Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Test Detects Resistant Green Peach Aphids In Lupins, Francoise Berlandier, Ian Dadour

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Confirmation of insecticide resistance in green peach aphid in Western Australia's lupin crops means farmers will have to choose insecticides much more carefully to control this pest. Resistance within an aphid population varies, and when resistant aphids are no longer exposed to insecticides, they may revert back to being susceptible in as little as one generation. Furthermore, when these revertant populations are exposed to the same insecticides in the future, resistance quickly reoccurs. In this article, the authors discuss a test to determine the extent of insecticide resistance in green peach aphid and how to manage it.

Wildlife Corridors In The Wheatbelt, Richard Hobbs, Denis Saunders

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Native vegetation in the Western Australian wheatbelt now persists mostly in small areas that remained uncleared for various reasons. (See 'Remnant vegetation on farms is a valuable resource' on page 43.) On their own, most of these remnant areas are difficult to manage, and too small to retain viable populations of many of the birds and other animals found in the wheatbelt. These patches of vegetation can be linked by wildlife corridors, which may increase the ability of the wildlife to move about and persist in the area

Fisheries Research Report No. 89 - Relationships Among Partial And Whole Lengths And Weights For Western Australian Pink Snapper Chrysophrys Auratus (Sparidae), M. J. Moran, C. Burton

Fisheries Research Reports

Pink snapper, Chrysophrysauratus (Sparidae) is one of the major commercial and recreational fish in Western Australian inshore waters. This report presents a number of equations and conversion factors for management and scientific study of the species. Equations to calculate total lengths from partial lengths will facilitate enforcement of minimum legal lengths when snapper are landed in a "head-off" condition. For fisheries science purposes, there are equations to convert among total length, standard length and length to caudal fork; and to convert lengths and weights of processed fish to whole lengths and weights. Length-weight relationships are presented and compared with those …

Monitoring Western Australia's Rangelands, Ron Hacker, David Beurle, George Gardiner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Rangelands, native pastures used for grazing domestic livestock, occupy about 100 million hectares or 40 per cent of Western Australia, extending from the tropical grasslands of the Kimberley to the arid shrub steppe of the Nullarbor Plain.

The rangelands are characterized by highly variable seasonal conditions. Carrying capacity can fluctuate dramatically from year to year. Grazing management requires a tactical approach from one season to the next because of the great variation in the capacity of the land to support stock.

Rangeland monitoring provides pastoralists with objective information on these changes to assist their management decision making. The Western Australian …

Fisheries Research Report No. 84 - The Marine Open Shelf Environment: Review Of Human Influences, D. A. Hancock

Fisheries Research Reports

For the purpose of this review, the marine environment has been classified into three physical zones - the littoral zone, the open-shelf environment and the coral reef. Since the boundaries are arbitrary, there will inevitably be some overlap, but for this review the subject matter will be related to the area between low water of ordinary spring tides and the edge of the continental shelf; i.e., to a depth varying to 200 metres.

Human influences may have a dual role in affecting the marine environment, firstly in a causative manner and secondly in providing a remedy, in which case the …

Fisheries Research Report No. 92 - Spread Of The Introduced Yabbie Cherax Albidus Clark, 1936 In Western Australia, N. M. Morrissy, G. Cassells

Fisheries Research Reports

This report presents information on the probable original introduction of the eastern Australian yabbie to farm dams in the Wheat-belt Region of the southwest of Western Australia (in 1932 at Narembeen); the probable type of yabbie (the "White Yabby", Cherax albidus Clark 1936 ) and source (Miram Swamp in the Victorian Wimmera); and, in 1985, the first voicing of concern over the spread of yabbies to natural habitats, particularly in the higher rainfall region of the southwest, together with current national and international concerns and advice on introduced aquatic species.

Commercial harvesting ("extensive" aquaculture) of existing yabbie stocks in wheat-belt …

The Benefits Of Weaning Cattle In The Kimberley, David Pratchett, Stuart Young

Animal production and livestock research reports

The Kimberley region was populated with Shorthorn cattle from Queensland and New Sonth Wales in the 1880's. The descendants of these cattle known as Kimberley Shorthorn are still the predominant breed in the region. The relatively poor performance of these cattle under the harsh Kimberley conditions and the fact that changing the genotype can improve productivity was recently published (Pratchett D. WADA Journal No. 4 1988)

While the adoption of Bos indicus breeds is the correct move, improved husbandry can also increase the productivity of the Kimberley Shorthorn cow. The majority of cattle in the Kimberley are not weaned. Sometimes …

Biological Control Of Paterson's Curse, John Dodd, Bill Woods

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The long- delayed biological control programme for the weed Paterson's curse (Echium plantagineum) has begun with the release of the leaf mining moth (Dialectica scalariella)' an insect slightly bigger than a mosquito. Yhe caterpillar stage of the moth feeds inside the leaves, producing tunnels and chambers which damage the leaf.

