Insect Taxonomy Papua New Guinea

This caterpillar might be able to solve our plastic problem Wax worms found in beehives have the ability to biodegrade plastic shopping bags at uniquely high speeds, a study finds.

Insect photography was discussed and microscope photography was trialled by participants with the aim of obtaining clear images for diagnostic purposes. This is a small and portable and relatively inexpesnive Dinolite USB micorsope camera setup here. Sine, Goru, Grahame and Gabi (left to right)

The fourth and final NARI, UNSW, Australian Museum and PestNet Biodiversity Capacity Buidling Insect Diagnostics Workshop has now wrapped in Port Moresby at the end of May. The workshop was held at NAQIA HQ and was the largest so far with 37 participants coming from the Port Moresby district and further afield from Kimbe, Alotau, Vanimo and Lae, and one participant Fereti Atumurirava from the Pacific Community, Fiji. Institutions taking part included again NAQIA, NARI, FPDA and PNGFA and for the first time participants were welcomed from PAU, PNG OPRA, CPA and UPNG.

The workshop started out getting into the nuts and bolts of insect morphology, the basic knowledge required to be able to use diagnostic tools to identify insects. This was followed by a field day to collect insects and learn about different insect collecting techniques. The group travelled out to NARI’s Southern Regional Centre at Laloki, Central Province and collected insects in the agricultural fields and gardens and also from Eucalyptus savannah woodland onsite. The remainder of the week was spent practicing curation techniques (pinning and labelling insect specimens) and then identifying these insect collections to Order using the new Key to Insect Orders of PNG created under this project. Presentations and training also covered insect life histories and evolution, identification of larval insect specimens also using the key, insect micro-photography and resources for insect pest identification and pest management in the Pacific presented by Grahame Jackson of PestNet (including Plant Health Clinics in the Pacific). Participants also had the chance to use the PestNet Pacific Pests and Pathogens App on tablet devices that were made available. The app allows pest diagnostics based on crops or symptoms and contains factsheets for many common and important insect pests in PNG.

We thank NAQIA for their support in hosting and officially opening and closing the workshop and Amanda Mararuai and David Tenakanai for their support in the preparations and planning. We also thank special guests Professors Simon Saulei (UPNG), Lohi Matainaho (CEO Research Science and Technology) for their support and for addressing the group. We were also pleased to have media producer and director Megan Taureka-Andrew (Tok Didiman na Meri) along throughout the ween to document the workshop activities for broadcast across local media.

We thank Dr Sim Sar, Clementine Sesega, Benjamin Niangu, drivers Gabriel and Gurugu, Clifton Gwabu and all at NARI Laloki and Kilakila for all their support and organisation during the workshop week

Fourth NARI, UNSW, Australian Museum and PestNet Insect Diagnostics Workshop underway in Port Moresby this week 23 - 27th May 2016. NAQIA have been fantastic hosts for the workshop and we have started out getting into the nuts and bolts of insect morphology, the basic knowledge required to be able to use diagnostic tools to identify insects. This was followed by a great day at NARI Laloki on Tuesday of insect collecting in the agricultural fields and gardens and also from Eucalyptus savannah woodland onsite (the Aussies felt right at home). We thank NAQIA for their support in officially opening the workshop and Professors Simon Saulei (UPNG) and Lohi Matainaho (CEO Research Science and Technology) for addressing the group.

Updated PestNet app for Pacific Pests. There are 73 fact sheets of insect pests and beneficial insects. Update it on your phone or download it if you haven't already

The second of the NARI / UNSW Insect Diagnsotics training workshops, held in Madang, 22-26th June 2015 at the New Guinea Binatang Research Centre (BRC), Madang.

Participants included staff and students from education, government and industry organisations - BRC, CCI, NAQIA, FRI, DPI, UOG and RAI.

Thanks to all participants and the amazing staff and students at the Binatang Research Centre for hosting us and especially Vojtech Novotny (Centre Director), Bradley Gewa (Research Technician extraordinaire) and Joanne Kavagu (Centre Manager).

Into the unknown. I have to change this Page into a Group, and there is no easy way to do that, ie there is no Facebook function. It has to be done manually. So ...... And if anyone is a whizz on FB, let me know!

Will let you know how I go, if it's not obvious.

Images sent by Jonah Aranka, Coffee Industry Corporation, Research & Services Division. The betel nut was bought at Bumbu Market, Lae (28 March 2015), but possibly originated from Popondetta, Oro Province.

Another image from Robert Lei Geno. No details with this one.

We received this pic from Robert Kei Geno who said "I found this at Erap Trukai farm just outside Lae. The insect was found around the basal stem of a rice plant. I need help to identify it. Picture taken under my lab microscope at magnification x12.5 eyepiece.