Mr Brett Hurley

Research Staff

Research Interests

As an entomologist, my main focus is insect pests, but my research interests are by no means restricted to insect pests alone. In a broad sense, my interests have been captured by the various interactions between fauna and flora (both beneficial and detrimental), as well as the influence that these interactions may have on society. Of particular interest to me are biological control and the interactions between insects and fungi. My current research focus is the molecular ecology and establishment of biological control agents for the woodwasp, Sirex noctilio. Sirex noctilio is currently the main pest threat to commercial forestry in South Africa, and it is estimated that losses from this pest are approximately R300 million per annum. Other projects that I have worked on include: an investigation of the efficacy of Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) to control the Eucalyptus Snout Beetle, Gonipterus scutellatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in South Africa; and an investigation of the association between fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae) and pathogenic fungi (Fusarium spp.) in pine forestry nurseries.