The leaf mining moth has already become established in suitable areas. Although the familiar purple haze of Paterson's curse will continue to be seen for years to come, we expect that the leaf mining moth - and other agents yet to be released - will make it a more manageable …

Fisheries Management Paper No. 21 - Commercial Fishing Licensing In Western Australia., Fisheries Department Of Western Australia.

Fisheries Management Papers

The purpose of this paper is to provide those in the fishing industry, as well as those planning to enter the industry, with a statement on the policies on boat licences, boat replacements and transfers, limited and restricted entry licences and licence splitting as they apply to the fisheries managed under the Western Australian Fisheries Act. The pearling industry, which is managed under another Act, is not included.

Draft Management Plan For The Perth Metropolitan Purse Seine Fishery, P. Millington

Fisheries Management Papers

As part of a development strategy for inshore purse seine fishing along the Western Australian coast this plan proposes management measures for the purse seine fishing boats operating along the coast near the greater Perth Metropolitan area. Using as a basis the restricted entry Cockburn sound purse seine fishery, the plan proposes the introduction of a limited entry regime for inshore purse seine fishing between Lancelin to just south of Mandurah. This regime will permit management of the available pelagic fish stocks in the area and also protect the economic position of the existing participants by providing an environment for …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The Ashburton River Catchment, Western Australia, A A. Mitchell, A L. Payne, W F. Holman

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Ashburton River catchment, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1976 and 1978, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed …

The South West Trawl Fishery Draft Management Plan., P. J. Millington

Fisheries Management Papers

This paper outlines a proposal for management of trawl fisheries operating in waters less than 200m deep between the Moore River north of Perth and Cape Leeuwin. Off Fremantle, potential and actual user conflicts between trawling and the requirements of recreational fishing and other forms of commercial fishing point to the need to gradually phase out trawling in this area. A limited entry fishery, with no licence transferability, is therefore proposed.

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia, A L. Payne, G F. Spencer, P J. Curry

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Carnarvon Basin, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1980 and 1982, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers …

A Survey Of Drench Resistance In Sheep Worms, J R. Edwards, R. Wroth, G. C. De Chaneet, R. B. Besier, J. Karlsson, P. W. Morcombe, D. Roberts, G. Dalton-Morgan

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Sheep worms which are resistant to chemical drenches have been detected with increasing freuency is Western Australia's south-western farming areas between 977 and 1980. These worms have anthelmintic resistance and such genetis resistance puts essential internal parasite control practices at risk.

This prompted veterinarians in the Esperance, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton and Northam areas to survey farms to determine the prevalence of resistance to drenches and to define those sheep management practices which encourage its development.

This article describes the survey which was conducted to assess the extent of drench resistance, what causes its build-up and how it can be controlled …

Rabbits North Of Carnarvon, D R. King

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In Westeern Australia rabbits are mainly a pest along the south-western coastal parts of the State, but there are populations north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Rabbits after crossing the Nullarbour plain from South Australia and colonising the South-West of the State, were reported to have reached the west coast near Geraldton by 1912 and then spread northwards.

There is little information on the biologhy of rabbits in the northan parts of their range, but pastoralists in some areas are concerned about erosion and damage to vegetation on their stations when rabbits reach high numbers.

The Agricultural Protection Board undertook …

Keeping Starlings Out Of W.A, John L. Long

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In Europe and North America huge flocks of starlings cause millions of dollars worth of damage to grain and fruit crops each year and large sums of money are spent trying to control them.

Starlings were introduced into australia in the late 1890s when more than 200 birds were released near Melbourne. They are now well established over much of eastern Australia, ranging from central Queensland, south to Tasmania and along the Great Australian Bight to the South Australian-Western Australian border, occasionally crossing it and sometimes moving as far west as the Esperance region on the south coast.

Some people …

Skeleton Weed : How Serious A Threat In Western Australia?, F D. Panetta, J. Dodd

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Skeleton weed is probably the most serious weed ever to threaten the Australian wheat industry. It interferes with wheat cropping at two stages: through competition with the growing crop, particularly for nitrogen and water during the crop's development: and later through the production of a tall, wiry flowering stem which tangles in harvesting machinery and can make harvesting difficult, if not impossible.

The weed is a major problem in eastern Australia although a combination of cultural, chemical and biological control programmes is helping to reduce its impact.

In Western Australia, skeleton weed is being contained mainly by eradication efforts. Weed …

Algal Growth And The Phosphorus Cycle, Arthur J. Mccomb, K. S. Hamel, A. L. Huber, D. K. Kidby, R. J. Lukatelich

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Larger algae and microscopic phytoplankton foul the waters of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system, upsetting the fishery and polluting the beaches.

