Alison Matthews six-spotted mite research – online webinar

Alison Mathews is a research scientist in the Horticulture & Irrigated Agriculture division of the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) based at Manjimup in Western Australia.

Alison is currently leading a project on six-spotted mites in Western Australian avocados funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia. The aim of the project is to develop sampling methods, identify risk periods and test management tools for growers including the use of mite predators. The project began in 2019 and is due for completion this year.

Alison has a degree in agriculture from the University of Tasmania and took honours in entomology. She joined the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in 2006 and has worked on salinity management, vegetable crop nutrition and irrigation. Alison is now focussed on pest management in horticulture and has worked on projects with the pome fruit, olives, wine grape and truffle industries.

Earlier this year NZ Avocado and Plant & Food Research hosted Alison on a visit to New Zealand, where the aim was to better understand the life-cycle of six-spotted mite here and its management. Given the significant interest we received in Alison’s research, we’re hosting a follow-up online webinar. Alison will provide information on her findings, challenges and management strategies used in Western Australia.

Please register for the webinar below.

Zoom webinar link

To join the webinar, please click the following link:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82157547860

Key information for attendees

• Once you’ve clicked on the webinar link, Zoom may ask you to enter your name and email address.
• As an attendee, your video will be turned off and your microphone will be muted when you join the meeting.
• Your face will not be visible, however you will be able to see and hear all the discussion.
• If you wish to ask Alison or NZ Avocado a question throughout the webinar, please do so through the Zoom ‘Q&A’ button on your screen. Questions will be addressed following Alison’s presentation.
• A recording of the webinar will be made available on the NZ Avocado website. This information will be communicated via an upcoming Avoconnect.