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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
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 |
Evidence of Performance
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.
Evidence of Knowledge
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.
Assessment Conditions
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
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)