Dr Christopher Weldon

•  Jan 2010 
  Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Grant. Antenna response of gamma-irradiated
•  Jan 2008 
  Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Grant. Effects of irradiation on longevity o
•  Oct 2007 
  Horticulture Australia Ltd. R&D Grant. Maladaptation of sterile Queensland fruit flies used in SIT:
•  Jan 2007 
  Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Grant. Improved protocols for irradiation of

I am a postdoctoral research fellow currently working in the lab of Professor Steven Chown in the Centre for Invasion Biology at Stellenbosch University.

My current research at Stellenbosch University determines the thermal tolerance and desiccation resistance of invasive pest insects to establish whether tolerance of environmental extremes underlies their invasive potential, and to predict how climate change will influence their distribution. This work is being performed in collaboration with Dr John Terblanche and Casper Nyamukondiwa.

Much of my work has focused on identifying and removing impediments to the success of environmentally benign sterile insect technique (SIT) programs used to eradicate Queensland fruit fly outbreaks in areas of southern Australia. My PhD project determined how dispersal of Q-flies interacts with their mating system to limit establishment of outbreaks when low numbers invade new areas. My work undertaken at Macquarie University in the laboratory of Dr Phil Taylor focused on improving the ability of sterile flies released in SIT programs to survive and mate in the field. Despite their status as Australia’s most damaging insect pest of horticultural crops, the behaviour, ecology and physiology of Q-flies is poorly understood. My research addressed this important knowledge gap, particularly in relation to mating behaviour and microhabitat use.