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

186 works between 1993 and 2025
All (186) Journal Article (136) Book Chapter (8) Conference Publication (34) Book (1) Other Outputs (7)

181 - 186 of 186 works

1996

Journal Article

Evidence for resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) subsp kurstaki HD-1, Bt subsp aizawai and abamectin in field populations of Plutella xylostella from Malaysia

Iqbal, M, Verkerk, RHJ, Furlong, MJ, Ong, PC, Rahman, SA and Wright, DJ (1996). Evidence for resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) subsp kurstaki HD-1, Bt subsp aizawai and abamectin in field populations of Plutella xylostella from Malaysia. Pesticide Science, 48 (1), 89-97. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9063(199609)48:13.0.CO;2-B

Evidence for resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) subsp kurstaki HD-1, Bt subsp aizawai and abamectin in field populations of Plutella xylostella from Malaysia

1996

Journal Article

Interactions between the fungal entomopathogen Zoophthora radicans Brefeld (Entomophthorales) and two hymenopteran parasitoids attacking the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L

Furlong, MJ and Pell, JK (1996). Interactions between the fungal entomopathogen Zoophthora radicans Brefeld (Entomophthorales) and two hymenopteran parasitoids attacking the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 68 (1), 15-21. doi: 10.1006/jipa.1996.0053

Interactions between the fungal entomopathogen Zoophthora radicans Brefeld (Entomophthorales) and two hymenopteran parasitoids attacking the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L

1995

Journal Article

Field and Laboratory Evaluation of a Sex-Pheromone Trap for the Autodissemination of the Fungal Entomopathogen Zoophthova Radicans (entomophthorales) by the Diamond-Back Moth, Plutella-Xylostella (lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae)

Furlong, MJ, Pell, JK, Choo, OP and Rahman, SA (1995). Field and Laboratory Evaluation of a Sex-Pheromone Trap for the Autodissemination of the Fungal Entomopathogen Zoophthova Radicans (entomophthorales) by the Diamond-Back Moth, Plutella-Xylostella (lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research, 85 (3), 331-337. doi: 10.1017/S0007485300036051

Field and Laboratory Evaluation of a Sex-Pheromone Trap for the Autodissemination of the Fungal Entomopathogen Zoophthova Radicans (entomophthorales) by the Diamond-Back Moth, Plutella-Xylostella (lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae)

1994

Journal Article

Examination of Stability of Resistance and Cross-Resistance Patterns to Acylurea Insect Growth-Regulators In-Field Populations of the Diamondback Moth, Plutella-Xylostella, From Malaysia

Furlong, MJ and Wright, DJ (1994). Examination of Stability of Resistance and Cross-Resistance Patterns to Acylurea Insect Growth-Regulators In-Field Populations of the Diamondback Moth, Plutella-Xylostella, From Malaysia. Pesticide Science, 42 (4), 315-326. doi: 10.1002/ps.2780420409

Examination of Stability of Resistance and Cross-Resistance Patterns to Acylurea Insect Growth-Regulators In-Field Populations of the Diamondback Moth, Plutella-Xylostella, From Malaysia

1994

Journal Article

Differential-Effects of the Acylurea Insect Growth-Regulator Teflubenzuron On the Adults of 2 Endolarval Parasitoids of Plutella-Xylostella, Cotesia-Plutellae and Diadegma-Semiclausum

Furlong, MJ, Verkerk, Rhj and Wright, DJ (1994). Differential-Effects of the Acylurea Insect Growth-Regulator Teflubenzuron On the Adults of 2 Endolarval Parasitoids of Plutella-Xylostella, Cotesia-Plutellae and Diadegma-Semiclausum. Pesticide Science, 41 (4), 359-364. doi: 10.1002/ps.2780410412

Differential-Effects of the Acylurea Insect Growth-Regulator Teflubenzuron On the Adults of 2 Endolarval Parasitoids of Plutella-Xylostella, Cotesia-Plutellae and Diadegma-Semiclausum

1993

Journal Article

Effect of the Acylurea Insect Growth-Regulator Teflubenzuron On the Endo-Larval Stages of the Hymenopteran Parasitoids Cotesia-Plutellae and Diadegma-Semiclausum in a Susceptible and An Acylurea-Resistant Strain of Plutella-Xylostella

Furlong, MJ and Wright, DJ (1993). Effect of the Acylurea Insect Growth-Regulator Teflubenzuron On the Endo-Larval Stages of the Hymenopteran Parasitoids Cotesia-Plutellae and Diadegma-Semiclausum in a Susceptible and An Acylurea-Resistant Strain of Plutella-Xylostella. Pesticide Science, 39 (4), 305-312. doi: 10.1002/ps.2780390409

Effect of the Acylurea Insect Growth-Regulator Teflubenzuron On the Endo-Larval Stages of the Hymenopteran Parasitoids Cotesia-Plutellae and Diadegma-Semiclausum in a Susceptible and An Acylurea-Resistant Strain of Plutella-Xylostella

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 - 2024
    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

    Proactive pest management of Spodoptera litura in Northern Australia cotton systems

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr James Hereward

  • 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

    Biology and ecology of Citrus Blossom Bugs in Avocados

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki, Dr James Hereward

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

    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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Ecosystem services of aerial insectivores in agricultural landscapes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Annabel Smith, Dr April Reside

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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