![Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki](/sites/default/files/profiles/182.jpeg)
Overview
Background
The study of insect abundance and distribution.
I am an insect ecologist by "bent" and my students and I work on various applied and basic research areas. We generally take an individuals-process based approach to the study of insect abundance and distribution. We use various "model" systems to ask questions ranging from the effect of host chemistry on oviposition behaviour and early stage caterpillar survival, to the effects of learning on oviposition behaviour at a landscape level and the effects of climate on insect abundance. I prefer to work on Butterfly-plant interactions, particularly Monarchs and milkweeds.
A substantial amount of our applied research has been on the ecology and biology of Helicoverpa spp, the major pest of Australian field crops, and more recently Diamondback moth, a key pest of horticulture.
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Australian National University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University
Works
Search Professor Myron Zalucki’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Harmonia axyridis (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) as a potential biological control agent of the invasive soft scale, Sphaerolecanium prunastri (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) in native wild apricot forests
Zhang, Ping, Wang, Yuli, Deng, Bingdong, Ahmad, Munir, Zalucki, Myron P., Gao, Guizhen and Lu, Zhaozhi (2024). Harmonia axyridis (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) as a potential biological control agent of the invasive soft scale, Sphaerolecanium prunastri (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) in native wild apricot forests. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control, 34 (1) 28. doi: 10.1186/s41938-024-00790-8
2024
Journal Article
Host specificity of two co‐occurring nesting‐forms of the bag‐shelter moth <i>Ochrogaster lunifer</i> (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is congruent with there being cryptic species
Perkins, Lynda E., Uemura, Mizuki, Zalucki, Myron P. and Cook, Lyn G. (2024). Host specificity of two co‐occurring nesting‐forms of the bag‐shelter moth Ochrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is congruent with there being cryptic species. Austral Entomology, 63 (3), 406-412. doi: 10.1111/aen.12707
2024
Journal Article
Pruning can recover the health of wild apple forests attacked by the wood borer Agrilus mali in central Eurasia
Zhang, Ping, Li, Yifan, Wang, Ting, Zhang, Xin, Zhang, Yanlong, Xu, Hao, Jashenko, Roman, Dong, Zhaoke, Zalucki, Myron P. and Lu, Zhaozhi (2024). Pruning can recover the health of wild apple forests attacked by the wood borer Agrilus mali in central Eurasia. Entomologia Generalis, 44 (3), 545-552. doi: 10.1127/entomologia/2024/2297
2024
Journal Article
Landscape structure and composition affect aphid biological control in alfalfa fields, but regional differences prevail
Zhang, Xiang, Dong, Zhaoke, Wu, Qiong, Gagic, Vesna, Tomanovic, Željko, Zalucki, Myron P. and Lu, Zhaozhi (2024). Landscape structure and composition affect aphid biological control in alfalfa fields, but regional differences prevail. Entomologia Generalis, 44 (3), 535-544. doi: 10.1127/entomologia/2023/2320
2024
Journal Article
Pigeon pea crop stage strongly influences plant susceptibility to Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Volp, Trevor M., Zalucki, Myron P. and Furlong, Michael J. (2024). Pigeon pea crop stage strongly influences plant susceptibility to Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 117 (3) toae050, 973-981. doi: 10.1093/jee/toae050
2024
Journal Article
The new kid on the block in insect pest management: sprayable RNAi goes commercial
Yan, Junjie, Nauen, Ralf, Reitz, Stuart, Alyokhin, Andrei, Zhang, Jiang, Mota-Sanchez, David, Kim, Yonggyun, Palli, Subba Reddy, Rondon, Silvia I., Nault, Brian A., Jurat-Fuentes, Juan Luis, Crossley, Michael S., Snyder, William E., Gatehouse, Angharad M. R., Zalucki, Myron P., Tabashnik, Bruce E. and Gao, Yulin (2024). The new kid on the block in insect pest management: sprayable RNAi goes commercial. Science China Life Sciences, 67 (8), 1-3. doi: 10.1007/s11427-024-2612-1
2024
Journal Article
A theoretical framework to improve the adoption of green Integrated Pest Management tactics
Han, Peng, Rodriguez-Saona, Cesar, Zalucki, Myron P., Liu, Shu-sheng and Desneux, Nicolas (2024). A theoretical framework to improve the adoption of green Integrated Pest Management tactics. Communications Biology, 7 (1) 337, 337. doi: 10.1038/s42003-024-06027-6
2024
Journal Article
Night Warming Has Mixed Effects on the Development of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), in Southern China
