Professor Christopher Weldon is an Associate Professor in Applied Entomology at the University of Pretoria (UP). He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Newcastle in Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Environmental Science (honours) and the Dean’s Medal. He has been pursuing research at UP since he was appointed as a lecturer in Applied Entomology in 2012.

Prof Weldon says his field of research would contribute to the betterment of the world because human health and livelihoods often intersect with the activities of insects. Using a foundation in insect behaviour, ecology and physiology, his research aims to address these interactions, whether negative or beneficial, with a focus on flies but also insect pests of horticulture. Results from these studies inform sustainable management practices that can reduce reliance on pesticides but may also facilitate the beneficial use of flies.

He leads a research group of postgraduate students at honours, master’s and PhD level. “We pursue projects on the traits that make fruit flies destructive and invasive pests; the behaviour and movement of fruit flies that damage our fruit for consumption and exports; the biology and management of mosquitoes and other blood-feeding flies that affect human and animal health; and the use of flies for bioconversion of organic waste to promote a sustainable, circular economy,” Prof Weldon explains.
New research that the professor and his research group have been working on over the past 18 months has been the practical interventions that can be used by hotels to reduce mosquito abundance, the nuisance of mosquito bites and the potential spread of diseases. Such practical interventions will improve the experience of hotel guests and encourage tourism.

Prof Weldon and his group have also done research on how body condition and environment affect fruit fly attraction to lures and movement in the field; the diversity, abundance, and damage caused by thrips in avocado and macadamia orchards; and how to improve surveillance of invasive pests of citrus. All this work is being done in partnership with South African horticulture industries as well as international organisations to improve the productivity and competitiveness of South African horticulture.
His advice to school learners or undergraduates who are interested in his field is to read widely about the diversity and importance of insects. There are plenty of interesting and reputable sites featuring that kind of content, Prof Weldon says, such as Entomology Today, as well as great books on insects in southern Africa. He also suggests they join a society like the Entomological Society of Southern Africa or the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa to learn more about insects from experts and have opportunities to work with them. “Register for an undergraduate degree programme in Entomology like UP’s BSc Entomology, he adds, “and be sure to take the right subjects in school to be admitted.”