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。在桉树种植园，以叶为食的甲虫平均使树木生长减少53%，大大减少了利润。对这些害虫的可持续管理最好通过最大限度地发挥本地有益因素的影响来完成，例如黄蜂和蜘蛛。这项研究将量化种植园中的有益昆虫，并通过操纵种植园环境来提高它们的效力，从而提供这些受益者所需的更多资源(食物和住所)。这种方法意义重大，因为它以前从未在林业中尝试过。我们的管理建议将使种植园部门更有利可图和可持续发展。

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.