Dr Martina Bernard
Post Doctoral Research Fellow: Applied Acarology and Entomology
CESAR- Department of Zoology
The University of Melbourne
Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia

FAX: +61 3 8344 7089
Mobile: 0409 936 503
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Martina's main research interests are Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biological control, Applied Acarology, eco-toxicology, and technology transfer. Her current research is in IPM in viticulture, researching naturally present biological control agents in vineyards. Martina completed her PhD in Applied Acarology at La Trobe University in 2005. Her PhD Thesis: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Australian wine grapes: Bionomics and integrated control of Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa) grape rust mite (Acarina: Eriophyidae), lead to a large-scale adoption of a sustainable IPM approach to C. vitis management across the Australian wine industry, a successful prevention of C. vitis outbreaks, and considerable savings to growers. Her research also identified two causal agents of the grapevine syndrome known as �RSG�, and devised a successful treatment. Martina holds a BSc in Applied Science (Horticulture) from The University of Melbourne, with a major in Entomology completed at La Trobe University; Honours (1997): Feasibility Study of IPM for container-produced ornamental crops-Analytical Survey of Pests, Diseases, Control Methods and Attitudes to IPM in the Victorian Nursery Industry (Burnley College). She holds the following awards for excellence in her work: Harry H. Hoogstraal Award (2003) Ohio State University, 53rd Annual Summer Acarology Program; Maurice & Helen Wood Memorial Scholarship for overseas study (1998), The University of Melbourne (Burnley College); AgrEvo Student Award (1997) University of Melbourne; Dux of Course (1994)-Assoc.Dip. Appl. Sc. (Horticulture), VCAH Burnley. Nursery Industry Association of Victoria Award for Excellence (1994), VCAH Burnley. She was an invited speaker at the Oregon Wine Industry Symposium (2005), Oregon State University, Corvallis, 8-9 March 2005. Her PhD Scholarship, and her Post Doctoral research have been funded by the Australian Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC).

Current Research: 

Total system approach to sustainable pest management in grapevines: Research demonstration and cost benefit analysis project. (Funded by the Australian Grape and Wine Development Corporation) 

Use of preadatory mites for long-term prevention of rust mite, bud mite, and other pest mite outbreaks in australian vineyards (Funded by the Australian Grape and Wine Development Corporation)

Publications

Refereed Publications

Bernard M. B., P. A. Horne, A. A. Hoffmann, 2005. Eriophyoid mite damage in Vitis vinifera (grapevine) in Australia: Calepitrimerus vitis and Colomerus vitis (Acarina: Eriophyidae) as the common cause of the widespread 'Restricted Spring Growth' syndrome. Experimental and Applied Acarology 35: 83-109.��� http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10493-004-1986-4

Bernard M. B., P. A. Horne, A. A. Hoffmann, 2004. Developing eco-toxicological testing standard for predatory mites in Australia: Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of fungicides to predatory mites Euseius victoriensis and Galendromus occidentalis (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 97: 891-899

Technical publications: research extension into practice

Bernard M., Horne P. A., Hoffmann A. A., 2004. Ecological Pest Management: The effect of viticultural fungicides on beneficial predatory mites, The Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker, 485a: 7-12

Bernard M., Carew M., Hurst P., Horne P., Hoffmann A., 2002. Grapevine bud mite, RSG, and blister mite: an emerging story, The Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker 464: 41-48

Bernard M., Horne P. A., Hoffmann A.A., 2001. Preventing restricted spring growth (RSG) in grapevines by successful rust mite control- spray application, timing and eliminating sprays harmful to rust mite predators are critical, The Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker 452: 16-22

Bernard M., Hoffmann, A.A., Glenn D.C. 2000. POSTER- Grapevine rust mite, Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa) - Biology and integrated management in Australia In: Proceedings: 5th International Symposium on Cool Climate Viticulture and Oenology, January 2000, Melbourne, Australia; Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology

Bernard M., Braybrook D., Hurst P., Hoffmann A., Glenn D. 2000.� Mites-the classic �who done it?', The Australian and New Zealand Grape grower and Winemaker 438: 29-31