Locusta migratoria L. insecticide control trials, 1974-75

Chlorpyrifos, dimethoate and promecarb were tested against adults and hoppers and phoxim and tetrachlorvinphos against hoppers only of Locusta migratoria (L.) in the Central Highlands of Queensland in 1974-75

Insecticidal control of lucerne jassids in south-east Queensland

Three field trials were carried out in Queensland in 1969 to compare 7 candidate insecticides with the standard DDT for the control of Austroasca viridigrisea (Paoli) and A. alfalfae (Evans) on lucerne

ADVANCES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SPIDER MITES IN FIELD-GROWN STRAWBERRIES IN AUSTRALIA

Biological control of spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch and T. ludeni Zacher) in Australian field-grown strawberry crops using the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, has been practised commercially since 1984. Although adoption was slow in the early years, about 40% of growers now use the system. The adoption rate increased through the involvement of private consultants in pest monitoring and management. Growers have now embraced biological control of spider mites by implementing the pest in first (PIF) technique first proposed for the industry in 1984

Control of Tetranychus urticae Koch by Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot in low-chill stonefruit

Populations of Tetranychus urticae and the phytoseiid predator Phytoseiulus persimilis were monitored in an orchard of low-chill peaches and nectarines in Queensland during 1983-85

Biological control of latania scale on avocados in south-east Queensland

Avocado fruit (Fuerte and Hass) were caged to exclude natural enemies of the diaspidid Hemiberlesia lataniae in an unsprayed orchard and an orchard sprayed regularly with endosulfan during 1985 and 1986

Seasonal history of lucerne jassids in south-east Queensland

The seasonal history of Empoasca alfalfae Evans (Austroasca alfalfae) and A. viridigrisea (Paoli) was investigated on irrigated lucerne at 6 places in south-eastern Queensland in 1969-71

Pest management in Queensland strawberries: Reality bites, and growers' perspectives change!

Prior to the 1980s, arthropod pest control in Queensland strawberries was based entirely on calendar sprays of insecticides (mainly endosulfan, triclorfon, dimethoate and carbaryl) and a miticide (dicofol). These chemicals were applied frequently and spider mite outbreaks occurred every season. The concept of integrated pest management (IPM) had not been introduced to growers, and the suggestion that an alternative to the standard chemical pest control recipe might be available, was ignored. Circumstances changed when the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athios-Henriot, became available commercially in Australia, providing the opportunity to manage spider mites, the major pests of strawberries, with an effective biological agent. Trials conducted on commercial farms in the early 1980s indicated that a revolution in strawberry pest management was at hand, but the industry generally remained sceptical and afraid to adopt the new strategy. Lessons are learnt from disasters and the consequent monetary loss that ensues, and in 1993, such an event relating to ineffective spider mite control, spawned the revolution we had to have. Farm-oriented research and evolving grower perspectives have resulted in the acceptance of biological control of spider mites using Phytoseiulus persimilis and the 'pest in first' technique, and it now forms the basis of an IPM system that is used on more than 80% of the Queensland strawberry crop