ENTOMOLOGY SECTION
Phone: +61 8 9368 3250
Email: dfcook@agric.wa.gov.au
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Cook, D. F. (BSc Hons Agriculture, PhD Entomology) - David currently is working in both horticultural and livestock entomology. This work encompasses western flower thrips (WFT), where as part of a National Program, he is heading the development of a chemical and cultural control strategy. In the area of livestock entomology, David is involved with sheep blowflies, dung beetles, nuisance flies and forensic diagnosis.
David completed his Honours degree on life history strategies in parasitic wasps and
then spent four years working out of both CSIRO and UWA on mating strategies in dung
beetles, with a strong emphasis on behavioural ecology. David joined DAWA soon after
completing his PhD in 1988 and commenced research into sheep blowflies
. Over the next 3 years David ran trials on flystrike insecticide developments in both
large scale field trials and the South Perth exposure house facility as well as examining
sheep blowfly population dynamics and efficiency of trapping methods. David left the
Agency for 2 years to take up a Postdoctoral Award with CSIRO in Canberra on mating
behaviour in the sheep blowfly. In this capacity he made numerous contacts with CSIRO
entomologists and leading behavioural ecologists. David gained an excellent understanding
of the sheep blowfly genetic control program as well as the development of flystrike
predictive models. David worked briefly on pasture pests before moving into horticultural
entomology where his main focus is on WFT control and management combining convential
chemicals with cultural control options. In addition, David is working jointly with UWA
and industry on an ARC-funded project looking at manipulation of WFT behaviour to improve
control methods.
