CRC for Plant Biosecurity - James Ridsdill-Smith

Chinese collaboration builds for PBCRC

CRICHTONA — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 22:48:38 +0000

The PBCRC continues developing collaborative links with China, with a number of visits taking place over recent months.

At the Science Exchange in May, three Chinese delegations were in attendance to sign MOUs with the PBCRC. The three organisations were:

Chinese Academy of State Administration of Grain
Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine
Northwest A&F University

Photos from the MOU signings are available below.

CRCNPB Principal Scientist James Ridsdill-Smith also recently visited China, where he attended the BIT 1st Annual World Congress of Biodiversity from 25-28 April 2012. James was invited to attend the congress to speak on Detection tools for invasive plant pests and diseases.

As part of his trip James visited Northwest A&F University, which was organised by Professor Qiao Wenjun, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange (Professor Qiao Wenjun was one of the delegates who attended the Science Exchange). James was given a tour by Professor Liu Tongxian, National Distinguished Professor and Director of the Key Laboratory of Applied Entomology.

The third and most recent collaboration with a Chinese delegation was a visit by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, who visited the CRC office in Canberra on 12 June 2012. The delegation met with David Eagling, Sharyn Taylor and Darren Kriticos to discuss quantitative pest risk assessment, with a particular interest in fruit flies.

The CRCNPB Board with delegates from Northwest A&F University prior to their MOU signing.

The CRCNPB Board with delegates from the Chinese Academy of State Administration of Grain following their MOU signing.

The CRCNPB Board with delegates from the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine following their MOU signing.

James Ridsdill-Smith on his recent visit to Northwest A&F University, with (left to right) Lili Huang Associate Dean College of Plant Protection, Liu Tongxain Dean College of Plant Protection, James Ridsdill-Smith CRCNPB, Qiao Wenjun Deputy Director Office International Cooperation and Exchange, Nicola Ridsdill-Smith, Yu Ying Deputy Director Office International Cooperation and Exchange.

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture delegation with CRC staff during their recent visit to the CRC office.

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Principal Scientist wins Howard Medal

CRICHTONA — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:10:38 +0000

Eminent entomologist Dr James Ridsdill-Smith has been recognised for his achievements over 40 years in research on the behaviour, ecology and management of insect and arthropod pests of pasture plants, by being awarded the inaugural AW Howard Medal and Oration.

Recognised for lifetime achievements and contributions to the Australian pasture industries – and the quality of his research and professional leadership – Dr Ridsdill-Smith’s work led to better control of redlegged earth mites, of aphid pests of lupins, of ground-dwelling scarab beetles and grass grubs, and of pod-borers of chickpeas.

The AW Howard Memorial Trust Committee and friends and colleagues associated with the Australian Pasture research community gathered for the historic presentation in the Victoria Room of the Edinburgh Hotel, Mitcham on Monday, 28 November.

Outgoing AW Howard Memorial Trust Committee chair, Professor Rob Lewis made the presentation to Dr Ridsdill-Smith who then delivered an Oration on his life’s work.

Dr Ridsdill-Smith described how, beginning with an early interest in natural history, he has endeavoured to combine modern theoretical and technological science with an observational and natural history approach during his 40 year career in entomology.

More information is available here.

Dr James Ridsdill-Smith being presented with the Howard Medal.

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CRCNPB Principal Scientist recognised with Howard Medal

CRICHTONA — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:18:09 +0000

The CRCNPB’s Principal Scientist, eminent entomologist Dr James Ridsdill-Smith, has been recognised for his achievements over 40 years in research on the behaviour, ecology and management of insect and arthropod pests of pasture plants by being awarded the inaugural AW Howard Medal and Oration.

Recognised for lifetime achievements and contributions to the Australian pasture industries, and the quality of his research and professional leadership Dr Ridsdill-Smith’s work led to better control of redlegged earth mites, of aphid pests of lupins, of ground-dwelling scarab beetles and grass grubs, and of pod-borers of chickpeas.

The AW Howard Memorial Trust Committee, and friends and colleagues associated with the Australian Pasture research community gathered for the historic presentation in the Victoria Room of the Edinburgh Hotel, Mitcham on Monday, 28 November.

Outgoing AW Howard Memorial Trust Committee chair, Professor Rob Lewis made the presentation to Dr Ridsdill-Smith who then delivered an Oration on his life’s work.

His approach to developing new strategies for the control of insect pests in pastures has been based on detailed biological and ecological research. Large numbers of insects are present in pastures. Some, like pasture scarabs and redlegged earth mite, are plant pests, while the bush fly is a dung-breeding pest. Others, like dung beetles and thynnine wasps, are beneficial insects. Pastures have a “carrying capacity” for insects as they do for livestock. Insects represent a “hidden force” in pastures, as loss of production from insect feeding is highest when pastures are growing well although at this stage damage may not be visible.

Dr Ridsdill-Smith described how research leading to detailed knowledge of the insect’s life-cycle was critical in understanding the effect of dung beetles on bush fly control, and in developing the TIMERITE spray programme to kill redlegged earth mite at the one time in the year when there were no eggs present. The complexity of insect communities in pasture systems makes them hard to study, and, using dung beetles as his model, Dr Ridsdill-Smith discussed how insect diversity might be used as an index of sustainable systems.

“Another approach to pest control is developing plant resistance, and pre-breeding research helped to develop screening methods and to identify mechanisms of resistance to various pests in sub-clovers, lupins and chickpeas. Collaboration with plant chemists through the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) enabled the identification of a range of plant compounds which inhibited pest feeding,” Dr Ridsdill-Smith said.

“There have been many benefits from research into pest insects. Effective control of redlegged earth mite using TIMERITE provided very high production benefits to farmers, whereas the introduction of dung beetles has provided benefits to the wider community through the control of bush flies.”
However, Dr Ridsdill-Smith did point out that not all research succeeds in providing measurable benefits, and he gave several examples from his own research. He also acknowledged the support and collaboration he has enjoyed throughout his career from scientists in a wide range of disciplines.
Looking to the future, Dr Ridsdill-Smith expressed concern that more funding should be made available for ecological research to provide the detailed understanding of pest insects which is essential to deliver advances in pest control and to get closer to delivering optimum production in pastures.

Dr James Ridsdill-Smith being presented with the Howard Medal.