Andrew Weeks ARC Research Fellow
"...we try to understand the pest - everything about it, where it
lives, what other non-pest invertebrates it interacts with - and then
we come up with management options based on that knowledge."
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While not part of the core research programs, CESAR currently undertakes extensive research into Applied areas in Australian agriculture. Our aim is to provide a more integrated approach to pest management in southern Australian agricultural ecosystems that also incorporates the management of beneficial organisms. Understanding the basic biology of pest complexes and how they interact with other invertebrates within specific industries is central to our research goals. We currently conduct research in several agricultural systems within southern Australia including:
- Grape and Wine Industries (GWRDC, CRCV)
- Wool Industry (AWI)
- Grains Industry (GRDC, DPI)
- Horticultural Industry (DPI, ACIAR)
- Equine Industry (RIDRC)
CESAR is committed to long-term projects with a total systems approach to pest management. Our research is helping farmers achieve maximum yield and quality for the lowest cost by developing safe and sustainable management techniques that are not heavily reliant on chemicals. CESAR’s research is directed towards:
- assessment of current control strategies in agriculture
- reproductive modes and movement patterns of pests
- biological control agents and the role of IPM
- plant-pest and predator-prey interactions
- molecular diagnosis of cryptic pest species
- the role of landscape changes on pest and beneficial invertebrates
- soil biology and the enhancement of biodiversity |
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