Dr Ivy W. Chen1

1Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brisbane, Australia

Biography:

Ivy is an entomologist at Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF), Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity. Her current role in Risk Analysis and Scientific Advice Sub-Program focuses on providing scientific advice and developing procedures for exotic plant pest surveillance in Queensland. She received her PhD in Entomology from Texas A&M University, where she studied insect-plant interactions and insect physiology using the Arabidopsis-Myzus persicae system. Then she joined Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (the University of Queensland) as research fellow working on the development of RNA vaccines to combat plant pests in Australia. Ivy`s experience spans both laboratory and fieldwork, with a broad history of collaborating with various industry partners, including the horticulture, grain and sugar sectors.

Abstract:

Biosecurity is critical to protect Australia’s diverse ecosystems, agriculture, and unique way of life against invasive insect pests. In the face of escalating biosecurity threats fuelled by increased trade, travel, urbanization, and climate change, the past decade has seen a rise in new incursions. This trend places an unprecedented strain on biosecurity agencies. Biosecurity Queensland Plant Pest Surveillance has numerous programs in place to prevent, contain, eradicate, and manage biosecurity threats either in the state or at our doorstep.

Echoing the conference theme “Entomology, in All its Life Stages”, this poster highlights Biosecurity Queensland dynamic surveillance programs in monitoring and mitigating threats posed by exotic insect pests across various life stages. These pests, if unchecked, have the potential to devastate food production, disrupt the economy, and harm the ecology. The life stages of insects – from eggs on host plants to actively feeding larvae and flying adults -dictate the dispersal pathways and influence the design of targeted surveillance strategies throughout the year.

This poster will offer insights into the current challenges, success, and ongoing contributions of Biosecurity Queensland plant pest surveillance program towards a resilient and forward-thinking biosecurity framework, ensuring the protection of Australia’s agricultural and ecological heritage.