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

184 works between 1993 and 2025
All (184) Journal Article (138) Book Chapter (8) Conference Publication (34) Book (1) Other Outputs (3)

81 - 100 of 184 works

2019

Journal Article

Origins, divergence, and contrasting invasion history of the sweet potato weevil pests Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae) and Euscepes batatae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Asia-Pacific

Brookes, Dean R., Hereward, James P., Walter, Gimme H. and Furlong, Michael J. (2019). Origins, divergence, and contrasting invasion history of the sweet potato weevil pests Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae) and Euscepes batatae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Asia-Pacific. Journal of Economic Entomology, 112 (6), 2931-2939. doi: 10.1093/jee/toz198

Origins, divergence, and contrasting invasion history of the sweet potato weevil pests Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae) and Euscepes batatae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Asia-Pacific

2019

Journal Article

Spatial and temporal dynamics of the native banana-spotting bug, Amblypelta lutescens lutescens (Hemiptera: Coreidae), in avocado crops in North Queensland, Australia

Lindsay, Karel R., Zalucki, Myron P., Newton, Ian R. and Furlong, Michael J. (2019). Spatial and temporal dynamics of the native banana-spotting bug, Amblypelta lutescens lutescens (Hemiptera: Coreidae), in avocado crops in North Queensland, Australia. Journal of Economic Entomology, 112 (4), 1812-1820. doi: 10.1093/jee/toz084

Spatial and temporal dynamics of the native banana-spotting bug, Amblypelta lutescens lutescens (Hemiptera: Coreidae), in avocado crops in North Queensland, Australia

2019

Journal Article

Australian sugarcane soldier fly's salivary gland transcriptome in response to starvation and feeding on sugarcane crops

Etebari, Kayvan, Lindsay, Karel. R., Ward, Andrew L. and Furlong, Michael J. (2019). Australian sugarcane soldier fly's salivary gland transcriptome in response to starvation and feeding on sugarcane crops. Insect Science, 27 (4) 1744-7917.12676, 708-720. doi: 10.1111/1744-7917.12676

Australian sugarcane soldier fly's salivary gland transcriptome in response to starvation and feeding on sugarcane crops

2018

Journal Article

Small hive beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and the yeast, Kodamaea ohmeri: a facultative relationship under laboratory conditions

Amos, Brogan A., Hayes, Richard A., Leemon, Diana M. and Furlong, Michael J. (2018). Small hive beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and the yeast, Kodamaea ohmeri: a facultative relationship under laboratory conditions. Journal of Economic Entomology, 112 (2), 515-524. doi: 10.1093/jee/toy378

Small hive beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and the yeast, Kodamaea ohmeri: a facultative relationship under laboratory conditions

2018

Journal Article

Bringing Ecology Back: How Can the Chemistry of Indirect Plant Defenses Against Herbivory Be Manipulated to Improve Pest Management?

Furlong, Michael J., Ang, Gurion C. K., Silva, Rehan and Zalucki, Myron P. (2018). Bringing Ecology Back: How Can the Chemistry of Indirect Plant Defenses Against Herbivory Be Manipulated to Improve Pest Management?. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9 1436, 1436. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01436

Bringing Ecology Back: How Can the Chemistry of Indirect Plant Defenses Against Herbivory Be Manipulated to Improve Pest Management?

2018

Journal Article

Involvement of microRNA miR-2b-3p in regulation of metabolic resistance to insecticides in Plutella xylostella

Etebari, K., Afrad, M. H., Tang, B., Silva, R., Furlong, M. J. and Asgari, S. (2018). Involvement of microRNA miR-2b-3p in regulation of metabolic resistance to insecticides in Plutella xylostella. Insect Molecular Biology, 27 (4), 478-491. doi: 10.1111/imb.12387

Involvement of microRNA miR-2b-3p in regulation of metabolic resistance to insecticides in Plutella xylostella

2018

Journal Article

Management and population dynamics of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella): planting regimes, crop hygiene, biological control and timing of interventions

