Dermestidae and Khapra beetle identification workshop
Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is a serious pest of stored grains, rice, oilseeds and dried foodstuffs and is listed as #2 on Australia’s list of National Plant Priority Pests (NPPP).
To increase national capability in identifying this destructive pest, NPBDN is funding the delivery of the Dermestidae and Khapra beetle identification workshop, and is providing travel support for nominated participants attending from across Australia.
Workshop Details:
- Date: 4 – 8 November 2024.
- Location: Biology Teaching and Learning Centre, Gould lab 1.03 (bldg. 116), Research School of Biology, Building 136, Linnaeus Way, The Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, ACT 2601
- Capacity: 10 people, by nomination through Australian Chief Plant Health Officers/Managers.
- Presented by: Dr Adam Ślipiński and Dr Lingzi Zhou from the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) at CSIRO. Both Dr Ślipiński and Dr Zhou are experts in beetle taxonomy and recently revised the Australian genera of Dermestidae.
Workshop Aims:
The workshop aims to increase capability in identifying Khapra beetle by addressing:
- morphology of larval and adult Dermestidae
- phylogenetic updates of the Dermestidae and the consequences for diagnostic capabilities
- Dermestidae genera present in Australia and their key characteristics
- recognition and identification of critical Trogoderma and related genera
- hands-on training in making simple slides of larval and adult Dermestidae as well as dissections and preparations required for diagnostic purposes.
Participants are encouraged to bring specimens of Dermestidae and similar beetles for identification or confirmation during this workshop.
Dorsal and lateral views of Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) (Source: PaDIL).
This initiative was made possible with coordination and support from the Networks Implementation Working Group (NIWG) and the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics (SPHD), and with funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) under the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostics Professional Development and Protocols Project managed by Plant Health Australia (PHA).
