AHCARB807 — Conduct an entomology research project

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• conception, design, and implementation of safe and efficacious control strategy
• research and development of alternative pest management strategies
• investigative study on the longevity, infectivity and virulence of tree pests
• monitoring and assessment of infestation levels of a pest outbreak
• design and implementation of biocontrol strategies using predators, parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi
• design and implementation of methods for monitoring and assessing population dynamics and distribution of tree pest species
• implementation of a comparative ecological field study investigating efficacy and compatibility of pest insect control strategies
• research and test a management plan for a phytophagous insect
• research and test a breeding program for a beneficial insect
• research three model systems to examine tritrophic effects of tree susceptibility
• design, implement, investigate, evaluate and report on tritrophic interactions
• investigate preference and survivability of insects in a tree environment
• design projects investigating the subsequent risk analysis and tests required
• development of a tree pest survey strategy
• research and report on geographical or climatic distribution of insect pests
• coordination with an international and domestic multidisciplinary collaborative research initiative
• investigated anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insects
• examined the interaction of insects with trees
• researched annualised population and generational behaviour of insects
• developed and documented a reference collection of a minimum of one hundred specimens of arboricultural related insects and vectors from at least four orders of insects, annotated with the following: - date of collection - location where insect was collected - host tree/plant on which it was collected/feeds - name of insect to at least the level of genera
• designed and developed a database to store information of tree pests and vectors
• compiled host climatic and geographic distribution data
• investigated and identified natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects
• investigated phytophagous and damaging insect–tree dynamics
• investigated symbiotic/beneficial insect–tree dynamics
• investigated physiological responses of tree resistance to insects
• investigated host–pathogen and pathogen–vector interactions
• evaluated conditions affecting selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects and factors associated with attack
• investigated and assessed insect transmission of disease
• evaluated multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids
• determined economic costs of insect damage to trees
• evaluated insects as environmental indicators of health and condition
• determined insect biological hazards
• investigated impact and effects of control strategies on target and non-target organisms
• investigated insect resistance to pesticides
• investigated and evaluate biological control agents of tree pest control
• researched and evaluated plant health management options to manage insect damage
• collected, tabulated and analysed data for publications
• determined relevance of results to arboriculture
• compiled and communicated research and results in a research paper according to standards expected of professional technical peer-reviewed journal
• submitted research paper for review
• reviewed feedback from reviewer and amended paper
• communicated key facts and conclusions to industry in an article or presentation

Knowledge evidence

• research skills and designing research projects, including: - investigative skills and monitoring techniques - defining the scope and purpose of research activity - data collection, management and storage - data processing, analysis and modelling - statistics and data interpretation - design and development of formal research papers and the process of peer-reviewed publication - design and development of industry papers and presentations for communication of research and findings
• entomology and the impact of insects on our environment, including: - anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of different classes of insects - insect behaviour, ecology and nutrition and their interaction with trees - population and generational behaviour and phenology of insects and impact on plants and trees over time - host, climatic and geographic distribution of insects - insects as indicators of environmental health
• collecting, storing and documenting insect reference collections, including: - catching and preserving techniques - taxonomic and naming conventions for insects - tagging and labelling specimens - design and construction of databases and data entry procedures
• insects and their economic impact on society and health of trees, including: - natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects - phytophagous and damaging insects on tree dynamics - symbiotic and beneficial insects and impact on tree dynamics - natural responses of trees to insect invasion - host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions - subcortical feeding insects and conditions for selecting host trees - factors associated with successful attack - insect as a vector for transmission of disease - insects as biological hazards - a systems approach to multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen or parasitoids
• pest insect control strategies, their advantages and disadvantages, including: - mechanical control - chemical control and pesticide resistance - biological control agents - managing the environment and tree health to offset infestations - integrated pest management (IPM) - direct and indirect impact of chemical pesticides and biocontrol agents on target and off-target organisms

Foundation skills

• Reading: Interpret complex texts, research reports and biological references to extract information relevant to entomological research
• Writing: Create complex technical documents that include appropriate conventions and stylistic devices to express precise meaning for target audience
• Oral communication: Establish and maintain complex and effective spoken communication during presentations to target audience

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Questions about assessing AHCARB807