28 March – 1 April 2022
The professional development workshop was a 5-day workshop run by Dr Mali Malipatil (Agriculture Victoria DJPR – AgriBio).
The course included: (a) general presentations on biology, economic / biosecurity significance, feeding and damage symptoms, molecular identification, higher classification and morphology of Miridae and Lygaeoidea, and (b) intensive practical work over 15 laboratory sessions (covering almost 4 days of the workshop) with specimens of genera and species of major economic groups including several exotic ones provided, using the two diagnostic manuals on Miridae and on Lygaeoidea, that were developed and published in June 2020 through a project funded under the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper Modern Diagnostics for northern Australia initiative, and with assistance of trainer, Mali Malipatil.
This is a follow-up activity to the Modern Diagnostics for northern Australia project completed June 2020, delayed until now due to COVID restrictions and funded by DAWE under the Plant Biosecurity and Response Reform Program.
Training Outcomes
- Overall enhanced hands-on practical diagnostic skills in Miridae and Lygaeoidea, two largest and economically most important groups of Heteroptera, particularly involving major and common endemic pest and beneficial genera and species, also certain major exotic species that have biosecurity significance for Australia.
- Improved knowledge on morphology and classification, and improved skills in the use of keys to genera, tribes, subfamilies and families and subfamilies of Miridae and Lygaeoidea.
Training Outputs
- e-resources for the identification of major economic genera of Miridae (here) and Lygaeoidea (here).
- Up-to-date literature and nomenclature relating to Miridae and Lygaeoidea.
- Formation of a network of Heteroptera diagnosticians for future professional development.