Li, Z., Furlong, M. J., Yonow, T., Kriticos, D. J., Bao, H., Yin, F., Lin, Q., Feng, X. and Zalucki, M. P. (2018). Management and population dynamics of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella): planting regimes, crop hygiene, biological control and timing of interventions. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 109 (02), 1-9. doi: 10.1017/S0007485318000500

Management and population dynamics of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella): planting regimes, crop hygiene, biological control and timing of interventions

2018

Journal Article

Landscape ecology and expanding range of biocontrol agent taxa enhance prospects for diamondback moth management. A review

Gurr, Geoff M., Reynolds, Olivia L., Johnson, Anne C., Desneux, Nicolas, Zalucki, Myron P., Furlong, Michael J., Li, Zhenyu, Akutse, Komivi S., Chen, Junhui, Gao, Xiwu and You, Minsheng (2018). Landscape ecology and expanding range of biocontrol agent taxa enhance prospects for diamondback moth management. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 38 (3) 23. doi: 10.1007/s13593-018-0500-z

Landscape ecology and expanding range of biocontrol agent taxa enhance prospects for diamondback moth management. A review

2018

Journal Article

Associations between the small hive beetle and the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri throughout the host life cycle

Amos, Brogan A., Leemon, Diana L., Hayes, Richard A., Cribb, Bronwen W. and Furlong, Michael J. (2018). Associations between the small hive beetle and the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri throughout the host life cycle. Journal of Economic Entomology, 111 (4), 1501-1508. doi: 10.1093/jee/toy121

Associations between the small hive beetle and the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri throughout the host life cycle

2018

Journal Article

Seasonal abundance of cotton thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) across crop and non-crop vegetation in an Australian cotton producing region

Silva, Rehan, Hereward, James P., Walter, Gimme H., Wilson, Lewis J. and Furlong, Michael J. (2018). Seasonal abundance of cotton thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) across crop and non-crop vegetation in an Australian cotton producing region. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 256, 226-238. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2017.12.024

Seasonal abundance of cotton thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) across crop and non-crop vegetation in an Australian cotton producing region

2018

Journal Article

An improved culturing method for opiine fruit fly parasitoids and its application to parasitoid monitoring in the field

Masry, Ayad, Furlong, Michael J., Clarke, Anthony R. and Cunningham, John Paul (2018). An improved culturing method for opiine fruit fly parasitoids and its application to parasitoid monitoring in the field. Insect Science, 25 (1), 99-108. doi: 10.1111/1744-7917.12403

An improved culturing method for opiine fruit fly parasitoids and its application to parasitoid monitoring in the field

2018

Conference Publication

The potential effect of karrikinolide (KAR(1)) in inducing resistance against Alternaria solani on tomato

Dakuidreketi, A., Aitken, E., Furlong, M. and Kochanek, J. (2018). The potential effect of karrikinolide (KAR(1)) in inducing resistance against Alternaria solani on tomato. International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP), Boston, Massachusetts, 29 July - 3 August 2018. St. Paul, MN, United States: American Phytopathological Society.

The potential effect of karrikinolide (KAR(1)) in inducing resistance against Alternaria solani on tomato

2018

Conference Publication

Introducing new open pollinated tomato cultivars in the Solomon Islands and Fiji for improved livelihoods and nutrition

Iramu, E., Pitakia, T., Mua, M., Furlong, M., Banuve, A., Beed, F., Atumurirava, F., Gharuka, M. and Keatinge, J. D.H. (2018). Introducing new open pollinated tomato cultivars in the Solomon Islands and Fiji for improved livelihoods and nutrition. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture - ISTTH2016, Cairns, QLD Australia, 20-25 November 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1205.15

Introducing new open pollinated tomato cultivars in the Solomon Islands and Fiji for improved livelihoods and nutrition

2017

Conference Publication

Modelling the population dynamics and management of diamondback moth: the role of climate, natural enemies and cropping patterns

Zalucki, M.P, Li, Z.Y., Yonow, T., Kriticos, D., Furlong, M.J. and Feng, X. (2017). Modelling the population dynamics and management of diamondback moth: the role of climate, natural enemies and cropping patterns. VII International Workshop on Management of of the Diamondback Moth and other Crucifer Pests, Bengalaru, India, 23-27 March 2015. Bangalore, India: UAS.

