The Entomological Society of NSW

The Entomological Society of NSW

The Entomological Society of NSW

Contents Vol. 30

GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY

The Journal of the Entomological Society of New South Wales Inc.

VOLUME 30

CONTENTS

BISHOP, A.L., MCKENZIE, H.J., BARCHIA„ I.M. and HARRIS, A.M. In vitro testing of chemicals for repellency against Culicoides brevitarsis (Kieffer) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) …………………………………………………………………………. 35

Culicoides brevitarsis is a biting midge and the main vector of the bluetongue and Akabane viruses, which impede the export of livestock from Australia.  Sixteen chemical products were tested for repellency against C. brevitarsis with an ‘in vitro’ technique using sprayed netting over light-traps.  Flyaway, Pyrethroid-T, deltamethrin and fenvalerate significantly reduced numbers caught in the traps.  These products are proposed for testing on animals or for acceptance as protectants on livestock to be moved to ports for export.  The test procedure was unsuitable for products with oil or paraffin bases as the midges were caught on nets.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 35-39

DOHERTY, W.M, JOHNSON, S.J. and REID. A.E. Suppression of Culicoides brevitarsis (Kieffer) Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on cattle in Queensland with Deltamethrin and Cypermethrin …………………………………………………. 45

To reduce the risk of arbovirus transmission when cattle are transported through areas of vector activity to ports for export, we examined the efficacy of buffalo fly treatments containing deltamethrin or cypennethrin on the vector, Culicoides brevitarsis.  Both chemicals significantly reduced the total numbers of C. brevitarsis on cattle from 8 h to 53 h after treatment.  Deltamethrin and cypermethrin gave similar reductions in blood-feeding from 8 h and 12 h after treatment respectively.  The data suggested that the chemicals’ primary effects were the reduction of landing and/or the time spent on the animals by C. brevitarsis rather than any specific effect on feeding.  Treatment with either deltamethrin or cypermethrin therefore reduced but did not eliminate the risk of arbovirus transmission by C. brevitarsis. The chemicals should be used in conjunction with other risk-reduction measures.  Treatment of cattle 8-24 hours before their exposure to risk would be preferable to avoid a period of poor protection immediately after treatment.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 45-47

DOMINIAK, B.C., RAFFERTY, T.D. and BARCHIA, I.M. A survey of travellers carrying host fruit of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), into a fruit fly free area in 1997-98 following the introduction of penalty notices …………………………………………………………………………………………..11

Eighty nine random roadblocks were conducted on the northern and eastern side of the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone during 44 days in 1997-98 to assess the risk posed by road travellers driving into and through the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.  Drivers of all vehicles stopped at roadblocks were surveyed and vehicles were inspected for fruit.  The 9,898 completed forms were analysed for trends according to types of travellers, origin and destination of travellers, roadblock sites, months of the year and fruit carried.  Generally, 14% of travellers carried fruit into the inspection points although there were significant differences within each risk group.  Travellers with New South Wales number plates carried significantly less fruit than cars from other States.  Retirees (23%) and families (16%) were the higher risk types of travellers.  Cars towing a caravan were more likely to carry fruit (43%) compared with cars without caravans (13%).  The ratio of those responsibly disposing of fruit to those carrying fruit was 27% of most risk groups.  Local travellers made up 58% of the traffic entering the Zone.  Travellers caught carrying fruit were penalised using the Self Enforcement Infringement Notice System of on-the-spot fines.  Despite over 300 notices being issued, there was no change in the proportion of travellers carrying fruit by the end of the season.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 11-20

HERON, G.A. and GULLICK, G.C. Insecticide resistance in Australian populations of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) causes the abandonment of pyrethroid chemicals for its control …………… 21

High-level insecticide resistance in western flower thrips (WFT) has the potential to compromise their resistance management.  We aimed to identify such resistance and eliminate it from the chemical control strategy based on the alternation of chemical groups.  Abamectin, endosulfan or methidathion resistance was not detected and those chemicals can be used with confidence against WFT.  In contrast, high-level pyrethroid (alphacypermethrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin and taufluvalinate) resistance was detected in all populations tested.  Pyrethroids are no longer recommended for use against Australian WFT.  Low-level malathion, chlorpyrifos, methomyl and methiocarb resistance was detected and meticulous monitoring is required to identify any change in their status.  Some strains were resistant to carbamates, pyrethroids and organophosphates and so may be multiple resistant.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 21-26

MELVILLE, L., HUNT, N., BELLIS, G. and PINCH, D. Evaluation of chemical treatments to prevent Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) feeding on cattle in the Northern Territory …………………………………………………………….41

This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the registered buffalo fly treatments, deltamethrin, permethrin and fenvalerate in preventing attack on cattle by Culicoides spp. All chemicals significantly reduced the numbers of unfed C. actoni Smith, C. brevitarsis Kieffer, C. fulvus Sen and Das Gupta, and C. peregrinus Kieffer collected from the cattle 8 – 60h after application.  The chemicals also reduced the number of bloodfed C. actoni and C. peregrinus for the same period.  C. actoni and C. peregrinus were the most abundant species and there were no apparent differences in their susceptibility to these compounds.  These chemicals, therefore, may be a useful as part of a risk reduction strategy for transporting cattle through areas of possible arbovirus activity.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 41-44