These aquatic plants grow in response to phosphorus runoff from drainage, trapping phosphorus in the estuary and using it in their growth. When they die this phosphorus remains in the system to be recycled for further plant growth.

Algal pollution in the estuary can be lessened by reducing the amount of phosphorus entering the system, increasing phosphorus losses to the ocean, or in some way blocking the trapping and recycling processes.

Tackling The Problem Off The Farm, C M. Croft

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Methods of redusing phosphorus losses from the catchment soils of the Peel-Harvey esturine system have been discussed in other articles in this Journal.

This article briefly discusses a range of 'off the farm' techniques to improve phosphorus flushing from Peel Inlet or Harvey Estuary to the sea and to treat the phosphorus and the algae. These techniques were among more than 100 management options evaluated by the Peel-Harvey Study Group.

Fisheries Report No 34 - The Status Of The Salt-Water Crocodile In The Glenelg, Prince Regent And Ord River Systems, Kimberley, Western Australia, A. A. Burbidge, H. Messel

Fisheries Research Reports

Counts were made of Salt-water Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in the estuarine portions of the Glenelg, Prince Regent and Ord River systems of the Kimberley Division, Western Australia. During the survey 581 crocodiles were seen, including 143 hatchlings. The number of non-hatchling crocodiles in present the Glenelg system is estimated to be 200 to 259, in the Prince Regent 190 to 246 and in the Ord 235 to 306 (95% confidence limits).

The number of non-hatchling crocodiles present in the six Kimberley river systems now counted is estimated to be between 957 and 1243 (95% confidence limits) and we believe that …

New Dung Beetles At Work In Western Australia, T J. Ridsdill-Smith

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Two kinds od dung beetles are active in the agricultural areas of Western australia. In one group are the native beetles which are mainly active in winter, and in the other group are beetles introduced from overseas. The introduced beetles are mainly active in summer and have already produced some spectacular results

Sand Dune Project Stabilises Erosion, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Read how the Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service and the Department of Conservation and Environment worked with the Rockingham Shire to upgrade the road and protect the sand dunes.

Aspects Of The Ecology Of Fish And Commercial Crustaceans Of The Blackwood River Estuary, Western Australia, R.C. J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Bulletins

Beach seine nets, set or mesh nets, otter trawls and plankton nets were used to sample fish and commercial crustaceans every two months over the period March 1974 to March 1975, and again in July 1975 at a number of stations throughout the Blackwood River estuary, Western Australia.

The Control Of Annual Ryegrass, Geoffrey A. Pearce, J. E. Holmes

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A valuable pasture plant - one of the worst weeds if cereal crops - host to a potent animal disease toxin.....annual ryegrass is the subject of intensive studies by the Department of Agriculture.

This article reviews current research into the control of annual ryegrass in crops.

Emus On The Move : 1976, Michael T. Sexton

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The greatest migration of emus in recent times came out of the ZMurchison and Gascoyne pastoral areas during the winter of 1976. The emus were driven south-westerly by an instinctive search for food.

The Agriculture Protection Board's barrier fences stoped the wave of emus on the fringes of the wheatbelt, causing a congregation estimated in mid June to total 50,000 birds.

This article reviews the reason behind the emu migration and the policies employed to deal with such a situation.

Biological Control Of Insects On The Ord. 1. Production Of Sitotroga Cerealella For Mass Rearing Of Trichogramma Wasps, M Grimm, P. J. T. Lawrence

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Department of Agriculture entomologists have developed a technique for the production and collection of eggs of the Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella) for mass-rearing the parasitic waspTrichogramma pretiosum Riley.

Trichogramma is giving promising results in trials aimed at developing biological control of insect pests in the Ord River Irrigation Area.

Fish And Crustacea Of The Western Australian South Coast Rivers And Estuaries, R.C. J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Bulletins

A one year survey was undertaken to provide a preliminary check list of the fish fauna of the Western Australian south coast rivers and estuarine systems. Crustaceans collected during the survey were also included in the check list.

Biological Control Of Heliothis In Sorghum, P J. Michael

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

This research looks at Biological control of Heiiothis in sorghum, a preliminary report.

W.A. Wildflowers Are Unique, Alexander S. George

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Western Australian wildflowers are some of the most unusual and fascinating in the world. Of the 3,000-odd species growing in the southwest, about 85 per cent, grow nowhere else in the world.

Planting And Care Of Trees In The Wheatbelt, F Batini

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE climate of South Western Australia includes a long summer drought which subjects trees to considerable moisture stress.

Shade trees and shelter belts can be established successfully in the wheatbelt without hand watering, provided a suitable site and variety of tree is selected and a little time is spent in site preparation and care of the young tree.

This article, which is adapted from a Forests Department publication "Catalogue of Trees for growing under Western Australian conditions", sets out the best varieties of trees and establishment methods.