Contents Vol. 53 (Public)
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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)
Fabaceae as larval hosts of Uracanthus bivitta Newman (Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae, Uracanthini)
Garry A. Webb
Uracanthus bivitta Newman is known from largely coastal areas from central Queensland through to South Australia and Western Australia. Aside from a few historical records, all larval host plants for this species appear to be from the family Fabaceae. In this study a range of Fabaceae species from southern Sydney were identified as larval host plants.
General and Applied Entomology 53: 27-29 (published on-line 23.12.2025)
A review of the unique nesting characteristics of Ropalidia plebeiana (White-faced Brown Paper Wasp) – An ethological perspective
Warburton, P.J. & Copeland, L.M.
This study examines the nesting characteristics of Ropalidia plebeiana (White-faced Brown Paper Wasp), a species found in southeastern Australia. The species is unusual amongst social vespid wasps in the variety of nesting styles that it exhibits. This study reviewed scientific and citizen science information, conducted field observations on nest forms, and investigated the possible ecological and behavioural factors that might account for the nest variability across the full geographic range of the species.
In New South Wales (NSW) and southeast Queensland, nesting in large aggregations of nests, or “cities”, is common with northern populations forming the largest aggregations. In contrast, solitary nests are more typical toward the south and in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) where large aggregations are not present. Aggregation sites appear to be influenced by nesting site availability and the availability of food resources for adults and larvae; warmer regions offer more abundant resources, supporting larger groupings.
Nests exhibit either a stick-style or plate-style configuration and may be suspended in a pendent form or attached flush to the substrate. Non-pendent nests predominate in the northern parts of the range; further south, pendent nests are more common. The form and attachment method of each nest are shaped by its unique developmental progression across multiple seasons. Additionally, nest architecture correlates to location, substrate type, exposure to weather and spatial constraints in the immediate environment.
The observed variability in the construction of various nest types is primarily the result of five main innate behaviours; each being expressed to the extent permitted by prevailing conditions. This results in diverse nesting outcomes across time and geographical locations.
General and Applied Entomology 53: 31-51 (published on-line 23.12.2025)
Review of the Gondwanan aphids
Dinah Hales
Endemic and indigenous aphid species are rare in most Gondwanan countries, being greatly outnumbered by aphids accidentally introduced from Europe or North America, or spreading naturally via Southeast Asia. Our limited knowledge of Gondwanan endemic and indigenous aphids is summarised here, with emphasis on Australia and New Zealand. Many undiscovered species are almost certainly present. Barriers to their discovery are discussed. Associations of aphids with ancient and endemic plants are considered in relation to continental history. Aphids have close functional relationships with a range of other organisms, including ants, wasps, flies and bacteria and some of the obligate relationships may also be Gondwanan. Neophyllaphis, Neuquenaphis and Sensoriaphis/Taiwanaphis have an unquestionable Gondwanan origin, as do southern Aphis and Paradoxaphis (Australia, New Zealand, South America). The subfamily Lizeriinae may have been the first to diverge from the basal Aphididae and has an exclusively Gondwanan distribution. The subfamily Greenideinae is another early group and is composed of genera with a Gondwanan distribution. Species in these genera occurring in both Australia and Asia/Southeast Asia can be considered native, but not endemic to these areas. Greenidea and Schoutedenia are thus Australian natives. Aphis clerodendri and (less convincingly) Aphis eugeniae have a Gondwanan distribution. The genus Sitobion (Macrosiphini) has many species probably endemic in various Gondwanan countries and most likely has a Gondwanan origin. Aphidiine wasps (Braconidae), primary parasitoids of aphids, have a well-supported southern origin, and the hyperparasite Alloxysta, by virtue of its host-specific relationship with southern aphids and aphidiine wasps, may also have southern roots.
General and Applied Entomology 53: 53-70 (published on-line 23.12.2025)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE- Insects as sentinels of climate change: implications for conservation, agriculture and public health
Haghighi, S. J.
Global warming is reshaping insect populations and the ecosystem functions they support worldwide. Insects have persisted for ~480 million years, closely tracking regional climates and seasonal cycles, but rapid anthropogenic warming is now disrupting these long-standing relationships. Rising temperatures, more frequent extremes and altered rainfall patterns are shifting life cycles, distributions and species interactions, driving declines in habitat specialists while favouring generalist and invasive pests, including vectors of plant diseases. Climate-driven changes in pollinator phenology and mosquito populations further threaten crop pollination and increase public health risks from mosquito-borne diseases. Using Australian case studies of threatened native species and expanding pest and vector populations, this note argues that insect responses to climate change should be explicitly integrated into conservation, biosecurity and public health strategies worldwide.
General and Applied Entomology 53: 71-78 (published on-line 23.12.2025)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE- In times of Varoa – Let’s not forget the ins and outs of the Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida
Maanju, S. & Riegler, M.
The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, one of the most devastating pests of the honey bee Apis mellifera has the capability to destroy an entire colony within weeks including by causing slime-out of honey bee colonies due to the fermentation of honey by its symbiotic yeast.
General and Applied Entomology 53: 79-81 (published on-line 23.12.2025)