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Entomology                 Jane's Publications
Research                                      Jane's CV

As a researcher in the Division of Forest Research and Development at Forestry Tasmania, Australia, since 1994, Jane is assisting in the development of more environmentally-friendly  methods of preventing economic damage to plantation eucalypts by  insect pests and has been responsible for training and organising the management of insect pests in the young eucalypt plantations during each summer. 

Jane's main goal  is to improve the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system currently used to control defoliation by chrysomelid leaf beetles.   This involves assessing the impact of insect pests on tree growth, testing out 'softer' insecticides and finding ways to enhance the current natural controls by predators and parasites.

Jane is also responsible for investigating other insect pests that occur in eucalypt plantations, to assess their importance and whether they need management.

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Tasmanian Eucalyptus leaf beetles,
Chrysophtharta bimaculata (Olivier)

Her major achivements have been:

writing information leaflets on the seven major insect pests and beneficial insects of Tasmanian eucalypt and pine plantations, available on the Forestry Tasmania web site,

writing and keeping updated a Manual for managing leaf beetle defoliation in eucalypt plantations for Forestry Tasmanian field staff,
testing out  new biological insecticides to evaluate their activitiy in laboratory and field trials:
                 - Novodor® (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis) against chrysomelid leaf beetles                   - Mimic® (tebufenozide) against autumn gum moth.
                  - Success® (spinosad) against chrysomelid leaf beetles
                  - imidacloprid and related nicitinoid systemic insecticides against chrysomelids.

In 1994, the only insecticide available for controlling insect pests in forestry plantations were insecticides containing alpha-cypermethrin. Since then, Both Mimic® and Success® have now been registered for managing autumn gum moth and chrysomelid beetles respectively in Australian plantation eucalypts. Another formulation of spinosad, Entrust®, has also been registered and aproved for use by the BFA (Biological Farmers Association) on organic farms. Dipel® (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki)has also been registered to control moth larvae attacking eucalypt plantations.
Numerous reports, conference presentations and papers written on her PhD and Forestry Tasmania work. Click here to go to her list of publications and conferences presentations.
A recent Public Seminar at Forestry Tasmania shows an overview of her work.

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Last updated March 2006