Enhancing natural enemy mortality of chrysomelids in young eucalypt plantations through habitat manipulation

桉树种植园是澳大利亚林业的未来。 在桉树人工林中，食叶甲虫平均使树木生长减少53%，从而大大减少了利润。 这些害虫的可持续管理最好是通过最大限度地发挥本地有益因子的影响来实现的，例如黄蜂和蜘蛛。 这项研究将量化种植园中的益虫，并通过操纵种植园环境来提高它们的功效，从而提供更多这些益虫所需的资源（食物和住所）。这一方法意义重大，因为以前在林业中没有尝试过。 我们的管理建议将使种植园业更具盈利性和可持续性。

Eucalyptus plantations are the future of Australian forestry. In eucalypt plantations leaf-feeding beetles reduce tree growth by an average of 53%, substantially reducing profits. Sustainable management of these pests is best done by maximising the impact of native beneficial agents, eg wasps and spiders. This research will quantify the beneficial insects in plantations and increase their efficacy by manipulating the plantation environment so it provides more of the resources (food & shelter) these beneficials require. This approach is significant as it has not been previously attempted in forestry. Our management recommendations will make the plantation sector more profitable and sustainable.