Entomology Commons^™

Insect Pests Of Lawns., D G. Shedley

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

Lawns provide a home for many and varied insects. Although a large number do little or no damage there are some which, if left unchecked, will make it impossible to maintain the grass in good condition.

SPRAYING with insecticides is not always the best answer to pest problems. Manuring, cutting and watering must be maintained at proper levels. In fact, if this is not done the attacks of at least some pests will be more severe.

Insect Pests Of Forests. 3. The Tuart Bud Weevil And The Gregarious Gall Weevil, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

THE group of beetles commonly known as weevils contains some of the most troublesome of all insect pests.

The best known is probably the wheat weevil, but many other forms attack stored products and growing plants.

Webworm And The Weather, J A. Button

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

FOR many years farmers have remarked on the cyclic occurrence of webworm outbreaks in their cereal crops.

Webworm, the State's most serious pest of cereals, has frequently assumed a role of major importance for one or two seasons, and then not been troublesome for a number of years.

A research programme being carried out by the Entomology Branch aims to give a better understanding of the effects of weather conditions on the seasonal incidence of webworm, and should lead to more effective control of this pest.

Control Of San Jose Scale, G D. Rimes

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

W ITH an export rejection rate in excess of 10,000 cases per year, the apple industry in W.A. is continually confronted with the problem of San Jose Scale control.

Some Experiments In Citrus Red Scale Control, G D. Rimes

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

THE red scale (Aonidiella aurantii Masc.) is widely distributed throughout the world but tends to be a serious pest in those countries with semi-arid climates such as California, South Africa, Palestine and Australia.

The home of the pest is probably China, but it has been known in Australia for over 70 years and it was from the continent that it was introduced into North America.

An Unusual Tick Fever Outbreak, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

EARLY in the summer of 1961 there was a series of unusual tick fever outbreaks on several poultry farms in the metropolitan area.

These outbreaks were unusual because no apparent vector (disease carrier) could be found.

Mulesing And Tailstripping : For The Prevention Of Fly-Strike, W L. Mcgarry

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

MULESING and tailstripping are basic to fly strike control.

During emergencies and bad fly waves they may need to be supplemented by temporary protective measures such as jetting and crutching.

Insect Pests Of Forests. 2. Tussock Moths And Bag-Shelter Moths, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

TWO native caterpillars which sometimes attract attention are the larvae of the tnssock moth and the bag-shelter moth.

Neither insect is a serious forest pest in Western Australia, but the tussock moth sometimes does restricted damage in orchards and home gardens and the bag-shelter caterpillars cause some defoliation of wattles and eucalyptus.

Insect Pest Of Forests. 1. Wood Boring Beetles, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

MANY different types of wood boring beetles are associated with timber and forest trees.

Some attack only dry seasoned wood, others prefer freshly felled logs, and others again choose the standing trees.

Successful Commercial Beekeeping, R S. Coleman

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

THE eye of the master fattens the cattle. One of the oldest farming proverbs this is as true of bee-keeping as any other branch of farming.

Careful husbandry is the basis of all successful bee-keeping; anything else is secondary.

The House Fly (Musca Domestica), Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

MANY insects are so commonly associated with man and his dwellings that they may almost be called domesticated.

In olden days the presence of these insects was accepted as a matter of course, but present knowledge shows that many of them can be important disease carriers while others may cause damage to food and clothing.

Honey Flora Calendar For January, R S. Coleman

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

A look at flora available in January.

Insect Pests And Their Control, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

METHODS of insect control are sometimes classified under the following four headings— Quarantine, Cultural Methods, Biological Control and Chemical Treatments.

Each method has its own particular part to play in preventing the spread and multiplication of insect pests and it is essential for maximum results that everyone— whether he be a commercial grower or a backyard gardener—has a general understanding of the principles involved.

The Argentine Ant In Western Australia, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

IN November, 1954, was commenced one of the most ambitious insect control schemes ever launched in Australia.

The pest concerned was the Argentine ant (Iridomvrmex humilis) and the authorised expenditure was at the rate of £105,000 per annum for five years.

Winter Pests In The Pasture, P N. Forte

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

ALTHOUGH the pests concerned in attacking winter pastures are known to most farmers a discussion of their control and relative importance will not be out of place.

The principal pests concerned fall into two groups. Firstly the red-legged earth mite and lucerne flea whose attacks are most noticeable soon after germination and secondly a group of caterpillars which appear about the same time and whose attack is not noticed until a large amount of damage has been done.

National Parks Of Western Australia, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

NATIONAL PARKS," says the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "are spacious land areas, essentially of primitive or wilderness character, that contain scenery and natural wonder so outstanding in quality that their preservation intact for the benefit, enjoyment and inspiration of the people, is a national concern."