ORD, T.J. and DANGERFIELD, J.M. Paradoxomatid millipede density, dispersion and faecal pellet production in Eucalyptus woodland of eastern Australia………………………………………………………………………….1

Several studies have estimated the importance of millipede feeding and faecal pellet production on rates of leaf litter turnover.  However, data for the diverse and frequently abundant paradoxomatid millipedes of Australia are limited to just two field estimates.  Here we calculate annual leaf litter turnover by a millipede in dry sclerophyll woodland of the eastern seaboard using laboratory feeding experiments and field data on abundance.  Mean faecal pellet production rate of 2.1 to 2.9 pellets day-1 and a mean pellet mass of 0.22 to 0.62 mg with significant variation due to body mass, was recorded.  Population densities of 1.5 individuals m-2 and an aggregated dispersion pattern were observed where one species of the genus Australiosoma (Paradoxosomatidae) dominated.  These data were combined with estimates from the literature for assimilation efficiency, the number of active days yr-1 and annual leaf litter production, to determine the influence of millipede activity on litter turnover.  Observations to date have not considered spatial and temporal variance in faecal pellet production rates.  We quantify and discuss the importance of heterogeneous pellet production for nutrient dynamics.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 1-9

SALES, N., LEVOT, G.W. and BARCHIA, I.M. Differences in susceptibility to diflubenzuron between populations of the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) and their influence on flystrike protection …………….. 27

Field populations of the Australian sheep blowfly were found to vary widely in their susceptibility to diflubenzuron.  The distribution of LC50s was bunched around that for the reference susceptible laboratory strain.  This suggested that most populations were susceptible to diflubenzuron.  Toxicological responses were significantly correlated with those to the organophosphorus insecticide diazinon.  A small number of populations were resistant to diflubenzuron and were associated with shorter than expected flystrike protection of diflubenzuron treated sheep.  Results of a larval implant trial showed that resistant larvae established artificial strikes on diflubenzuron treated sheep significantly earlier than susceptible larvae.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 27-30

SEXTON, S.B. and IL’ICHEV, A.L. Release rate characteristics of two pheromone formulations for control of oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) by mating disruption …… 31

The release rates of two controlled release dispensers for mating disruption control of oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta Busck. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) were compared using weight loss measurements.  Release from dispensers of Isomate OFM Plus was consistently higher than from Isomate OFM Rosso for approximately 100 days in Warwick and 105 days in Tatura, after which the release rate of Isomate OFM Rosso was higher.  Release from both Isomate OFM Plus and Isomate OFM Rosso were well above the threshold required for mating disruption for a period in excess of 200 days.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 31-34

WALLBANK, B.E., NICHOLLS, A.W. and SALEH, F. Effectiveness of magnesite as a protectant of farm-stored oats ……………………………….. 49

The effectiveness of finely divided magnesite (magnesium carbonate) as a protectant of stockfeed oats on-farm was assessed in laboratory bioassays, small bulk simulations and normal silo storage.  Oats of moisture content 10% or 12% were dusted with magnesite at 1-10g/kg and challenged with adults of seven grain insect species.  Rates of between 1.0 and 6.3g/kg of magnesite on oats of 10% moisture content were required for 90% adult mortality after 21 days exposure.  The order of decreasing susceptibility and the approximate rate required to limit progeny to less than the number of parents was Sitophilus granarius, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, S. oryzae, 2g/kg > Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium confusum 5g/kg > T. castaneum 10g/kg.  At 12% moisture, only C. ferrugineus and O. surinamensis progeny were controlled effectively (5g/kg).  In small bulks of treated oats at 13% moisture, S. oryzae developed larger infestations than T. castaneum, R. dominica and O. surinamensis, and natural infestations of psocids also developed in these treatments.  In silo trials the dominant species in most infestations was T. castaneum, but other species were also detected, including psocids.  The protection period varied from less than three months to at least two years, and was longest where oats were stored at moisture contents lower than 10%.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 49-54

WILSON, J.A., HAACK, N.A., HEATH, A.C.G. and CLARK, A.G. Resistance to diazinon in New Zealand populations of the European green blowfly, Lucilia sericata (Miegen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) ………………………………………………… 55

A treated-surface test was used in a bioassay to detect insecticide resistance to the organophosphorus compound (OP) diazinon, in larvae of field strains of Lucilia sericata in New Zealand from 1991 to 1997.  Response measured by the lethal concentration killing 50% of the field population (LC50) ranged from 0.18 mg/L to 2.06 mg/L (Resistance Factors 3.0 – 34.3) and was influenced by regional and seasonal factors.  Resistance to diazinon in L. sericata is discussed in relation to a putative competitor species, L. cuprina.

General and Applied Entomology 30: 55-62

Scroll to Top