Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCARB704 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Conduct an entomology research project

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCARB704 - Conduct an entomology research project
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct an entomology research project.This unit applies to individuals with broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge with depth in one or more disciplines or areas of practice and cognitive, technical and communication skills to demonstrate autonomy, well developed judgement and responsibility in undertaking complex self-directed work and learning to provide specialist advice and functions.The role involves the self-directed application of specialised knowledge in arboriculture with substantial depth in areas of tree pathology and entomology.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

It is an industry requirement that competency in this unit requires the identification by anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens, compiled into a collection of a minimum of one hundred (100) specimens of arboricultural concern or benefit from at least four (4) orders of insects. The collection may be digital and/or physical, correctly labelled and containing information on:

date of collection

location of collection

host where applicable

insect genus, and

species where possible.

It is an industry requirement that research projects and management strategies include two or more of the following inter-disciplinary programs, and must focus on a specified insect or closely related insect species:

Conceive, design, and implement safe and efficacious control strategies

Research and develop alternative management strategies

Investigate the longevity, infectivity, and virulence

Monitor and assess infestation levels of outbreaks

Design and implement biocontrol strategies using predators, parasitoids, and entomopathogenic fungi

Design and implement methods for monitoring and assessment of population dynamics and distribution of tree pest species

Conduct and evaluate a comparative ecological field study investigating efficacy and compatibility

Trial and research a management plan for a phytophagous insect

Trial and research a breeding program for a beneficial insect

Conduct research of three model systems to examine tritrophic effects of susceptibility

Design, implement, investigate, evaluate and report on tritrophic interactions

Investigate preference and survivability

Design projects investigating the subsequent risk analysis and tests required

Develop a tree pest survey strategy

Research and report on geographical or climatic distribution

Coordinate an international and domestic multidisciplinary collaborative research initiative

Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.

Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:

equipment:

computer

word processing software

internet connection

digital camera with macro

diagnostic tools including sounding hammer, trowel, probe, cordless drill

soil testing equipment

digital dissection microscope 10 -100x

compound microscope

microtome, staining and slide mounting equipment

slides and coverslips

temporary/permanent mountant

histochemical stains

materials:

entomology research paper

insect collection/database of pests and vectors

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

entomology vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current entomology skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed

Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Research Insects
  • Describe and identify anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens
  • Examine and describe the behaviour, ecology and nutrition of insect interaction with trees
  • Research annualised population and generational behaviour of insects
       
Element: Construct professional resource collections
  • Develop and document an insect collection
  • Construct database of tree pests and vectors
  • Compile host, climatic and geographic distribution data
  • Record and compile generational phenology
       
Element: Research and assess tree-pest and vector interactions
  • Research and identify natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects
  • Identify phytophagous and damaging insect-tree dynamics
  • Identify symbiotic/beneficial and insect-tree dynamics
  • Research physiology of tree resistance to insects
  • Research host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions
  • Evaluate conditions associated with the selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects and the factors associated with successful attack
  • Research and assess insect transmission of disease
  • Evaluate multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids from a systems approach
       
Element: Evaluate control systems
  • Determine economic costs of insects
  • Evaluate insects as environmental indicators
  • Determine insect biological hazards
  • Investigate direct and indirect impact and effects of chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents on target and non-target organisms
  • Research insect resistance to pesticides
  • Investigate fungi as biological control agents of tree pests
  • Evaluate biological control methods of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • Research and evaluate plant health management options to offset the effects of insect damage
       
Element: Present results
  • Collect, tabulate, and statistically analyse data for publications
  • Determine the relevance of the results to arboriculture
  • Compile and communicate research and test results in a research paper
  • Submit research paper to a professional technical peer-reviewed journal
  • Review feedback and amend where appropriate
  • Communicate key facts and conclusions to industry in an article published in a non-technical industry publication or via presentation to an industry training event
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Research Insects

1.1 Describe and identify anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens

1.2 Examine and describe the behaviour, ecology and nutrition of insect interaction with trees

1.3 Research annualised population and generational behaviour of insects

2. Construct professional resource collections

2.1 Develop and document an insect collection

2.2 Construct database of tree pests and vectors

2.3 Compile host, climatic and geographic distribution data

2.4 Record and compile generational phenology

3. Research and assess tree-pest and vector interactions

3.1 Research and identify natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects

3.2 Identify phytophagous and damaging insect-tree dynamics

3.3 Identify symbiotic/beneficial and insect-tree dynamics

3.4 Research physiology of tree resistance to insects

3.5 Research host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions

3.6 Evaluate conditions associated with the selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects and the factors associated with successful attack

3.7 Research and assess insect transmission of disease

3.8 Evaluate multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids from a systems approach

4. Evaluate control systems

4.1 Determine economic costs of insects

4.2 Evaluate insects as environmental indicators

4.3 Determine insect biological hazards

4.4 Investigate direct and indirect impact and effects of chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents on target and non-target organisms

4.5 Research insect resistance to pesticides

4.6 Investigate fungi as biological control agents of tree pests

4.7 Evaluate biological control methods of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

4.8 Research and evaluate plant health management options to offset the effects of insect damage

5. Present results

5.1 Collect, tabulate, and statistically analyse data for publications

5.2 Determine the relevance of the results to arboriculture

5.3 Compile and communicate research and test results in a research paper

5.4 Submit research paper to a professional technical peer-reviewed journal

5.5 Review feedback and amend where appropriate

5.6 Communicate key facts and conclusions to industry in an article published in a non-technical industry publication or via presentation to an industry training event