Honey Flora Calendar For December, R S. Coleman

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

A look at flora available in December

New Recommendations For Fruit Fly Control, D G. Shedley

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

THE MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY (Ceratitis capitata Wied) is one of the most serious horticultural pests in Western Australia.

For more than 50 years growers of stone fruit and pears have not been able to relax their activities against this pest.

Despite all their action however, there have been many occasions when fruit losses have been very severe.

Insect Pests : Aphides, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

THE members of the aphis family are remarkable creatures both in structure and habits.

They are practically world-wide in their distribution and despite their small size and apparent fragility they thrive under a wide variety of conditions and are among the most prolific breeders in the animal kingdom

Spraying Guide For The Control Of Pests And Diseases Of Fruit Trees, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE following guide for the spraying of fruit trees has been prepared as a ready reference for fruit growers and as a seasonal reminder of control measures necessary to deal with orchard pests and diseases.

The charts have been kept as brief as possible consistent with supplying details of recommended materials, concentrations and time of application, and growers should comsult Departmental leaflets or Departmental officers for more detailed information.

Safflower : An Oil Crop For The Kimberleys, D F. Beech

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

EXPERIMENTS with irrigated safflower carried out at the Kimberley Research Station have shown that the crop is well adapted to the local conditions.

In recent years yields of 2,000 to 3,000 lb. per acre have been generally obtained. Oil content of the main variety under trial varied between 33 and 35 per cent.

Locally produced safflower oil could help to make the Australian paint industry largely independent of imports.

Safflower meal is a protein-rich concentrate and could have considerable impact on the Kimberley cattle industry.

Safflower is likely to play an important part in the early development of irrigation agriculture …

Fruit Fly, D G. Shedley

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

FRUIT fly control is compulsory! To obtain effective control of fruit fly it is necessary to combine strict orchard hygiene with bait spraying.

In addition, cover spraying with DIPTEREX will give extra protection to stone fruit and pears.

When the breeding powers of the fruit fly are considered it is easy to understand why home growers and orchardists need to fight a continual battle against this pest.

Insect Pests : Snails And Slugs, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

WHILE snails and slugs are not insects, they have been included in this series of articles, because the damage they cause is very similar to that caused by insect pests—and furthermore, the task of testing and recommending control measures is usually left to the entomologists.

Dried Fruit And Meal Insects, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

DRIED and preserved foodstuffs such as raisins, currants, oatmeal, nuts, and flour are often found to be "weevily" after long storage.

Strictly speaking, the term "weevily" should be applied only to material attacked by certain types of beetles, but the expression is now popularly used in connection with practically any insect infestation of stored products.

Fruit Fly Control With Rogor 40 And Lebaycid : Progress Report, D G. Shedley

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

THE Mediterranean fruit fly has been present in Western Australia for over 60 years and during that time many types of insecticides have been tested against the pest.

Traps and lures were amongst the earliest control measures adopted, but these gave way to sugar solutions poisoned with such materials as arsenic and sodium fluosilicate.

Insects And Mites Found Attacking Cereal Crops In Western Australia, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

ONE of the most important factors influencing Western Australian agriculture in the last 20 years has been the development of permanent pastures together with the associated practice of ley farming.

Although the increased use of pasture plants, and particularly subterranean clover, has increased the general fertility of many areas it has also accentuated various problems, including those relating to insect control.

Summer fallow was a strong deterrent to such pests as the red-legged earth mite, the lucerne flea, and webworm and these and several other creatures have shown a tendency to increase under new farming methods.

Kimberley Research Station : A Progress Report, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

INTEREST in the agricultural potential of the Kimberley region in Western Australia dates from its early exploration and settlement in the last century.

Several farming development schemes were considered for the area, but were never implemented.

This could be mainly attributable to lack of knowledge of agricultural potentialities, limitations of the local environment and ways of exploiting the local environment.

Up to the present the economy of the region is almost entirely based upon the extensive production of beef and to a lesser extent, wool.

Termites Or White Ants, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

TERMITES are commonly but erroneously called "white ants."

Actually they are more nearly related to cockroaches than to ants, but their general appearance and subterranean habits have given strong support to the popular designation.

They may be divided into two major groups from an economic point of view, viz., wood-dwelling and earth-dwelling termites.

Grasshoppers And Locusts In Western Australia, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

GRASSHOPPERS and locusts are among the most ancient enemies of the farmer, for they figured prominently in Biblical times, and periodically throughout the ages have devastated crops in all parts of the world.

Ticks Affecting Animals In Australia, J Shilkin

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

WHILE there are many external parasites affecting animals in Australia, information in regard to their geographical distribution and incidence is far from complete.

However, there is little doubt that the ticks, and in particular, the cattle tick, are the most important of these parasites in Australia.

We are fortunate that many species are not present in this country, as some of them are carriers of serious diseases of both man and animals.