Xu, Yangcheng, Chi, Haipeng, Shi, Mingyue, Lu, Zhaozhi and Zalucki, Myron P. (2024). Night Warming Has Mixed Effects on the Development of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), in Southern China. Insects, 15 (3) ARTN 180, 180. doi: 10.3390/insects15030180
2024
Journal Article
Ontogenetic changes in the feeding behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera larvae on pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) flowers and pods
Volp, Trevor M., Zalucki, Myron P. and Furlong, Michael J. (2024). Ontogenetic changes in the feeding behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera larvae on pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) flowers and pods. Plants, 13 (5) 696. doi: 10.3390/plants13050696
2024
Journal Article
Look but do not touch: the occurrence of venomous species across Lepidoptera
Battisti, Andrea, Walker, Andre.A., Uemura, Mizuki, Zalucki, Myron.P., Brinquin, Anne-Sophie, Caparros-Megidos, Rudy, Gachet, Emmanuel, Kerdelhué, Carole and Desneux, Nicolas (2024). Look but do not touch: the occurrence of venomous species across Lepidoptera. Entomologia Generalis, 44 (1), 29-39. doi: 10.1127/entomologia/2023/2295
2024
Journal Article
Comparative assessment of a novel fan box trap for collecting <i>Anopheles farauti</i> and culicine mosquitoes alive in tropical north Queensland, Australia
Chow, Weng K, Cooper, Robert D, Lokhorst, Matthew, Zalucki, Myron P, Ambrose, Luke and Beebe, Nigel W (2024). Comparative assessment of a novel fan box trap for collecting Anopheles farauti and culicine mosquitoes alive in tropical north Queensland, Australia. Journal of Medical Entomology, 61 (2), 491-497. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjad156
2023
Journal Article
Large male caterpillars are the primary builders: exploring tent construction and foraging behaviour in gregarious pine processionary caterpillar
Uemura, Mizuki, Zalucki, Myron P. and Battisti, Andrea (2023). Large male caterpillars are the primary builders: exploring tent construction and foraging behaviour in gregarious pine processionary caterpillar. Insects, 14 (10) 829, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/insects14100829
2023
Journal Article
Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins
Walker, Andrew A., Perkins, Lynda E., Battisti, Andrea, Zalucki, Myron P. and King, Glenn F. (2023). Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins. Proteomics, 23 (20) 2300204, e2300204. doi: 10.1002/pmic.202300204
2023
Journal Article
Long-term changes in pest resistance dynamics in China and Australia in response to the introduction of Bt cotton and patterns of insecticide use
Zhao, Huaizhi, Downes, Sharon, Bird, Lisa, Zalucki, Myron P, Fan, Yinjun, Xie, Zongming, Ahmad, Munir and Lu, Zhaozhi (2023). Long-term changes in pest resistance dynamics in China and Australia in response to the introduction of Bt cotton and patterns of insecticide use. Entomologia Generalis, 43 (3), 527-534. doi: 10.1127/entomologia/2023/1786
2023
Journal Article
Diamondback moth egg susceptibility to rainfall: effects of leaf surface properties on the direct and indirect impact of simulated rain
Rahman, Md Mahbubur, Zalucki, Myron P. and Furlong, Michael J. (2023). Diamondback moth egg susceptibility to rainfall: effects of leaf surface properties on the direct and indirect impact of simulated rain. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 171 (9), 704-715. doi: 10.1111/eea.13338
2023
Journal Article
Population modelling for pest management: a case study using a pest land snail and its fly parasitoid in Australia
Yonow, Tania, Kriticos, Darren J., Zalucki, Myron P., Mc Donnell, Rory J. and Caron, Valerie (2023). Population modelling for pest management: a case study using a pest land snail and its fly parasitoid in Australia. Ecological Modelling, 482 110413, 110413. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110413
2023
Journal Article
When is a refuge not a refuge? Using temporal host use and effective mating to inform resistance management of Bt crops in northwestern China
Lu, Zhaozhi, Panpan, Wang, Zhang, Juan, Xia, Deping, Baker, Geoff, Downes, Sharon, Xie, Zongming, Parry, Hazel and Zalucki, Myron P. (2023). When is a refuge not a refuge? Using temporal host use and effective mating to inform resistance management of Bt crops in northwestern China. Journal of Pest Science, 97 (2), 1-14. doi: 10.1007/s10340-023-01664-y
2023
Journal Article
Tracking switching behavior of Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) over 45 generations
Ghaemmaghami, Ehsan, Fathipour, Yaghoub, Bagheri, Abdoolnabi, Talebi, Ali Asghar and Zalucki, Myron P. (2023). Tracking switching behavior of Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) over 45 generations. Journal of Crop Protection, 12 (1), 29-42.
