Professor Michael Furlong
Professor

Michael Furlong

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54822

Background

My research focuses on the biological control and integrated management of insect pests. Understanding the ecological and biological relationships between insects and their natural enemies (pathogens, parasitoids and predators) and the interactions between these natural enemies is fundamental to effective biological control and is central to my research. Strategies which manipulate natural enemies to enhance their impact on pest populations are under development, examples include

  • Integration of biological stressors and fungal entomopathogens for improved control of insect pests
  • Reduced insecticide inputs combined with the provision of adult food sources to enhance endemic parasitoid performance
  • Utilizing inducible plant defences to manipulate pests and improve the effectiveness of natural enemies.

Externally funded research projects concentrate on the development of sustainable pest management strategies for insect pests in developing countries. In Indonesia the structure and function of the natural enemy complexes attacking the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and the cabbage cluster caterpillar (Crocidolomia pavonana) are being determined. In Samoa the biology and ecology of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis is being investigated and the possibility of its release as a biological control agent of C. pavonana in Fiji, Tonga and Solomon Islands explored. Research in Fiji is focused on quantifying field resistance of the diamondback moth to commonly used insecticides. An insecticide resistance management strategy has been developed and will be implemented in collaboration with UN-FAO.

Availability

Professor Michael Furlong is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Crop and pasture production Horticultural production Zoology

Search Professor Michael Furlong’s works on UQ eSpace

174 works between 1993 and 2024
All (174) Journal Article (132) Book Chapter (8) Conference Publication (30) Book (1) Other Outputs (3)

1 - 20 of 174 works

Featured

2024

Journal Article

Pest management research is not geared toward transformability

Melo, Maria C., Wyckhuys, Kris A. G., Dhoj, G. C. Yubak and Furlong, Michael J. (2024). Pest management research is not geared toward transformability. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8 1375065, 1-6. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2024.1375065

Pest management research is not geared toward transformability

Featured

2020

Journal Article

Ecological pest control fortifies agricultural growth in Asia–Pacific economies

Wyckhuys, Kris A. G., Lu, Yanhui, Zhou, Wenwu, Cock, Matthew J. W., Naranjo, Steven E., Fereti, Atumurirava, Williams, Frances E. and Furlong, Michael J. (2020). Ecological pest control fortifies agricultural growth in Asia–Pacific economies. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 4 (11), 1522-1530. doi: 10.1038/s41559-020-01294-y

Ecological pest control fortifies agricultural growth in Asia–Pacific economies

Featured

2017

Journal Article

Climate change and biological control: the consequences of increasing temperatures on host–parasitoid interactions

Furlong, Michael J. and Zalucki, Myron P. (2017). Climate change and biological control: the consequences of increasing temperatures on host–parasitoid interactions. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 20, 39-44. doi: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.03.006

Climate change and biological control: the consequences of increasing temperatures on host–parasitoid interactions

Featured

2016

Journal Article

Biology, ecology, and management of the diamondback moth in China

Li, Zhenyu, Feng, Xia, Liu, Shu-Sheng, You, Minsheng and Furlong, Michael J. (2016). Biology, ecology, and management of the diamondback moth in China. Annual Review of Entomology, 61, 277-296. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-010715-023622

Biology, ecology, and management of the diamondback moth in China

Featured

2015

Journal Article

Knowing your enemies: integrating molecular and ecological methods to assess the impact of arthropod predators on crop pests

Furlong, Michael J. (2015). Knowing your enemies: integrating molecular and ecological methods to assess the impact of arthropod predators on crop pests. Insect Science, 22 (1), 6-19. doi: 10.1111/1744-7917.12157

Knowing your enemies: integrating molecular and ecological methods to assess the impact of arthropod predators on crop pests

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Diamondback moth ecology and management: problems, progress, and prospects

Furlong, Michael J., Wright, Denis J. and Dosdall, Lloyd M. (2013). Diamondback moth ecology and management: problems, progress, and prospects. Annual Review of Entomology, 58, 517-541. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153605

Diamondback moth ecology and management: problems, progress, and prospects

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

Pigeon pea crop stage strongly influences plant susceptibility to Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2024

Journal Article

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) floral strips support natural enemies and maintain yields in organic green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) crops

