University of the Sunshine Coast
A strain of roundworm discovered for the first time in Australian pine plantations during University of the Sunshine Coast-led research could become the timber industry’s latest biocontrol weapon.
UniSC Forest Research Institute’s Dr Helen Nahrung, who studied the worm in a collaboration across Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, said its natural dominance among other strains used to attack a notorious wood wasp pest (pictured right) was surprising and exciting.
“The unexpected identification of this nematode (worm) is hugely significant for science and industry,” said Dr Nahrung, who shares the discovery with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the University of Pretoria and Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute).
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