Mr Praneet Goundar1, Dr. Madaline Healey1, Dr. Simon Lawson1, Dr. Richard A Hayes1

1Forest Research Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Brisbane, Australia

Biography:

Praneet is from Fiji and is currently a master of science by research candidate at the Forest Research Institute with the University of the Sunshine Coast. Praneet has worked in biosecurity for about 12 years in the areas of front-line border protection, including imports and exports, exotic termite project management and his last role was as an arthropod diagnostician with the plant’s biosecurity division. Praneet’s goal is to work towards a PhD and he’s very excited to be amongst other arthropod lovers and to learn from them in beautiful Tasmania.

Abstract:

The eastern North American native, Ips grandicollis Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is an exotic bark beetle pest of Pinus in Australia. While it is typically a secondary pest, under ideal conditions that weaken host tree defences, I. grandicollis populations may quickly increase to outbreak levels as the availability of host material increases. The implications of I. grandicollis infestations for the pine industry include logistical pressure to remove harvested logs prior to beetle attack, reduced value of logs due to sap-staining, tree mortality from mass attacks, and biosecurity sanctions due to live interceptions of this pest offshore in exported logs. Despite the release of biological control agents as part of a national Ips management project in the 1980s, the impact of these agents remains unknown, and management in Australia largely relies on silvicultural practices. Current methods do not adequately suppress I. grandicollis populations, particularly when extreme abiotic (fire, drought) and biotic elements (other pests and diseases) periodically increase tree susceptibility to attack. To enhance ongoing control efforts, we present an overview of the Ips biocontrol project from 1981 to 1989. In addition, we outline the contributions of selected microbial and arthropod associates on bark beetle success. Finally, we identify opportunities for further investigation, focusing on the potential utility of ubiquitous entomopathogenic fungi and other predatory beetle associates, including the potential for improving established parasitoid performance using semiochemicals to enhance the sustainable management of this pest in pine plantations.