Bioprotection
Dr Gonzalo Avila
Science Team Leader - Biological Control & Insect Rearing
Kia ora koutou, I am an applied entomologist with a degree in Forestry (BForSc) and Biosecurity/Biocontrol (MSc & PhD). I joined Plant & Food Research in 2015, where I currently lead the Biological Control & Insect rearing Team based at Mt Albert Research Centre. I have expertise in different aspects of biological control of insect pests including risk assessment of biological control agents (BCA), host-parasitoid interactions, insect behaviour, release and monitoring establishment of BCAs, as well as bioclimatic modelling . I led the world-first pre-emptive biocontrol research against the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), which contributed greatly to the approved (with controls) Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) application for release of Trissolcus japonicus in the event of a BMSB incursion in NZ. My current research focuses in the location, risk assessment (incl. pre-emptive approaches), release and evaluation of natural enemies for the control of insect pests.
