression of interest from by 22 January 2025 on our website: https://plantbiosecuritycentre.edu.au/investigating-scale-and-mealybug-control-in-australian-viticulture/