Michael is current involved in sampling
invertebrates in a number environments; viticulture, broad acre and alpine. His
aim is to identify taxon, specifically carabid beetles, to be used as
bioindicators of environmental stressors, such as climate and chemical.
Development of protocols that can monitor the effectiveness of changes to landscape
management that mitigate environmental damage is vital for agriculture to meet
future threats to production, such as climate change. The applied nature of his
research includes the understanding the interactions between management and
invertebrate communities, which provide ecosystem services. These beneficial
services include pest control that can form the basis of robust integrated pest
management strategies for agriculture.
Current Research:
Hoffmann AA, Reynolds KT, Nash MA, Weeks AR, A high incidence
of parthenogenesis in agricultural pests. Proceedings of the Royal Society B; In press 2008.
Nash MA, Thomson LJ, Hoffmann AA; "Effect
of remnant vegetation, pesticides and farm management on abundance of the
beneficial predator Notonomus gravis (Chaudoir) (Coleoptera:
Carabidae)" in Biological Control; 46, 83-93; 2008.
Nash MA, Thomson LJ, Hoffmann AA; "Slug
control in Australian canola: monitoring, molluscicidal baits and economic
thresholds" in Pest Management Science
63:851-859; 2007.
Nash MA, Thomson LJ, Horne PA, Hoffmann AA;
Notonomus gravis (Chaudoir)
(Coleoptera: Carabidae) predation of Deroceras
reticulatum Müller (Gastropoda: Agriolimacidae): an example of fortuitous
biological control. Biological Control; In review.
Hoffmann AA, Nash MA, Weeks AR, Mangano P,
Umina P; The changing status of pests and the future of pest management in the
grains industry. In reveiw.
Micic S, Strickland G, Weeks AR, Nash MA,
Hoffmann AA, Umina P, Henery K, Bellati J; Pests of establishing crops in southern
Australia: a review of the biology and management options. In reveiw.
Nash MA; “Grassland conservation benefits
beetles” GRDC Ground Cover Integrated Pest Management supplement; May-June 2008
Industry Publications:
Umina P, Nash M, Arthur A; “Know your pest
for better control” in Farming Ahead 176: 23-25; 2006
Nash MA; “Beetles benefit agriculture: how
can farmers benefit beetles”. Submitted to Farming Ahead.
