Plant Protection

Entomology Postgraduate information

1. Contact

Qiao Wang
Entomology and IPM Laboratory
Plant Protection
Institute of Natural Resources
Massey University, Palmerston North, Private Bag 11222
New Zealand
Phone: ++64-6-350 4831 (office), ++64-6-350 5799 extn. 7039 (lab)
Fax: +64-6-350 5679
E-mail: Q.Wang@massey.ac.nz

2. Research Program for Postgraduates

My research and postgraduate training programmes focus on the following areas:

1. Insect behavioural ecology

Insect behaviour is mediated by either physical or chemical stimuli, or both. Behavioural and chemical ecology involves determination of what and how stimuli affect insect behaviour and how to manipulate such behaviour towards our advantage. Such studies are vital to the development of the ecologically sound insect pest management and to the understanding of sexual selection evolution. Our research covers insect reproductive and foraging behaviour, sexual selection, sperm competition, and pheromones. My postgraduate training programme is aimed at producing competent insect behaviourists with special emphasis on insect pest management or evolutionary biology.

2. Biological control ecologyy

Biological control of arthropod pests using predators and parasitoids has again attracted serious attention due to enormous problems caused by the application of pesticides. We are interested in both fundamental and applied aspects of biological control including the ecological and evolutionary insights into plant-pest-natural enemy interactions; natural enemies’ (particularly parasitoids) life history, mass-rearing, mating system, host finding, host selection, sex allocation, sex ratio and factors affecting these. Projects on biological control of weeds using plant-feeding insects are also of interest to the laboratory.

3. Insect biosystematics and biogeography

Biosystamatics is fundamentally important because it forms the foundation upon which all other biological disciplines are based. Our research ranges from insect biodiversity, taxonomy and evolution to their geographic distribution and the ecological and historical reasons for such distribution. We are concerned with both ecological and evolutionary processes. Graduates trained in the Entomology and IPM Laboratories are expected to become skilled phylogenetic systematists competent for revisionary systematics, phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses, and able to carry out research into insect conservation.

4. Research Facilities

In the Entomology and IPM Laboratory, we have well equipped facilities for research in the areas of the insect systematics and biogeography, behavioural ecology, and biological control, including a systematic laboratory, 3 walk-in environmental rooms, a chemical ecology and molecular biology laboratory, a behavioural ecology laboratory, DNA extraction and analysis systems, pheromone extraction and analysis (and identification) facilities, a controlled wind speed windtunnel, behavioural recording systems, and other necessary facilities. Additional equipment and facilities may be purchased or made if necessary and financially possible. Other accessible resources in the Institute include glasshouses, farms and orchards.

5. Financial Support

There will be up to 40 PhD scholarships (will increase up to 100 in 2007) awarded for enrolment in 2006 to students from the following countries: ASEAN countries, China, Korea, Mexico, Chile, and Brazil. Applications will be considered from international postgraduate students from these countries, including those who are already in the process of applying for entry to a New Zealand university. For full details and an application form please visit http://www.educationnz.org.nz./scholarships/index.html.

Massey University also offers postgraduate scholarships (covering NZ local tuition fees and living expenses) for local and overseas postgraduates on the merit basis. MSc and PhD candidates from Australia, Germany and France, and PhD candidates from other countries pay NZ local tuition fees (about NZ$2,000 per year). For information on Massey scholarships available to international students, please visit: http://international.massey.ac.nz/howdoiapply/HowdoIapply_financialaid.htm#NZIPRS, or contact our International Students Office on International@massey.ac.nz.