Modelling the population dynamics and management of diamondback moth: the role of climate, natural enemies and cropping patterns

2017

Conference Publication

Biological control of diamondback moth in a climate of change

Furlong, M.J., Zalucki, M.P., Shabbir, A. and Adamson, D.C. (2017). Biological control of diamondback moth in a climate of change. VII International Workshop on Management of of the Diamondback Moth and other Crucifer Pests, Bengalaru, India, 23-27 March 2015. Bangalore, India: UAS.

Biological control of diamondback moth in a climate of change

2017

Conference Publication

Know your enemies: suppression of Plutella xylostella and Crocidolomia pavonana by different predators in West Java, Indonesia

Murtiningsih, R. , Ridland, P.M., Cook, L.G. and Furlong, M. J. (2017). Know your enemies: suppression of Plutella xylostella and Crocidolomia pavonana by different predators in West Java, Indonesia. 5th International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods, Langkawi, Malaysia, 11-15 September 2017. Wallingford, United Kingdom: CABI International. doi: 10.1079/9781786394118.0139

Know your enemies: suppression of Plutella xylostella and Crocidolomia pavonana by different predators in West Java, Indonesia

2017

Journal Article

Effects of single and dual species herbivory on the behavioral responses of three thrips species to cotton seedlings

Silva, Rehan, Walter, Gimme H., Wilson, Lewis J. and Furlong, Michael J. (2017). Effects of single and dual species herbivory on the behavioral responses of three thrips species to cotton seedlings. Insect Science, 24 (4), 684-698. doi: 10.1111/1744-7917.12340

Effects of single and dual species herbivory on the behavioral responses of three thrips species to cotton seedlings

2017

Journal Article

Behavior as a mechanism of insecticide resistance: evaluation of the evidence

Zalucki, M. P. and Furlong, M. J. (2017). Behavior as a mechanism of insecticide resistance: evaluation of the evidence. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 21, 19-25. doi: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.05.006

Behavior as a mechanism of insecticide resistance: evaluation of the evidence

2016

Journal Article

Effect of the postfeeding interval on olfactory responses of thrips to herbivore-induced cotton plants

Silva, Rehan, Walter, Gimme H., Wilson, Lewis J. and Furlong, Michael J. (2016). Effect of the postfeeding interval on olfactory responses of thrips to herbivore-induced cotton plants. Insect Science, 23 (6), 881-892. doi: 10.1111/1744-7917.12252

Effect of the postfeeding interval on olfactory responses of thrips to herbivore-induced cotton plants

2016

Journal Article

Subsistence farmers’ management of infestations of the little fire ant in garden plots on Bauro, Makira Province, Solomon Islands

Fasi, John, Furlong, Michael J. and Fisher, Diana (2016). Subsistence farmers’ management of infestations of the little fire ant in garden plots on Bauro, Makira Province, Solomon Islands. Human Ecology, 44 (6), 765-774. doi: 10.1007/s10745-016-9856-3

Subsistence farmers’ management of infestations of the little fire ant in garden plots on Bauro, Makira Province, Solomon Islands

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

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    Impact of mosquito control programs on Australian native bees
    Mosquito and Arbovirus Research Committee
    Open grant
  • 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 - 2025
    Responding to emerging pest and disease threats to horticulture in the Pacific islands
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    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

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biology and ecology of Citrus Blossom Bugs in Avocados

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki, Dr James Hereward

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

    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

    Stingless bees and pesticides: identifying exposure pathways and lethal and sublethal effects

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Proactive pest management of Spodoptera litura in Northern Australia cotton systems

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Ecosystem services of aerial insectivores in agricultural landscapes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Annabel Smith, Dr April Reside

  • 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

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