Home

Daniel Farrell

Harnessing nature’s defenders: the work of an upcoming banana entomologist

Daniel has worked as a technical officer since mid-2019, working with Plant pathologist, David East and Entomologist, Richard Piper. Before that, he gained his introduction to bananas working as a field officer with the Banana Extension team.

‘Working under the plant pathologist and entomologist really gives me the best of both the banana pest and disease worlds,’ Daniel said. ‘I love drawing connections between the two and developing my skills in integrated pest and disease management.  Every day there is always something new to learn from my mentors and that’s always exciting to me.  I’m also extremely looking forward to conducting more project work with beneficial insects (predators and parasites) in banana production systems’.

Daniel Farrell Researcher profile

Daniel Farrell
Technical officer
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Centre for Wet Tropics Agriculture
South Johnstone

Daniel was born and raised just northwest of Hobart, Tasmania, in the mountains of Collinsvale. He grew up helping in his parents’ vineyard and mostly looking after sheep and horses. His family spent a few transition years on the Gold Coast at Mt Tamborine, looking after a macadamia farm, before moving further north to Cairns in 2015.  

Daniel studied a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology and Ecology at James Cook University, at the Cairns campus. He started his Masters of Philosophy with James Cook University (JCU, Cairns Campus) in May of 2023. His thesis focuses on the mite predator ladybird, Stethorus fenestralis, looking to develop a methodology to mass-produce ladybirds for biological control and to explore the influences of pesticides on Stethorus populations.

On the weekend, you can normally find Daniel playing tabletop games with his friends or hunting down a new house plant and treats at the markets.

‘I’m also have a strong passion for my visual arts projects and like using my spare time as a creative outlet,’ Daniel said.

Daniel loves some banana bread fresh out of the oven with vanilla ice-cream topped with honey! But they are also a great snack on their own.