Research interests

• DNA barcoding of insects and fungi
• Higher-level molecular phylogenetics of Lepidoptera (Noctuidae, Lymantriidae)
• Applied insect molecular systematics and phylogeography (Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Diptera)

Background

Andrew Mitchell manages the department’s biotechnology research on marker assisted selection for field crops, molecular diagnostics of plant pathogens and insects, and molecular systematics.

He was trained in South Africa, the USA and Canada, and joined NSW DPI in 2004 on a NSW BioFirst Award.

He has broad research interests but current projects include DNA barcoding of plant pests and pathogens.

Qualifications

• BScHons
• MSc (Natal)
• PhD (Maryland)

Current projects

• DNA barcoding of Australian Lepidoptera (http://www.lepbarcoding.org/campaign_aust.php)
• DNA barcoding of Australian leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
• Molecular systematics and DNA barcoding of Lymantria (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)
• DNA barcoding of Australian scarab beetles
• Higher-level phylogeny of noctuoid moths (esp. Noctuidae and Lymantriidae)

Recent Publications

Assefa Y, Mitchell A, Conlong DE & Muirhead K. The establishment of Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in sugarcane fields of Ethiopia and the origin of the founding population. Journal of Economic Entomology (accepted).

Ponsie ME, Mitchell A, Edwards TJ and Johnson SD (2007) Phylogeny of Bonatea (Orchidaceae: Habenariinae) based on molecular and morphological data. Plant Systematics and Evolution 263: 253–268.

Getachew MA, Mitchell A, Gurr GM, Fletcher MJ, Pilkington LJ, Nikandrow A & Elliott E (2007) First report of a “Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense”-related strain in lucerne (Medicago sativa) in Australia. Plant Disease 91: 111.

Assefa Y, Mitchell A & Conlong DE (2006) Phylogeography of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Annales de la Société entomologique de France 42: 331-337.

Mitchell A, Mitter C & Regier JC (2006) Phylogeny of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera): Evidence from nuclear protein-coding genes. Systematic Entomology 31: 21-46.

Mitchell A & Samways MJ (2005) DNA evidence that the morphological ‘forms’ of Palpopleura lucia (Drury) are separate species (Odonata: Libellulidae). Odonatologica 34: 173-178.

Mitchell A, McClay A, Pohl GR & Sperling FAH (2005) PCR-based methods for identification of two species of Eteobalea (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae) used as biological control agents of weedy Linaria species. The Canadian Entomologist 137: 129-137.

Masters JC, Anthony N, de Wit MJ & Mitchell A (2005) Phylogenetic relationships of the Lorisidae using a combined molecular and morphological data set. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 127: 465-480.

Mitchell A, Sperling FAH & Hickey D (2002) Higher level phylogeny of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae): mtDNA data support a derived placement for Toxorhynchites. Insect Systematics and Evolution 33: 163-174.

Mitchell A, Mitter C & Regier JC (2000) More taxa or more characters revisited: combining data from nuclear protein-encoding genes for phylogenetic analyses of Noctuoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera). Systematic Biology 49: 202-224.

Professional associations and activities

• Society of Systematic Biologists

Fields of Research

• 060411 Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics
• 060301 Animal Systematics and Taxonomy
• 060309 Phylogeny and Comparative Analysis
• 050202 Conservation and Biodiversity

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• DNA barcoding
• molecular systematics
• Lepidoptera
• insect pests

Contact details