Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, where I focus on augmentative and conservation biological control of key forest pests in pine and eucalypt systems. My current research targets two high-impact species: the pine brown tail moth, Euproctis terminalis, a native insect that has shifted onto pine, and Eucalyptus snout beetle, Gonipterus sp. n. 2, an invasive pest of eucalypts in South Africa.
I completed my PhD in 2022, investigating the biology and ecology of invasive eucalypt psyllids, providing insights critical for their sustainable management. Since 2023, my postdoctoral work has advanced biocontrol strategies to reduce reliance on chemical control and improve resilience in plantation forestry.
My broader expertise spans forest entomology, invasive species ecology, nematology, and applied biological control, with a strong focus on translating research into practical, field-ready solutions for sustainable pest management.
Mavuka R, Mashavakure N, Makunde PT, Mahere T, Madziwa K, Mawire B, Mashingaidze AB. (2025) Impact of winter cover cropping on root-knot nematode suppression, yield, and quality in intensive tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) production systems in Zimbabwe. Journal of Entomology and Nematology 10.5897/JEN2025.0296
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Bush S, Hurley BP. (2025) Host specificity and host stage preference of Psyllaephagus species (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) towards invasive eucalypt psyllids (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae). Agricultural and Forest Entomology 10.1111/afe.12679
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Hurley BP. (2024) Exploring the diversity of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) associated with eucalypts in South African forestry nurseries and plantations, with a new report of Strepsicrates sp.. Southern Forests 10.2989/20702620.2024.2394219
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Hurley BP. (2024) First report of the giant conifer aphid, Cinara pinivora (Wilson) and the Monterey pine aphid, Essigella californica (Essig) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in South Africa. Southern Forests 10.2989/20702620.2024.2394218
Makunde PT, Joubert JC, Slippers B, Hurley BP, Hammerbacher A. (2023) Leaf surface traits may influence host specificity in psyllids of Eucalyptus, Spondyliaspis cf. plicatuloides (Froggatt) and Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae). Chemoecology 10.1007/s00049-023-00387-x
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Bush SJ, Hurley BP. (2023) Biology of the invasive shell lerp psyllid, Spondyliaspis cf. plicatuloides (Froggatt) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae). African Entomology 10.17159/2254-8854/2023/a13747
Makunde PT, Dimbi S, Mahere TS, Banana S, Chinheya CC. (2021) Evaluation of an improved Katambora grass cultivar G HR1 for root-knot nematode management in tobacco. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 10.1080/02571862.2020.1849832
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Burckhardt D, de Queiroz DL, Lawson SA, Hurley BP. (2020) Current and potential threat of psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) on eucalypts. Southern Forests 10.2989/20702620.2020.1813650
Makunde PT, Dimbi S, Mahere TS. (2018) Leguminous crops as an alternative rotation with tobacco to control Meloidogyne javanica. Journal of Entomology and Nematology 10.5897/JEN2017.0192