The Open Entomology Journal

2011, 5 : 5-7
Published online 2011 April 14. DOI: 10.2174/1874407901105010015
Publisher ID: TOENTOJ-5-15

The Capacity of Groups within the Community to Carry out Plant Pest Surveillance Detection

Peter Mangano , Darryl Hardie , Jane Speijers , Richard Johnston , Maria J. de Sousa-Majer and Glynn Maynard
Entomology Branch, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.

ABSTRACT

A set of trial exercises was run to compare pest surveillance capabilities of the Department of Agriculture and Food’s entomology and plant pathology staff (all with some degree of field survey experience) with persons from various community groups. Information indicating a comparable level of confidence in the use of community members for surveillance, to complement professional staff capacity, is provided.