Assessment Requirements for AHCARB704 Conduct an entomology research project

Release: 1

Assessment Requirements for AHCARB704 Conduct an entomology research project

Modification History

Release	TP Version	Comment
1	AHCv1.0	Initial release

Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:

describing and identifying anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens

examining and describe the behaviour, ecology and nutrition of insect interaction with trees

researching annualised population and generational behaviour of insects

constructing a database of tree pests and vectors

developing and documenting an insect collection

compiling host climatic and geographic distribution data

researching and identifying natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects

identifying phytophagous and damaging insect-tree dynamics

identifying symbiotic/beneficial and insect-tree dynamics

researching physiology of tree resistance to insects

researching host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions

evaluating conditions associated with the selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects and the factors associated with successful attack

researching and assess insect transmission of disease

evaluating multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids from a systems approach

determining economic costs of insects

evaluating insects as environmental indicators

determining insect biological hazards

investigating direct and indirect impact and effects of chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents on target and non-target organisms

researching insect resistance to pesticides

investigating fungi as biological control agents of tree pests

evaluating biological control methods of integrated pest management (IPM)

researching and evaluating plant health management options to offset the effects of insect damage

collecting, tabulating, and statistically analysing data for publications

determining the relevance of the results to arboriculture

compiling and communicate research and test results in a research paper

submitting research paper to a professional technical peer-reviewed journal

reviewing feedback and amend where appropriate

communicating key facts and conclusions to industry in an article published in a non-technical industry publication or via presentation to an industry training event.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens

behaviour, ecology and nutrition of insect interaction with trees

annualised population and generational behaviour of insects

database construction of tree pests and vectors

annualised population of insects

generational behaviour of insects

insect collections

generational phenology

host, climatic and geographic distribution data

natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects

phytophagous and damaging insect-tree dynamics

symbiotic/beneficial and insect-tree dynamics

physiology of tree resistance to insects

host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions

conditions associated with the selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects

factors associated with successful attack

insect transmission of disease

multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids from a systems approach

economic costs of insects

insects as environmental indicators

insect biological hazards

direct and indirect impact and effects of chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents

target and non-target organisms

insect resistance to pesticides

fungi as biological control agents of tree pests

biological control methods of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

plant health management options to offset the effects of insect damage

collection, tabulation, and statistical analysis of data for publications

compilation and communication of research and test results in a research paper

professional technical peer-reviewed journal

methods of reviewing and amending feedback

methods of communicating key facts and conclusions in articles and presentations

publishing in non-technical industry publications.

Assessment Conditions

It is an industry requirement that competency in this unit requires the identification by anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insect specimens, compiled into a collection of a minimum of one hundred (100) specimens of arboricultural concern or benefit from at least four (4) orders of insects. The collection may be digital and/or physical, correctly labelled and containing information on:

date of collection

location of collection

host where applicable

insect genus, and

species where possible.

It is an industry requirement that research projects and management strategies include two or more of the following inter-disciplinary programs, and must focus on a specified insect or closely related insect species:

Conceive, design, and implement safe and efficacious control strategies

Research and develop alternative management strategies

Investigate the longevity, infectivity, and virulence

Monitor and assess infestation levels of outbreaks

Design and implement biocontrol strategies using predators, parasitoids, and entomopathogenic fungi

Design and implement methods for monitoring and assessment of population dynamics and distribution of tree pest species

Conduct and evaluate a comparative ecological field study investigating efficacy and compatibility

Trial and research a management plan for a phytophagous insect

Trial and research a breeding program for a beneficial insect

Conduct research of three model systems to examine tritrophic effects of susceptibility

Design, implement, investigate, evaluate and report on tritrophic interactions

Investigate preference and survivability

Design projects investigating the subsequent risk analysis and tests required

Develop a tree pest survey strategy

Research and report on geographical or climatic distribution

Coordinate an international and domestic multidisciplinary collaborative research initiative

Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.

Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:

equipment:

computer

word processing software

internet connection

digital camera with macro

diagnostic tools including sounding hammer, trowel, probe, cordless drill

soil testing equipment

digital dissection microscope 10 -100x

compound microscope

microtome, staining and slide mounting equipment

slides and coverslips

temporary/permanent mountant

histochemical stains

materials:

entomology research paper

insect collection/database of pests and vectors

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

entomology vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current entomology skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72