Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354908
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outco ....The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outcomes and solutions to problems in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and protection of Australia's native flora. Researchers are struggling to create these links, constrained by disciplinary boundaries and geographical isolation. Key industries and researchers already support this proposal.Read moreRead less
Info-chemicals for the environmentally sustainable management of autumn gum moth and scarab beetle pests of bluegum plantations. Insect pest control in Australian bluegum plantations currently relies on insecticides. Insecticides are incompatible with maintaining populations of native beneficial insects and achieving biotic regulation of pest populations. Info-chemicals offer ways of disrupting pest populations that are benign to beneficials because they only interfere with the responses of the ....Info-chemicals for the environmentally sustainable management of autumn gum moth and scarab beetle pests of bluegum plantations. Insect pest control in Australian bluegum plantations currently relies on insecticides. Insecticides are incompatible with maintaining populations of native beneficial insects and achieving biotic regulation of pest populations. Info-chemicals offer ways of disrupting pest populations that are benign to beneficials because they only interfere with the responses of the target insect. This project will pioneer the development of sex pheromone-based technologies for managing autumn gum moth and reveal potential applications of info-chemicals for managing scarab beetles. Application of info-chemical solutions to plantation pests will improve public perception of the industry and assist with forestry standard certification.Read moreRead less