Research interests

• Insect ecology 
• Population dynamics/modelling
• Integrated pest management

Background

Dr Jianhua Mo is a senior Research Entomologist in field-vegetables and citrus. Since joining the Department in 2000, he has led and completed a series of national research projects on the IPM of citrus and vegetable pests including spined citrus bug (Birporulus bibax), light brown apple moth (Epipyas postvittana) and fuller’s rose weevil (Asynonychus cervinus) in citrus, and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) in onions. Currently he is working on the management of citrus gall wasp (Bruchopagus fellis). Research areas in these projects include pest population dynamics, temperature-dependant development, temporal and spatial distributions, mating disruption, sampling, dispersal, and insecticide efficacy. Aside from entomology, Dr Mo has contributed to the development of a climate change risk assessment tool with build-in GIS capability and a web-based climate companion for cereal farmers (Cropmate).

Prior to joining NSW DPI, Dr Mo worked on diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) dispersal and sampling techniques in Brassica crops; modelling of eucalypt tree dieback and spatial mapping; and, analysis of the distribution of a biological control agent of rubber vine, biology/ecology of red cedar tip moth (Hypsipyla robusta), and biological control of the masson pine caterpillar (Dendrolimus punctatus) with egg parasitic wasps.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. (Agric) Central-south University of forestry and technology (China), 1982 
• M.Sc. (Agric) - Central-south University of forestry and technology (China), 1985 
• PhD Forest Entomology Australian National University, 1996

Current and recent projects

• Title: Managing citrus gall wasp in southern citrus regions
  Role: Project leader
  Funding: Horticultural Australia (HAL): CT10021
  Period: 2010-2013
  
  
• Title: Managing pests of quarantine concern for citrus market access
  Role: Collaborator
  Funding: HAL: CT07045
  Period: 2008-2011
  
  
• Title: Best management options for onion thrips in onion
  Role: Project leader
  Funding: HAL: VN07000
  Period: 2007-2010
  
  
• Title: Fruit fly trapping project
  Role: Collaborator
  Funding: CRC for National Plant Biosecurity  (CRCNPB), 30039
  Period: 2007-2010
  
  
• Title: Development of a climate adaptation risk assessment tool in a GIS framework
  Role: Collaborator
  Funding: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  Period: 2007-2009
  
  
• Title: A scoping study of IPM compatible options for the management of key vegetable sucking pests
  Role: Collaborator
  Funding: HAL: CG06094
  Period: 2007-2008
  

Recent Publications

Stevens MM, Warren GN, Mo J, and Schlipalius DI (2011) Maintaining DNA quality in stored-grain beetles caught in Lindgren funnel traps. Journal of Stored Products Research 47: 69-75.

Stevens MM, Stanton RA, Wu H, Sampson B, Weir TA, Reid CAM, and Mo J (2010) Detection of Lema bilineata Germar (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Australia. General and Applied Entomology 39: 1-3.

Stevens MM, Mo J, and Gillespie PS (2010) Thrips (Thysanoptera) associated with rice crops in the Murrumbidgee irrigation area, New South Wales. General and Applied Entomology 39: 15-18.

Mo JH, Stevens M, Liu DL, Herron GA (2009) Investigating the Effect of Invasion Characteristics on Onion Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Populations in Onions With a Temperature-Driven Process Model. Environmental Entomology. 38(6):1575-1584.

Mo J, Munro S, Boulton A and Stevens M (2008) Within-plant distribution of onion thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in onions. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104: 1331-1336.

Herron GA, James TM, Rophail J, Mo JH (2008) Australian populations of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), are resistant to some insecticides used for their control. Australian Journal of Entomology. 47(Part 4):361-364.

Stevens MJ, Reinke RF, Coombes NE, Helliwell S and Mo J (2008) Influence of imidacloprid seed treatments on rice germination and early seedling growth. Pest Management Science, 64: 215-222.

Stevens MJ, McDonald F, Warren GN and Mo J (2008) Pentatomidae (Hemiptera) associated with rice crops in southeastern Australia. General and Applied Entomology, 37:1-5.

Mo J, Glover M, Munro S and GAC Beattie (2006) Development of Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on leaves and fruit of orange trees. Journal of Economic Entomology, 99: 1321-1326.

Mo J, Glover M, Munro S and GAC Beattie (2006) Evaluation of mating disruption for control of lightbrown apple moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in citrus. Journal of Economic Entomology, 99: 421-426.

Professional associations and activities

• Member of Australian Entomological Society.

Fields of Research

• 070308 Crop and Pasture Protection (Pests, Diseases and Weeds)
• 070603 Horticultural Crop Protection (Pests, Diseases and Weeds)
• 060207 Population Ecology  

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Citrus and vegetable entomology
• Insect ecology
• Integrated Pest Management