This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct an entomology research project requiring the collection and documentation of insects affecting trees. Important research themes to be investigated include the interrelationships of insects on their environment, forests and trees and the impact they have on economics, health of trees and the control strategies employed to contain infestations.

The unit applies to individuals with highly specialised advanced theoretical and technical knowledge for professional work and research in arboriculture. They exercise advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills and demonstrate complete autonomy, judgement and adaptability in research and analysis for complex problems.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements are to this unit at the time of publication.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has conducted entomological research with a focus in any two of the following research themes:

conception, design, and implementation of safe and efficacious control strategy

research and development of alternative pest management strategies

investigative study on the longevity, infectivity and virulence of tree pests

monitoring and assessment of infestation levels of a pest outbreak

design and implementation of biocontrol strategies using predators, parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi

design and implementation of methods for monitoring and assessing population dynamics and distribution of tree pest species

implementation of a comparative ecological field study investigating efficacy and compatibility of pest insect control strategies

research and test a management plan for a phytophagous insect

research and test a breeding program for a beneficial insect

research three model systems to examine tritrophic effects of tree susceptibility

design, implement, investigate, evaluate and report on tritrophic interactions

investigate preference and survivability of insects in a tree environment

design projects investigating the subsequent risk analysis and tests required

development of a tree pest survey strategy

research and report on geographical or climatic distribution of insect pests

coordination with an international and domestic multidisciplinary collaborative research initiative.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

investigated anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insects

examined the interaction of insects with trees

researched annualised population and generational behaviour of insects

developed and documented a reference collection of a minimum of one hundred specimens of arboricultural related insects and vectors from at least four orders of insects, annotated with the following:

date of collection

location where insect was collected

host tree/plant on which it was collected/feeds

name of insect to at least the level of genera

designed and developed a database to store information of tree pests and vectors

compiled host climatic and geographic distribution data

investigated and identified natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects

investigated phytophagous and damaging insect–tree dynamics

investigated symbiotic/beneficial insect–tree dynamics

investigated physiological responses of tree resistance to insects

investigated host–pathogen and pathogen–vector interactions

evaluated conditions affecting selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects and factors associated with attack

investigated and assessed insect transmission of disease

evaluated multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids

determined economic costs of insect damage to trees

evaluated insects as environmental indicators of health and condition

determined insect biological hazards

investigated impact and effects of control strategies on target and non-target organisms

investigated insect resistance to pesticides

investigated and evaluate biological control agents of tree pest control

researched and evaluated plant health management options to manage insect damage

collected, tabulated and analysed data for publications

determined relevance of results to arboriculture

compiled and communicated research and results in a research paper according to standards expected of professional technical peer-reviewed journal

submitted research paper for review

reviewed feedback from reviewer and amended paper

communicated key facts and conclusions to industry in an article or presentation.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

research skills and designing research projects, including:

investigative skills and monitoring techniques

defining the scope and purpose of research activity

data collection, management and storage

data processing, analysis and modelling

statistics and data interpretation

design and development of formal research papers and the process of peer-reviewed publication

design and development of industry papers and presentations for communication of research and findings

entomology and the impact of insects on our environment, including:

anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of different classes of insects

insect behaviour, ecology and nutrition and their interaction with trees

population and generational behaviour and phenology of insects and impact on plants and trees over time

host, climatic and geographic distribution of insects

insects as indicators of environmental health

collecting, storing and documenting insect reference collections, including:

catching and preserving techniques

taxonomic and naming conventions for insects

tagging and labelling specimens

design and construction of databases and data entry procedures

insects and their economic impact on society and health of trees, including:

natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects

phytophagous and damaging insects on tree dynamics

symbiotic and beneficial insects and impact on tree dynamics

natural responses of trees to insect invasion

host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions

subcortical feeding insects and conditions for selecting host trees

factors associated with successful attack

insect as a vector for transmission of disease

insects as biological hazards

a systems approach to multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen or parasitoids

pest insect control strategies, their advantages and disadvantages, including:

mechanical control

chemical control and pesticide resistance

biological control agents

managing the environment and tree health to offset infestations

integrated pest management (IPM)

direct and indirect impact of chemical pesticides and biocontrol agents on target and off-target organisms.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

trees and forests with insect populations

resources, equipment and materials:

computer with word processing, database and statistical analysis software

digital imaging device

diagnostic tools, including sounding hammer, trowel, probe, cordless drill

soil testing equipment

digital dissection microscope 10x – 100x

compound microscope

microtome, staining and slide mounting equipment

histochemical stains

specifications:

standard procedures and quality standards for performing tests and analysis

reference materials and keys for insect identification.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Arboriculture (ARB)