On Friday the 10th of October, the Centre for Biological Control had 8 graduates. We are proud of you all and wish you a successful future! Congratulations to you and your families for all your hard work. It paid off!
The five Masters in Science graduates are:
BESSINGER, Rochelle, BScHons (Rhodes), in Entomology, with distinction, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Evaluating the impact of the biological control agent, Megamelus scutellaris Berg (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), on Pontederia crassipes Mart. (Pontederiaceae) (water hyacinth) senescence and detritus formation at Hartbeespoort Dam. Supervisor: Professor JA Coetzee.
LUPHONDO, Kurhula Califonia, BScHons (Rhodes), in Entomology, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Effect of netting on Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus for the management Of Thaumatotibia leucotreta in South Africa. Supervisor: Dr M Jukes. Co-supervisors: Professor S Moore (CRI) and Dr C Coombes.
MASALESA, Thoriso Vanessa, BSc (Wits), BScHons (Limpopo) in Entomology, with distinction, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. The effects of invasive alien aquatic plants on larval mosquito abundances and predation. Supervisor: Professor RJ Wasserman. Co-supervisor: Professor JA Coetzee.
NGXEKISA, Sifundo, BScHons (Rhodes), in Entomology, with distinction, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Evaluating the nature and mode of action of deterrents of false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Supervisor: Distinguished Professor MP Hill. Co-supervisors: Professor S Moore (CRI) and Dr C Coombes.
SEXTON, Wade Terence, BScHons (Rhodes), in Entomology, with distinction, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Prioritization of potential biocontrol agents for the invasive alien weed, Cylindropuntia pallida (Cactaceae) in South Africa and insights into the use of cochineal in future biological control programmes. Supervisor: Professor ID Paterson. Co-supervisor: Ms P Muskett.
And the three PhD graduates are:
BENNETT, Tahnee Tashia, MSc (Rhodes), in Entomology, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. The isolation, identification, and characterisation of novel insect viruses for the control of emerging and existing agricultural pests. Supervisor: Distinguished Professor MP Hill. Co-supervisors: Professor S Moore (CRI) and Dr M Jukes.
MNCIVA, Siyasanga Tracy, BScHons (UFH), MSc (Rhodes), in Entomology, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Integrated control of Water Hyacinth [(Pontederia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. (Pontederiaceae)] interactions between the biological control agent, Megamelus scutellaris Berg (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), and selected sublethal Glyphosate-based herbicide applications, South Africa. Supervisor: Professor JA Coetzee. Co-supervisor: Distinguished Professor MP Hill.
SEBOLA, Keneilwe Mmule, MSc (Wits), in Entomology, in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Management of Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) on the Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West, South Africa: An impact assessment. Supervisor: Professor JA Coetzee. Co-supervisor: Distinguished Professor MP Hill.