Contents Vol. 53 (Public)
These papers are currently only available to members of the Entomological Society of New South Wales, or directly from the author. They are also available through Informit at a small charge. Papers will be made freely available to all via this website one year after volume 52 is published in hard copy. Members should log in from the main menu (found under Membership drop-down menu) to access these papers.
GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
The Journal of the Entomological Society of New South Wales Inc.
VOLUME 53
CONTENTS
Utilising swarm traps to evaluate and control feral European Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) populations
Nguyen, K., Cutter, N. & Dominiak, B.C.
In June 2022, Varroa mite, Varroa destructor was detected in New South Wales in sentinel beehives located in the Port of Newcastle area. The National Management Group agreed to attempt eradication of Varroa mite from New South Wales. Feral European honeybees were recognised as a threat to the success of the eradication campaign. Based on published international research, we deployed 281 swarm traps to assess Varroa mite infestation and to attempt control of swarming feral bees with the intention to contain the natural spread of Varroa mite. Only two traps caught swarms and no Varroa mite was detected. We discuss the possible reasons for our unexpectedly low capture rates and recommend the use of larger swarm traps with earlier deployment strategies for future trapping programs.
General and Applied Entomology 53: 1-7 (published on-line 17.4.2025)
Moth trapping at Goonellabah 2480, NSW 2023-2024
Flumm, D.
Moth trapping in a Goonellabah garden near Lismore, NSW. Moth populations and diversity are discussed together with the impacts of climate change. Potential new species are noted.
General and Applied Entomology 53: 9-14 (published on-line 17.5.2025)
BOOK REVIEW- Australia Beetles Volume 3, Polyphaga (Part 2) Hermes E. Escalona, Adam Slipinski (Eds)
Review by Gillespie, P.
General and Applied Entomology 53: 15-16 (published on-line 22.7.2025)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE- Larval host plant of Phoracantha mitchelli (Hope) (Cerambycidae): A curiosity amongst Phoracantha
Webb, G.
Phoracantha mitchelli (Hope) is an obscure species not well represented in insect collections. It is known from coastal Queensland and its range appears to mirror that of its larval host plant Myrsine variabilis R.Br. Two specimens of P. mitchelli were reared from the root balls of two young plants (ca. 2m tall) at Miranda (NSW).
General and Applied Entomology 53: 17-18 (published on-line 27.9.2025)
Evaluating Fipronil residues and re-establishment success in managed hives following wild European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) eradication in New South Wales
Nguyen, K., Davy, P., Napiorkowski, E. & Dominiak, B. C.
Following the incursion of Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) in New South Wales, Australia, in June 2022, eradication was attempted to protect the honey bee related industries. A Biosecurity Emergency Order was established to destroy managed and feral European honey bees within Emergency Eradication Zones, using specialised bait stations and fipronil. Our study aimed to identify managed hives within 1.5 km of a bait station and assess if they were impacted by fipronil application, to determine any residual fipronil concentrations within the hive and evaluate re-establishment success. We found eleven apiaries that met the study requirements, three of which reported colony loss during the eradication program. One apiary reported three destroyed hives that may be attributed to fipronil application at a bait station 3.08 km away (fipronil from closest bait station showed no impact). A very low concentration of fipronil was detected within the hive but was below the limit of quantification. Another apiary reported the loss of two hives, coinciding with the application of fipronil at a nearby bait station (387 m); the apiary has since successfully re-established hives. The third apiary experienced colony loss well after eradication efforts had ceased and, therefore, we consider the apiary was unlikely impacted from fipronil application; the colony was successfully re-established. The remaining eight sites were unimpacted and fipronil residues were not detected by HPLC. Further research is warranted to determine if re-introduced hives to eradication zones are impacted by residual fipronil in the environment.
General and Applied Entomology 53: 19-25 (published on-line 27.9.2025)