SUMMER STUDENT - Egg parasitism of the Eucalyptus Tortoise Beetle in Waikato eucalyptus plantations - Scion

Egg parasitism of the Eucalyptus Tortoise Beetle in Waikato eucalyptus plantations

The primary objective of the work/project:

To determine current abundance of P. charybdis and rates and identification of egg parasitoids impacting egg batches in the first generation of the pest

Project Abstract:

Classical biological control is a sustainable method of invasive species management where an exotic natural enemy is purposely introduced to an area that an invasive pest has established in. This summer Scion, the NZ Forest Research Institute Ltd, in Rotorua will be releasing the biocontrol agent Eadya daenerys, a larval parasitoid from Australia, to help manage the serious forestry pest, eucalyptus tortoise beetle (Paropsis charybdis) (Chrysomelidae). A team of summer students will be recruited to assist Scion entomologists with the mass rearing of this parasitoid prior to their release into the environment.

In conjunction with the release of the new biocontrol agent, it is important for Scion to understand what role egg parasitoids are currently playing on killing the beetle eggs, which would otherwise develop into larvae to be available for parasitism by Eadya daenerys during the first generation of the pest (November to January).

Your project will involve fortnightly field visits to a Eucalyptus nitens plantation site in the Waikato while accompanied by another person. You will be taught tree assessment techniques to record defolation levels and you will inspect the lower branches of trees to bring back beetle egg batches you find back to the laboratory. These will be reared to obtain the proportion infested with the tiny parasitoids. You will photograph egg batches as they develop, documenting the changes to the egg, learn to identify the parasitoids to species (there are potentially three).

This role would suit someone with accommodation in, or near Rotorua, and prior entomology experience in rearing insects. A current First Aid certificate and Forest Entry Training would be beneficial, but will be provided by Scion if necessary.

Other research undertaken will include learning the protocol of the containment insect laboratory, and identification of parasitoids. You must be available right throughout the summer break to ensure consistent sampling dates, and monitoring the eggs collected. Therefore, it would be beneficial if you would be available almost any day of the week and some public holidays.

Skills and attributes needed:

• Attention to detail
• Experience collecting ecological data
• Experience rearing insects
• Confident and able to walk in the field amongst trees
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Reliable and punctual

Project Tasks:

• Sample collection
• Insect rearing
• Sample micro photography
• Insect identification
• Data entry and summary statistics
• Writing final brief report

Date of the summer programme:   21 November 2022 - 27 January 2022

Applications close:                        11 November 2022