Dr Anneke Veenstra
  Phone   +61 3 925 17667
Email   anneke.veenstra@deakin.edu.au
Position   Lecturer
Campus   Burwood
Research grouping   Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Biomolecular Sciences

My current research area is the taxonomy, phylogeny and ecology of gall midge species. Cecidomyiid
midges are plant pests both in Australia and overseas. They inhibit the growth and reproduction of
native plants. Despite many midges existing in Australia few have been formally described. For
formal description the midge’s appearance and biology are insufficient – DNA analysis is necessary.
Worldwide, DNA fingerprinting of Cecidomyiidae is in its infancy with few laboratories using this
technique

Research interests

  1. Taxonomy, phylogeny and ecology of gall midge species.
  2. Aquatic macroinvertebrate community responses to disturbance.


Key publications

Kolesik, P. and Veenstra-Quah (2008) New gall midge taxa (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Australian Chenopodiaceae. Australian Journal of Entomology 47, 213-224 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Pty Ltd, Australia

Veenstra-Quah, A.A., Milne, J. and Kolesik, P. (2007) Taxonomy and biology of two new species of gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) infesting Sarcocornia quinqueflora (Chenopodiaceae) in Australian saltmarshes. Australian Journal of Entomology 46, 198-206 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Pty Ltd, Australia

Veenstra-Quah, A.A. and Duke, G. (2007) ). Invertebrate drift in an Australian urban stream – Darebin Creek, Victoria Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 119, 89-103 The Royal Society of Victoria, Australia

View entire list of audited publications

 

Honours students

Student nameThesis title Colleen PeeleIntriguing Interactions - Asphondylia Gall Midges and their Fungal Symbionts. Clare BinekAssessing Balcombe Estuary - Application of the Victorian Index of Estuary Condition. Helen HutchinsonImpact of Disturbance on Macroinvertebrates Inhabiting Balcombe Catchment  

 

Teaching areas

Animal Biology, Environmental Management Techniques, Hydrology and Water Resources Management


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22nd September 2011