RIEL seminar series
Boring beetles and super models: mapping the distribution of a new invader
| Presenter | Dr Andrew Coates | |
|---|---|---|
| Date/Time |
to
|
|
| Contact person | E: RIEL.outreach@cdu.edu.au | |
| Location |
Yellow 1 level 1 room 33 at CDU Casuarina Campus And online via Zoom (see below for Zoom link) All times are ACST |
|
| Open to | Public | |
Dr Andrew Coates is a research associate in the Population Biology and Genomics group at Curtin University, Western Australia.
The polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) is a tiny beetle with a mouthful of a name, but it’s been making headlines as a new invasive species in Australia. PSHB was first detected in Perth three years ago and has since devastated trees across the city. There are concerns about what its further spread could mean for urban, agricultural and natural environments.
In the seminar ‘Boring beetles and super models: mapping the distribution of a new invader’, Andrew will give an overview of this new invader, its fascinating biology, its legacy of colonisation and destruction, and the research efforts to combat its spread.
In particular, Andrew will discuss his current research, which draws upon his experience in pest population modelling. Distribution models are valuable tools for predicting how invasive species spread across a novel landscape. This knowledge can be used to inform decisions on how to deploy monitoring and control efforts most effectively.
Andrew’s research interests bring together parasitology, invasion dynamics, population modelling and evolutionary biology. Study systems include house geckos, salmon lice and fungus-farming beetles, which all bring up questions about how humans influence ecological processes.
He is also an adjunct research associate at Charles Darwin University.
Related Events
Explore a Graduate Diploma of Midwifery
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is hosting a free webinar about its Graduate Diploma of Midwifery to show registered nurses how flexible study can help them transition into a rewarding career in woman-centered maternity care.
Read more about Explore a Graduate Diploma of Midwifery
The Macroderma Initiative: Conserving ghost bats in a changing landscape
Dr Nicola Hanrahan, a research fellow at Charles Darwin University, will present a seminar on the Macroderma Initiative’s efforts to utilise acoustic, genetic, and movement data to address critical knowledge gaps and improve conservation strategies for the declining ghost bat.
Read more about The Macroderma Initiative: Conserving ghost bats in a changing landscape
From Policy to Place: Strengthening Regional Migration Outcomes through a Whole-of-Community Approach
Join us for this seminar how migration can better support the sustainability and vitality of rural and remote Australia.
Read more about From Policy to Place: Strengthening Regional Migration Outcomes through a Whole-of-Community Approach
