Professor
I lead the Flies of Economic Significance Research Group in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria, which conducts research on the behaviour, ecology and physiology of flies (Insecta: Diptera) that affect human activities in southern Africa. Results from these studies inform sustainable management practices that can reduce reliance on pesticides, but may also facilitate the beneficial use of flies.
I also work on the biology and management of other insect pests to provide solutions to agriculture industries that maximise their productivity.
For more details about my research interests and students, visit my profile on the website of the Department of Zoology and Entomology
In the Department of Zoology and Entomology, I coordinate and teach in ZEN 365 Applied entomology and ZEN 707 Integrated pest management in Africa. I also contribute to teaching in ZEN 361 Physiological processes and present a theme on insect physiological ecology in ZEN 704 Environmental physiology.
PhD, University of Sydney
BEnvSc (Hons), University of Newcastle, Australia
PrSciNat
FRES
Ramaoka, M.R., Manrakhan, A., Weldon, C.W.. (2025) Responses of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) to protein bait: Effects of tree canopy, species, physiological state and weather. Crop Protection 10.1016/j.cropro.2025.107331
Pogue, T., Malod, K., Weldon, C.W.. (2025) Effects of semiochemical pre-feeding, physiological state, and weather on the response of Bactrocera dorsalis to methyl eugenol baited traps. Crop Protection 10.1016/j.cropro.2024.107015
Kibor, M.K., Sole, C.L., Joubert, E., Weldon, C.W.. (2025) Abundance, diversity and development of thrips (Thysanoptera) on avocados and macadamias in the Levubu region of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Austral Entomology 10.1111/aen.70013
Pullock, D.A., Krüger, K., Manrakhan, A., Yusuf, A.A., Weldon, C.W.. (2024) Addition of selected plant-derived semiochemicals to yellow sticky traps does not improve citrus psyllid captures. Journal of Chemical Ecology 10.1007/s10886-024-01491-0
Pogue, T., Malod, K., Weldon, C.W.. (2024) Effects of physiological status and environmental factors on the lure responses of three pest fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae). Journal of Chemical Ecology 10.1007/s10886-024-01516-8
da Cunha, V.A.G., Pullock, D.A., Ali, M., Neto, A.O.C., Ampatzidis, Y., Weldon, C.W., Krüger, K., Manrakhan, A., Qureshi, J.. (2024) PSYLLID DETECTOR: A web-based application to automate insect detection utilizing image processing and deep learning. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 10.13031/aea.15826