Postdoctoral Fellow
I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria hosted by Prof. Brett Hurley and Prof. Bernard Slippers. My research centers on pioneering augmentative biocontrol strategies for Euproctis terminalis, a native insect pest wreaking havoc on pine plantations. This project holds immense scientific significance and bears vital implications for South Africa's forestry sector.
Prior to my current project, I played a pivotal part in the National Forest Pest Surveillance system project, dedicated to bolstering Precision Pest Management within South African plantation forests. In the National Forest Pest Surveillance System project, I investigated leafroller diversity (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in South African forestry nurseries and plantations, reporting a new discovery of Strepsicrates sp. Additionally, I documented the first occurrence of the giant conifer aphid, Cinara pinivora (Wilson), and the Monterey pine aphid, Essigella californica (Essig) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in South Africa.
I have extensive experience and expertise in the systematics and management of plant parasitic nematodes. Additionally, I have hands on experience in utilizing entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents for various economically important agricultural insect pests.
My journey in academia has been fueled by a passion for tackling pressing ecological challenges and bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications in forestry conservation and agriculture.
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Bush S, Hurley BP. (2025) Host specificity and host stage preference of Psyllaephagus species (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) towards invasive eucalypt psyllids (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae). Agricultural and Forest Entomology 10.1111/afe.12679
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Hurley BP. (2024) Exploring the diversity of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) associated with eucalypts in South African forestry nurseries and plantations, with a new report of Strepsicrates sp.. Southern Forests 10.2989/20702620.2024.2394219
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Hurley BP. (2024) First report of the giant conifer aphid, Cinara pinivora (Wilson) and the Monterey pine aphid, Essigella californica (Essig) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in South Africa. Southern Forests 10.2989/20702620.2024.2394218
Makunde PT, Joubert JC, Slippers B, Hurley BP, Hammerbacher A. (2023) Leaf surface traits may influence host specificity in psyllids of Eucalyptus, Spondyliaspis cf. plicatuloides (Froggatt) and Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae). Chemoecology 10.1007/s00049-023-00387-x
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Bush SJ, Hurley BP. (2023) Biology of the invasive shell lerp psyllid, Spondyliaspis cf. plicatuloides (Froggatt) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae). African Entomology 10.17159/2254-8854/2023/a13747
Makunde PT, Dimbi S, Mahere TS, Banana S, Chinheya CC. (2021) Evaluation of an improved Katambora grass cultivar G HR1 for root-knot nematode management in tobacco. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 10.1080/02571862.2020.1849832
Makunde PT, Slippers B, Burckhardt D, de Queiroz DL, Lawson SA, Hurley BP. (2020) Current and potential threat of psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) on eucalypts. Southern Forests 10.2989/20702620.2020.1813650
Makunde PT, Dimbi S, Mahere TS. (2018) Leguminous crops as an alternative rotation with tobacco to control Meloidogyne javanica. Journal of Entomology and Nematology 10.5897/JEN2017.0192