Thurman, Jessa H. and Furlong, Michael J. (2024). Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) floral strips support natural enemies and maintain yields in organic green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) crops. Biological Control, 191 105476, 105476. doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105476

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) floral strips support natural enemies and maintain yields in organic green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) crops

2024

Journal Article

Transcriptome analysis reveals a diverse range of novel viruses in Australian Sugarcane Soldier Fly (Inopus flavus) larvae

Divekar, Gayatri, Colmant, Agathe M. G., Furlong, Michael J. and Etebari, Kayvan (2024). Transcriptome analysis reveals a diverse range of novel viruses in Australian Sugarcane Soldier Fly (Inopus flavus) larvae. Viruses, 16 (4) 516. doi: 10.3390/v16040516

Transcriptome analysis reveals a diverse range of novel viruses in Australian Sugarcane Soldier Fly (Inopus flavus) larvae

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

Ontogenetic changes in the feeding behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera larvae on pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) flowers and pods

2024

Journal Article

Hidden diversity within Beauveria and Metarhizium – Comparing morphology, barcoding, multilocus phylogenies and whole-genome sequences

Rizal, Leela M., Hereward, James P., Brookes, Dean R., Furlong, Michael J. and Walter, Gimme H. (2024). Hidden diversity within Beauveria and Metarhizium – Comparing morphology, barcoding, multilocus phylogenies and whole-genome sequences. Fungal Ecology, 67 101304, 101304. doi: 10.1016/j.funeco.2023.101304

Hidden diversity within Beauveria and Metarhizium – Comparing morphology, barcoding, multilocus phylogenies and whole-genome sequences

2024

Book Chapter

Introduction

Panwar, Neha, Bansal, Lukesh, Furlong, Michael and Kumar, Sarwan (2024). Introduction. Plant resistance to insects in major field crops. (pp. 1-12) edited by Sarwan Kumar and Michael Furlong. Singapore: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-7520-4_1

Introduction

2024

Other Outputs

Buckwheat-ArthropodSurveys-RawData-JHThurman

Thurman, Jessa and Furlong, Michael (2024). Buckwheat-ArthropodSurveys-RawData-JHThurman. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/847c0aa

Buckwheat-ArthropodSurveys-RawData-JHThurman

2024

Journal Article

Plant health clinics in the Pacific region and the role of regional universities

Fong-Lomavatu, Mereia, Ravuiwasa, Kaliova, Sar, Lilly, Geno, Robert, Ndrewou, Alois, Atu, Lawrence, Matapaza, Ricardo, Furlong, Michael J., Jackson, Grahame and Smith, Caroline (2024). Plant health clinics in the Pacific region and the role of regional universities. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 52 (4), 358-373. doi: 10.1080/01140671.2023.2278789

Plant health clinics in the Pacific region and the role of regional universities

2024

Book

Plant Resistance to Insects in Major Field Crops

Sarwan Kumar and Michael Furlong eds. (2024). Plant Resistance to Insects in Major Field Crops. Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-7520-4

Plant Resistance to Insects in Major Field Crops

2023

Journal Article

Exploiting asynchronous host-parasitoid emergence distributions to optimise insecticide applications and protect beneficial insects– a case study using the citrus gall wasp Bruchophagus fellis (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae)

Mo, Jianhua, Furlong, Michael J., Kirkland, Lisa S. and Stevens, Mark M. (2023). Exploiting asynchronous host-parasitoid emergence distributions to optimise insecticide applications and protect beneficial insects– a case study using the citrus gall wasp Bruchophagus fellis (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae). Crop Protection, 174 106428, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cropro.2023.106428

Exploiting asynchronous host-parasitoid emergence distributions to optimise insecticide applications and protect beneficial insects– a case study using the citrus gall wasp Bruchophagus fellis (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae)

2023

Journal Article

Generalist predators shape biotic resistance along a tropical island chain

Wyckhuys, Kris A. G., Leatemia, Johanna Audrey, Fanani, Muhammad Zainal, Furlong, Michael J., Gu, Baogen, Hadi, Buyung Asmara Ratna, Hasinu, Jeffij Virgowat, Melo, Maria C., Noya, Saartje Helena, Rauf, Aunu, Taribuka, Johanna and Gc, Yubak Dhoj (2023). Generalist predators shape biotic resistance along a tropical island chain. Plants, 12 (18) 3304. doi: 10.3390/plants12183304

