Research interests

• Ecology and management of pests of rice, citrus and stored grain
• Preservation of biodiversity in agricultural systems
• Aquatic toxicology
• Biological control and semiochemicals

Background

Mark Stevens joined NSW DPI in 1989 shortly after completing his PhD in insect systematics at the University of Sydney, and works primarily on pest management in irrigated crops, with a particular emphasis on rice.

The primary objective of his research is to develop reliable methods of pest control that reduce the dependence of farmers on broad-spectrum insecticides. Achieving this objective helps increase productivity, reduces input costs, and helps preserve biodiversity by reducing non-target chemical impacts.

His work in rice has involved bloodworms, water snails, oligochaete worms, and most recently, stink bugs. Recommendations to farmers arising from his research program have included crop rotation programs for the non-chemical management of snails and oligochaetes, and changes to bloodworm control programs that have reduced the chemical inputs required to control this pest by over 90%.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons), University of Sydney, 1984
• PhD, University of Sydney, 1989

Current projects

• Efficacy and water column persistence of copper sulphate applied to control the rice pest Isidorella newcombi (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) (RIRDC)
• Managing citrus gall wasps in southern citrus regions (HAL)

Recent Publications

Stevens MM, Warren GN, Mo J, 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, Burdett AS, Mudford EM, Helliwell S, Doran G (2011) The acute toxicity of fipronil to two non-target invertebrates associated with mosquito breeding sites in Australia. Acta Tropica 117:125-130.

Arnaiz OL, Wilson AL, Watts RJ, Stevens MM (2011) Influence of riparian condition on aquatic macroinvertebrates communities in an agricultural catchment in south-eastern Australia. Ecological Research 26:123-131.

Choung CB, Hyne RV, Stevens MM, Hose GC (2010) A low concentration of atrazine does not influence the acute toxicity of the insecticide terbufos or its breakdown products to Chironomus tepperi. Ecotoxicology 19: 1536-1544.

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

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

Mo JH, Stevens M, Liu DL, Herron G (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.

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

Wilson AL, Watts RJ, Stevens MM (2008) Effects of different crop management regimes on aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity in Australian rice fields. Ecological Research 23:565-572.

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

Professional associations and activities

• Member, Australian Entomological Society
• Member, Member of Editorial Board, and Business Manager, Entomological Society of New South Wales
  
• Symposium Organiser (Integrated Pest Management in Rice), International Congresses of Entomology, 2000, 2004, 2008.
• Adjunct Professor, Charles Sturt University

Fields of Research

• 070308 Crop and Pasture Protection (Pests, Diseases and Weeds)
• 070305 Crop and Pasture Improvement (Selection and Breeding)
• 050205 Environmental Management

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Rice and citrus entomology
• ecology
• integrated pest management
• stored grain
  
• ecotoxicology
• chemical ecology.