2023
Journal Article
Protected agriculture matters: Year-round persistence of Tuta absoluta in China where it should not
Liu, Xiao-xian, Yang, Minglu, Arnó, Judit, Kriticos, Darren J., Desneux, Nicolas, Zalucki, Myron P. and Lu, Zhaozhi (2023). Protected agriculture matters: Year-round persistence of Tuta absoluta in China where it should not. Entomologia Generalis, 44 (2), 1-9. doi: 10.1127/entomologia/2023/1784
2023
Journal Article
Worldwide tests of generic attractants, a promising tool for early detection of non-native cerambycid species
Roques, Alain, Ren, Lili, Rassati, Davide, Shi, Juan, Akulov, Evgueni, Audsley, Neil, Auger-Rozenberg, Marie-Anne, Avtzis, Dimitrios, Battisti, Andrea, Bellanger, Richard, Bernard, Alexis, Bernadinelli, Iris, Branco, Manuela, Cavaletto, Giacomo, Cocquempot, Christian, Contarini, Mario, Courtial, Béatrice, Courtin, Claudine, Denux, Olivier, Dvořák, Miloň, Fan, Jian-ting, Feddern, Nina, Francese, Joseph, Franzen, Emily K. L., Garcia, André, Georgiev, Georgi, Georgieva, Margarita, Giarruzzo, Federica, Gossner, Martin ... Millar, Jocelyn G. (2023). Worldwide tests of generic attractants, a promising tool for early detection of non-native cerambycid species. NeoBiota, 84, 169-209. doi: 10.3897/neobiota.84.91096
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Food utilization efficiency in neonates of a polyphagous caterpillar
Newly hatched caterpillars are a critical stage in the life cycle of butterflies and moths. Yet few studies have assessed how well first instars convert food intake into body mass.
-
Optimal foraging in Lepidopteran larvae - or sabotaging the right meal size
Caterpillars of the milkweed butterflies have to first sabotage the latex based defense system of their host plant before they can feed. Is the area isolated by vein snipping and trenching behaviour sufficient for a caterpillar to complete an instar?
-
Egg size and survival of first instar caterpillars on host plant
Species within the Lepidoptera lay eggs of different sizes. Generally the bigger the butterfly the bigger the egg, but not always. Is the survival of neonates on host plants related to initial egg size.
-
Caterpillar foraging when predators are around
Do caterpillars adjust there feeding behaviour in response to the presence of predators?
-
Pollen feeding in adult Lepidoptera: getting a nitrogen fix
Many adult butterflies and moths have pollen adhering to their mouth parts. Are they able to utilise the pollen as a food source?
-
Is there empty suitable habitat for plant feeding insects?
Ever wonder why there is so much greenery that is seemingly not eaten by insect herbivores? Is the food simply not suitable or is it not used for other reasons?
-
Metapopulation dynamics and the matrix revisited
Do butterflies use the matrix or is it just treacherous landscape?
-
Predicting potential range and abundance of invading species
How well can we "predict" the range and abundance of species that have recently established in new geographic locations?
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
A perimeter defence in Australian processionary caterpillars
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lyn Cook
-
Doctor Philosophy
Synergistic interactions between insecticides and entomopathogenic fungi
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
Doctor Philosophy
Factors shaping butterfly conservation on Australian islands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Salit Kark
-
Doctor Philosophy
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) ¿ Helicoverpa armigera interactions: the potential for resistance and tolerance in integrated pest management
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
Master Philosophy
Systematics of the processionally caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lyn Cook
-
Doctor Philosophy
Biology and ecology of Citrus Blossom Bugs in Avocados
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Hereward, Professor Michael Furlong
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The biology, ecology, and management of Processionary caterpillars Ochrogaster lunifer, primary agents of equine amnionitis & foetal loss (EAFL)
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Master Philosophy
The butterflies of the Torres Strait islands - a fauna in review
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lyn Cook
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
The role of food nutrition: effects on foraging behavior, dealing with plant secondary metabolites and parasites in Helicoverpa armigera larvae
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
The value of grasslands for pest suppression: an assessment of grassland refuge quality and their integration into agricultural landscapes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Survival of diamondback moth eggs and neonates: the effects of rainfall
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing the risk of establishment by the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (L.)(Diptera: Culicidae), through rainwater tanks in Queensland: back to the future.
