Entomology
SARDI's entomology program specialises in invertebrates, with research in taxonomy, applied ecology, and molecular biology.
This research applies to the productivity of agricultural crops for:
- broadacre farming
- horticulture
- forestry.
Our long-term goal of working with industry and the community will improve the sustainability of farm, orchard, forestry and urban landscapes.
Research areas
This program supports product safety, market access and the maintenance of sustainable agro-ecosystems. We offer:
- diagnostic services, including fruit fly diagnostics
- integrated pest management (IPM) using observations and thresholds
- biosecurity surveillance and response for fruit fly, locusts, and other exotic incursions
- insecticide resistance testing and management
- biological control of invertebrates and weeds
- expertise in horticultural market access
- technical expertise to Biosecurity SA.
Our molecular approaches provide novel surveillance tools for producers and biosecurity managers. We use:
- natural ecosystem services
- biological control
- biotechnology
- postharvest technologies
- pesticide resistance strategies
- pest management technologies.
Entomology has 4 subprograms.
Fruit fly
Fruit fly
SA remains the only Australian mainland state that is fruit fly free.
We work with PIRSA biosecurity to improve monitoring and eradication efficacy within SA. This applies to both:
- Mediterranean fruit fly
- Queensland fruit fly.
We are a major partner in the national SITplus program, developing tools to monitor and control Queensland fruit fly. This includes developing:
- female lures for monitoring and baiting
- a complete understanding of their behaviour and new strains
- improved rearing technologies for sterile release programs.
Learn more about fruit fly in South Australia.
Snail and slug pests of grain crops
Snail and slug pests of grain crops
Pest snails and slug infestations in Australian grain crops cause:
- major crop losses
- harvest costs
- market access threats.
Our research increases profitability of the grain industry's field chemical and cultural control program. We provide them with improved:
- baiting recommendations
- novel controls
- decision tools.
Grains integrated pest management
Grains integrated pest management
Our research profile for grains includes research on:
- diamondback moth (DBM)
- Russian wheat aphid
- khapra beetle
- general diagnostics.
We provide grain growers with regular PestFacts bulletins – a free newsletter and diagnostic service to producers in South Australia and western Victoria. This is conducted through ‘IPM for Grains’ and run by the National Pest Information Network (NIPN).
The Entomology Grains IPM program also provides online tools for farmers, including the:
- Etiella degree day model
- Russian wheat aphid action threshold tool.
Biosecurity surveillance
Biosecurity surveillance
We work closely with state and commonwealth biosecurity groups to protect South Australia’s agricultural and agribusiness sectors.
We provide industry with tools and additional capabilities in:
- early pest detection
- accurate identification of pests.
Our work focuses on morphological differences, with molecular diagnosis used as a confirmatory tool where possible.
Citrus postharvest
In addition to the subprograms, we specialise in citrus postharvest – entomology and pathology.
Our activities investigate the use of scanning technology for pest and diseases in horticultural packhouses.
Entomology factsheets
Entomology factsheets
- Dermestids in Southern Australia factsheet ()
- Field management of Fuller's rose weevil in citrus factsheet ()
- Fuller's rose weevil in citrus factsheet ()
- Identifying mealybugs on inland Australian citrus factsheet ()
- Island fly in citrus factsheet ()
- Kelly's citrus thrips management factsheet ()
- Mandalotus weevils in canola factsheet ()
- Mealybugs - a threat to citrus integrated pest management factsheet ()
- Pasture webworm factsheet ()
- Pea weevil factsheet ()
- Portuguese millipedes factsheet ()
- Small brown snail in citrus factsheet ()
- Snail and slug baiting guidelines ()
Collaborations
Our projects involve partnerships with:
- CSIRO
- Department of Primary Industries (DPI) NSW
- Macquarie University
- The University of Adelaide
- Plant and Food Australia
- industry partners.
Facilities
Our entomology facilities include:
- biological control quarantine insectary – evaluating beneficial insects for SA primary industries
- network of research stations – researching insects in horticulture, field crops, pastures and livestock
- controlled environment rooms and modern glasshouses – growing plants and rearing insects
- bioassay laboratory – screening insecticide resistance and assessing pesticide effects on beneficial insects.
We also use pesticide testing equipment, ranging from field scale to micro application.
Invertebrate collections
The entomology program has an extensive insect range at the Waite Insect and Nematode Collection (WINC). It houses:
- 112,350 pinned specimens
- 22,369 spirit vials
- 7,560 entomology slides
- a total 142,279 specimens available as reference material.
We also offer a photographic collection of South Australian pests and beneficial insects, with photographs available for purchase.
Diagnostic services
We provide a thorough insect morphology diagnostic service for the South Australian agricultural sector, which includes access to the WINC.
Entomology contributes diagnostics to these government services:
- PIRSA's biosecurity SA entomology
- fruit fly control
- locust control.
Contact
Peter Crisp – Program leader crop sciences, entomology
Phone: (08) 8429 0401
Email: peter.crisp@sa.gov.au
Katharina Merkel – Fruit fly
Phone: (08) 8429 0401
Email: katharina.merkel@sa.gov.au
Kym Perry – Grains entomology
Phone: (08) 8429 7038
Email: kym.perry@sa.gov.au
Kate Muirhead – Snail and slug pests of grain crops, horticulture biosecurity
Phone: (08) 8429 2741
Email: kate.muirhead@sa.gov.au
Maarten Van Helden – Grains integrated pest management, blow fly management
Phone: (08) 8429 0642
Email: maarten.vanhelden@sa.gov.au
Rebecca Hamdorf – Diagnostics, integrated pest management
Phone: (08) 8429 0682
Email: rebecca.hamdorf@sa.gov.au
Helen Brodie – Blow fly SIT facility manager
Phone: (08) 8429 0557
Email: helen.brodie@sa.gov.au
Nancy Cunningham – Horticultural postharvest, biosecurity surveillance
Phone: (08) 8429 0679
Email: nancy.cunningham@sa.gov.au
Kevin Powis – General technical, facilities
Phone: (08) 8429 0486
Email: kevin.powis@sa.gov.au
