CESAR continues to gain funding from a
variety of organisations apart from the ARC and continues to work closely with
a variety of end users.
CESAR has major initiatives linked directly
to end users, one on genomics of Lucilia cuprina funded by Wool Innovation and
the other on emerging pests including wheat curl mite in the grains industry.
We also run smaller projects on slug control and on the control of horse
parasites via the use of beneficials that break down dung. In a sense these
initiatives reflect that maturation of our CESAR centre; we are regarded as a
natural provider in the entomology and insect genomics areas, and this is reflected
in requests for collaborations, participation in funding initiatives and
partnerships.
CESAR has close links with CSIRO Entomology
in two main areas. On the genomics front, we are involved in joint efforts to
raise funds for sequencing the genome of the pest moth Helicoverpa armigera.
This large effort will require funding from industry and governments as well as
international agencies including Max Planck and NIH. We are also investigating
interactions with CSIRO Entomology in environmental monitoring through their
Flagship program initiative. A combination of expertise available in CESAR and
in CSIRO has the potential to lead to new tools using invertebrates for
biomonitoring landscape processes particularly in our threatened habitats.
CESAR's interactions with State government
agencies continue both in the agricultural and in the environmental areas. We
are participating in ongoing research on grape phylloxera together with Kevin
Powell from DNRE and developing molecular probes for rapid identification of
phylloxera from soil samples. We have initiated two new projects with Mali
Malipatil on molecular identification of aphids and with Greg Buchanan on scale
in grapevines. Three of our students have been partly based at DNRE research
institutes. Melbourne Water continues to support CESAR
research into understanding how to improve of the health
of freshwater ecosystems. Specific programs include understanding
the role toxicants play on ecosystem health, developing bioindicators of
ecosystem health, research into the exotic fish Gambusia holbrooki
and oriental weatherloach and the threatened dwarf galaxiid.
We also maintain a positive interaction
with private providers of entomological expertise. In particular, though a joint
project with Paul Horne (IPM Technologies), we have been involved in the
development of new methods for promoting beneficials in wine grapes, while our
viticultural work has also involved ongoing discussions with Southcorp.
Interactions have also taken place between CESAR and members of the chemical
industry including Novartis Animal Health, Agrichem, Bayer, Dow and
others
CESAR scientists have also interacted
closely with agencies and groups with an interest in environmental areas. This
has included associations with NSW NRE and Victorian NRE on mountain pygmy
possum, interactions with the Environment Protection Authority and the Arthur
Rilah Institute (Victoria) on chironomid identification, and close
collaboration with Melbourne Water on aquatic indicators for waterway health.
Talks to industry groups including Melbourne Water and the EPA have led to
subsequent collaborations developing.
Throughout the
year, CESAR participants have provided information to a variety of aend user
groups. These include workshops and talks providing information about
beneficial insects and pest control to farmers, formal seminars to the
environmental and viticultural industry representatives, and participation in
industry forums on problems ranging from mulesing and blowfly control to the
promotion of awareness of invertebrates in the viticultural industry.