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Master Philosophy
Necrophagous insects in Queensland and their potential use as forensic indicators.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lyn Cook
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
The risk of bluetongue virus introduction into northern Australia via the airborne spread of Culicoides midges from Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea
Principal Advisor
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Does Wolbachia modify dengue mosquito biology: Investigating effects of Wolbachia on Aedes aegypti behaviour, physiology and gene expression
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Reproductive biology of three invasive milkweed species in south-east Queensland
Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
The ecology and management of lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in eastern Australian broiler houses
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
LOCALISED OUTBREAKS OF BROWN PLANTHOPPER (NILAPARVATA LUGENS STAL) IN CAMBODIAN RICE ECOSYSTEMS: POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Principal Advisor
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
ECOLOGY OF TRICHOGRAMMA SPP. IN THE ORD RIVER IRRIGATION AREA AND THEIR ROLE IN COTTON IPM
Principal Advisor
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY OF SPIDERS IN CITRUS ECOSYSTEMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
Principal Advisor
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY OF THE PACIFIC DAMSEL BUG, Nabis kinbergii REUTER (HEMIPTERA: NABIDAE), IN COTTON FARMING SYSTEMS: TOWARDS 'REAL' IPM
Principal Advisor
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
THE USE OF PREDATORS FOR CONTROL OF HELICOVERPA SPP. IN GRAIN CROPS IN SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
Principal Advisor
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
Xylophagous insects: developments in feeding assays
Principal Advisor
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
RESISTANCE TO SORGHUM MIDGE AND MANAGEMENT OF PANICLE PESTS IN SORGHUM
Principal Advisor
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
The biology and characterisation of the ascoviruses (ascoviridae: ascovirus) of helicoverpa armigera hubner and helicoverpa punctigera wallengren (lepidoptera: noctuidae) in Australia
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Observations on the biology and ecology of Anopheles farauti in north Queensland, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nigel Beebe
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Herbivore-plant interactions: implications for the biological control of Harrisia martinii (Cactaceae) by Hypogeococcus species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Hereward, Professor Michael Furlong
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The effects of climate on the abundance and the geographic distribution of ticks in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong, Professor Stephen Barker
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Insect migration and conservation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller
-
2022
Master Philosophy
Responses of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum Riley to herbivore induced host plants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Aspects of temporal resource partitioning among dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of the Kizilirmak Delta on the Black Sea coast of Turkey
Associate Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Insect-plant interactions: oviposition and larval-feeding behaviour of diamondback moth
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Ecology and behaviour of Amblypelta lutescens lutescens Distant (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in avocado orchards.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Choice of feeding sites, growth and survival by Crocidolomia pavonana (F.)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Investigating the impacts of the natural enemy trichogramma chilonis ishii on populations of crocidolomia pavonana in Samoa
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2015
Master Philosophy
Diamondback moth resistance to commonly used insecticides and its management in Fiji
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Biology and ecology of Nisotra basselae on Abelmoschus manihot in Solomon Islands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Furlong
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Gaining more from invasive plant management than just weed control
Associate Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
The potential colonisation and establishment of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) as an arbovirus vector in eastern Australia
Associate Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
TOWARDS THE IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF PARTHENIUM WEED: COMPLEMENTING BIOLOGICAL CONTROL WITH PLANT SUPPRESSION
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
-
2010
Master Philosophy
The tale of the two shoals: How individual experience influences shoal behaviour
Associate Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of the biological control program of groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia L. Asteraceae)
Associate Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Plants, pests and pollinators: combining technologies to crack the odour code
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jimmy Botella
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Termite foraging interactions with a protective barrier system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barry Noller
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Designing and development of synthetic barrier materials for the protection of wooden structures against termites
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barry Noller
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
ESTABLISHMENT RISK MODELLING OF INVASIVE ORGANISMS: Solenopsis invicta AS A CASE STUDY
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki directly for media enquiries about:
- Insect behaviour
- Insect conservation
- Insect-plant interactions
- Pest management
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: