Brett Hurley

My research focuses on insect pests of forest trees, examining the effect of these interactions and how these effects can be managed in the context of an integrated pest management program. Much of my research examines the use of biological control as a management strategy. Here, various approaches are used to understand factors affecting biocontrol, as well as the suitability of potential new biocontrol agents. These include bioassays, field trials, and molecular and microbial analysis. I have worked extensively on the Sirex-Amylostereum-Deladenus interaction, and more recently I have become involved with biological control projects on the eucalyptus gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa, the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus, the red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombeii, as well as the use of entomopathogenic nematodes for the management of white grubs. My research also incorporates various other fields that are relevant to the understanding and management of forest insect pests, such as host resistance, insect-microbial interactions, genetic diversity and introduction history, risk assessment and pathway management.