Mr Derian Echeverri

MSc Student

Research Interests

As an Agronomist Engineer, I have experience in working with several commercial crops, both in the Private and Governmental sector with specific interest in Integrated Pest and Disease Management. My main fields of expertise are that of chemical and biological control, studying aspects of biocontrol agents is, however, of specific interest to me.

Studies on Gonipterus scutellatus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) and its control are carried out by a relatively large team of researchers at the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP) based at FABI. I lead the project as part of my Master’s thesis which I am planning to continue as part of my PhD. One of the focus areas of the TPCP research on G. scutellatus is to evaluate the impact of mass releases of Anaphes nitens (and other biological control agents) in areas where the insect pest remains problematic to the South African Forestry Industry. To achieve good control of the pest we will screen different insecticides and bioinsecticides for use in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. This product is also tested for compatibility with the parasitoid wasp (A. nitens). To understand the biology and ecology of these insects on their Eucalyptus host in introduced environments, we are also determining the population structure of both G. scutellatus and A. nitens based on molecular techniques.