Generalist predators shape biotic resistance along a tropical island chain

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

Diamondback moth egg susceptibility to rainfall: effects of leaf surface properties on the direct and indirect impact of simulated rain

2023

Journal Article

Synergistic interactions between three insecticides and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) in lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), larvae

Rice, Steven J. and Furlong, Michael J. (2023). Synergistic interactions between three insecticides and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) in lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), larvae. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 200 107974, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107974

Synergistic interactions between three insecticides and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) in lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), larvae

2023

Journal Article

Editorial: Integrating models into practice: the role of modelling in biocontrol and integrated pest management

Deere, Jacques A., Janssen, Arne, Furlong, Michael J. and Bonsall, Michael B. (2023). Editorial: Integrating models into practice: the role of modelling in biocontrol and integrated pest management. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 11 1243260. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1243260

Editorial: Integrating models into practice: the role of modelling in biocontrol and integrated pest management

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Supporting farming system adaptation to climate and biological threats (Project led by QDAF)
    Cotton Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Viruses to aid biological control of major root-feeding pests of sugarcane
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Impact of mosquito control programs on Australian native bees
    Mosquito and Arbovirus Research Committee
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Responding to emerging pest and disease threats to horticulture in the Pacific islands
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Towards more sustainable pest control strategies through a metagenomic survey of viral entomopathogens in canegrubs populations
    Sugar Research Australia Sugar Industry Research Awards
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Exploring the ecological underpinnings and leverage mechanisms for climate-resilient, Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW) suppressive cropping systems in the Asia-Pacific
    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Gender-differentiated impact study of the COVID-19 home gardening initiative/strategy for enhancement of food security in Fiji (ACIAR ARSF grant administered by UNE)
    University of New England
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Investigation into citrus blossom bugs in avocados
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Field and landscape management to support beneficial arthropods for IPM on vegetable farms (Horticulture Innovation Australia grant administered by Charles Sturt University)
    Charles Sturt University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Feeding behaviour of Soldier fly (Inopus rubriceps (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)) larvae and the effects on sugar cane
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    Integrated Crop management strategies for root and tuber crops: strengthening national and regional capacities in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Manipulation of regulatory microRNAs to supress insecticide resistance in the diamondback moth
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Creating a novel lure and kill device for Queensland Fruit Fly
    Plant Biosecurity CRC
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    An analysis of fruitspotting in bug activity in avocado crops from fruit-set to harvest
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    A multi-targeted approach to fruitspotting bug management
    New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2017
    Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Invasion ecology of thrips in relation to seedling cotton
    Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Controlled Environment Facilities for the Challenges of the 21st Century
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2010
    Optimising the Productivity of the Potato/Brassica Cropping System in Central and West Java
    Department of Agriculture and Food (Western Australia)
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Exploiting inducible plant signals for improved pest management
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Travel Grant - Canberra 13 - 15 December 2005
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2012
    Integrated Pest Management in a Sustainable Production System for Brassica Crops in Fiji and Samoa
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Travel - pre project development trip in fiji and Samoa
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Michael Furlong is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) - Helicoverpa armigera interactions: the potential for resistance and tolerance in integrated pest management

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sustainability of IPM adoption: Understanding and predicting farmers¿ pest management behaviour in Fiji

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synergistic interactions between insecticides and entomopathogenic fungi

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Ecology and management of the citrus gall wasp (Bruchophagus fellis)

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biology and ecology of Citrus Blossom Bugs in Avocados

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki, Dr James Hereward

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Chemical ecology and conservation biological control of fruitfully by the parasitoid, Fopius arisanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr James Hereward

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Proactive pest management of Spodoptera litura in Northern Australia cotton systems

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biology and ecology of Citrus Blossom Bugs in Avocados

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki, Dr James Hereward

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring entomopathogenic viruses for biological control of insect pests

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Sassan Asgari, Dr Kayvan Etebari

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring entomopathogenic viruses for biological control of insect pests

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Sassan Asgari, Dr Kayvan Etebari

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Michael Furlong directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biological control
  • Insect ecology
  • Insect pathology
  • Integrated pest management
  • Pest management

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au