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:

describing and identifying anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens

examining and describe the behaviour, ecology and nutrition of insect interaction with trees

researching annualised population and generational behaviour of insects

constructing a database of tree pests and vectors

developing and documenting an insect collection

compiling host climatic and geographic distribution data

researching and identifying natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects

identifying phytophagous and damaging insect-tree dynamics

identifying symbiotic/beneficial and insect-tree dynamics

researching physiology of tree resistance to insects

researching host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions

evaluating conditions associated with the selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects and the factors associated with successful attack

researching and assess insect transmission of disease

evaluating multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids from a systems approach

determining economic costs of insects

evaluating insects as environmental indicators

determining insect biological hazards

investigating direct and indirect impact and effects of chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents on target and non-target organisms

researching insect resistance to pesticides

investigating fungi as biological control agents of tree pests

evaluating biological control methods of integrated pest management (IPM)

researching and evaluating plant health management options to offset the effects of insect damage

collecting, tabulating, and statistically analysing data for publications

determining the relevance of the results to arboriculture

compiling and communicate research and test results in a research paper

submitting research paper to a professional technical peer-reviewed journal

reviewing feedback and amend where appropriate

communicating key facts and conclusions to industry in an article published in a non-technical industry publication or via presentation to an industry training event.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens

behaviour, ecology and nutrition of insect interaction with trees

annualised population and generational behaviour of insects

database construction of tree pests and vectors

annualised population of insects

generational behaviour of insects

insect collections

generational phenology

host, climatic and geographic distribution data

natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects

phytophagous and damaging insect-tree dynamics

symbiotic/beneficial and insect-tree dynamics

physiology of tree resistance to insects

host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions

conditions associated with the selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects

factors associated with successful attack

insect transmission of disease

multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids from a systems approach

economic costs of insects

insects as environmental indicators

insect biological hazards

direct and indirect impact and effects of chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents

target and non-target organisms

insect resistance to pesticides

fungi as biological control agents of tree pests

biological control methods of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

plant health management options to offset the effects of insect damage

collection, tabulation, and statistical analysis of data for publications

compilation and communication of research and test results in a research paper

professional technical peer-reviewed journal

methods of reviewing and amending feedback

methods of communicating key facts and conclusions in articles and presentations

publishing in non-technical industry publications.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Research Insects

1.1 Describe and identify anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens

1.2 Examine and describe the behaviour, ecology and nutrition of insect interaction with trees

1.3 Research annualised population and generational behaviour of insects

2. Construct professional resource collections

2.1 Develop and document an insect collection

2.2 Construct database of tree pests and vectors

2.3 Compile host, climatic and geographic distribution data

2.4 Record and compile generational phenology

3. Research and assess tree-pest and vector interactions

3.1 Research and identify natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects

3.2 Identify phytophagous and damaging insect-tree dynamics

3.3 Identify symbiotic/beneficial and insect-tree dynamics

3.4 Research physiology of tree resistance to insects

3.5 Research host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions

3.6 Evaluate conditions associated with the selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects and the factors associated with successful attack

3.7 Research and assess insect transmission of disease

3.8 Evaluate multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids from a systems approach

4. Evaluate control systems

4.1 Determine economic costs of insects

4.2 Evaluate insects as environmental indicators

4.3 Determine insect biological hazards

4.4 Investigate direct and indirect impact and effects of chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents on target and non-target organisms

4.5 Research insect resistance to pesticides

4.6 Investigate fungi as biological control agents of tree pests

4.7 Evaluate biological control methods of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

4.8 Research and evaluate plant health management options to offset the effects of insect damage

5. Present results

5.1 Collect, tabulate, and statistically analyse data for publications

5.2 Determine the relevance of the results to arboriculture

5.3 Compile and communicate research and test results in a research paper

5.4 Submit research paper to a professional technical peer-reviewed journal

5.5 Review feedback and amend where appropriate

5.6 Communicate key facts and conclusions to industry in an article published in a non-technical industry publication or via presentation to an industry training event

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Describe and identify anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens 
Examine and describe the behaviour, ecology and nutrition of insect interaction with trees 
Research annualised population and generational behaviour of insects 
Develop and document an insect collection 
Construct database of tree pests and vectors 
Compile host, climatic and geographic distribution data 
Record and compile generational phenology 
Research and identify natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects 
Identify phytophagous and damaging insect-tree dynamics 
Identify symbiotic/beneficial and insect-tree dynamics 
Research physiology of tree resistance to insects 
Research host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions 
Evaluate conditions associated with the selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects and the factors associated with successful attack 
Research and assess insect transmission of disease 
Evaluate multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids from a systems approach 
Determine economic costs of insects 
Evaluate insects as environmental indicators 
Determine insect biological hazards 
Investigate direct and indirect impact and effects of chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents on target and non-target organisms 
Research insect resistance to pesticides 
Investigate fungi as biological control agents of tree pests 
Evaluate biological control methods of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 
Research and evaluate plant health management options to offset the effects of insect damage 
Collect, tabulate, and statistically analyse data for publications 
Determine the relevance of the results to arboriculture 
Compile and communicate research and test results in a research paper 
Submit research paper to a professional technical peer-reviewed journal 
Review feedback and amend where appropriate 
Communicate key facts and conclusions to industry in an article published in a non-technical industry publication or via presentation to an industry training event 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCARB704 - Conduct an entomology research project
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCARB704 - Conduct an entomology research project

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: