Records of termites attacking power poles in south-eastern Queensland

The incidence and distribution of termites in wooden power-transmission poles were investigated in a survey in south-eastern Queensland in 1963-65. The species found in 91 untreated poles of high durability timber species (of about 70 000 poles)

Comparison of population growth rates of malathion resistant and susceptible populations of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Population growth parameters of malathion-resistant and susceptible populations of the stored-product pest Sitophilus oryzae (L.) were compared in the laboratory in Queensland at 20, 25 and 30°C and 70% RH

An outbreak of the leaf bagworm Hyalarcta huebneri (Westwood) (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) in forest plantations of Pinus radiata in Queensland

Hyalarcta huebneri (Westw.) is an endemic Australian psychid with numerous records of damage to Pinus radiata (see RAE/A 64, 6206]. An outbreak occurred in 1953-63 in forest plantations in the Stanhope district of south-eastern Queensland

Pest management and phytosanitary trade barriers

A significant amount of the world's economy is based upon the international trade of agricultural produce. For the producing countries, a growing concern is the potential economic and ecological damage that invasive species could cause. While threats can be decreased through the regulation of items potentially carrying invasive species, the effect of such restrictions on international trade also needs to be considered. A balance must therefore be met that permits the transfer of produce while filtering out unwanted pests.Drawing on the author's extensive experience, the social and financial implications of phytosanitary trade barriers are reviewed. This book offers valuable and comprehensive coverage of pest related barriers and strategies for their implementation

Hot air disinfestation of Australian 'Kensington' mangoes against two fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Heating ‘Kensington’ mangoes by means of a hot-air circulatory system at >95% RH to a core temperature of 47 °C which was then held for 15 min was shown to meet requirements for a quarantine disinfestation treatment against Bactrocera tryoni, Queensland fruit fly and Ceratitis capitata, Mediterranean fruit fly. The treatment is currently in use for exports from Australia to Japan. Efficacy exceeded probit 9 and the treatment should be widely acceptable in international trade. There were no survivors from an estimated 132 677 eggs of the Queensland fruit fly. At 46.5 °C held for 10 min, there was one survivor from 205 425 eggs, no survivors from 110 045 third instars of Queensland fruit fly and no survivors from 165 615 eggs of Mediterranean fruit fly so this lower schedule would meet the requirements of countries with a minimum disinfestation treatment efficacy of probit 9. The 47 °C schedule is required for Japan which does not accept a critical fruit fly pest treatment in which any survivors have occurred

A heated air quarantine disinfestation treatment against Queensland fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) for tomatoes

A circulated heated-air treatment at 92% RH to achieve and maintain a minimum fruit core temperature of 44°C for 2 h is shown to disinfest tomatoes against Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) for market access quarantine purposes. The efficacy of the treatment exceeded 99.99%, tested at the 95% confidence level. An estimated 78 439 eggs were used for large-scale trials, as the stage of the pest most tolerant of heat at the treatment temperature

Comparison of two potential methods of detecting Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae) gamma-irradiated for quarantine purposes

We examined the use of both biochemical and anatomical techniques to detect irradiated larvae and pupae of the Tephritid fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt). Electrophoretic protein profiles for control and irradiated larvae were similar, irrespective of the age at which irradiation occurred. Protein profiles for control and irradiated pupae were also similar for the first 2d of pupation. A new protein band was detected in control pupae 3d after pupation began. This band was not observed in any irradiated pupae. However, because pupae cannot be aged morphologically, the absence of this protein band cannot be used to distinguish between irradiated and non-irradiated pupae of unknown age. Dissections of pupae indicated that the new protein band was not present because irradiated pupae died during the first days of pupation. No irradiated pupae survived to emergence. Electrophoretic techniques did not identify consistently either irradiated larvae or pupae of B. tryoni. The corrected size of the supraesophageal ganglion in irradiated mature larvae was significantly small than in untreated larvae, ragardless of the age at which irradiation occurred. This reduction was ~64% in samples treated as eggs (26h), first (72h), and second (96h) instars and 24% in third instars. A significant reduction in size of supraesophageal ganglion of mature third instars from all irradiation treatments suggests that this character may be successfully used to detect B. tryoni irradiated at quarantine dose rates. Irradiated samples had a significantly longer larval and pupation period, possibly because of the inability of irradiated larvae to feed normally. We also observed a significant increase in larval mortality with decreasing age at irradiation