D. P. A. Sands

Distribution, biology and host specificity of Cyrtobagous singularis Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for the biological control of Salvinia molesta

Cyrtobagous singularis Hust. was recorded from Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina in association with six species of Salvinia (aquatic ferns). Field observations and laboratory studies in Brazil and Australia showed that C. singularis severely damaged S. molesta and that the weevil is suitable as a control agent for this weed in tropical and subtropical areas in Australia. In host-specificity studies using 46 plant species that occur in Australia, development of the immature stages took place only on S. molesta . Minor leaf scarring occurred on sweet potato when in contact with water, but starvation tests excluded this plant as a possible terrestrial host. Adults fed, but were unable to reproduce, on water lettuce ( Pistia stratiotes ). The high degree of host specificity indicated that establishment of this weevil in Australia is without risk to non-target plants. C. singularis was first released and became established in Australia in 1980.

Establishment of the Armored Scale, Rhizaspidiotus donacis 1, a Biological Control Agent of Arundo donax

Author(s) :John A. Goolsby, Alan A. Kirk, Patrick J. Moran, Alex E. Racelis, John J. Adamczyk, Elena Cortes, M. Angeles Marcos Garcia, Maricela Martinez Jimenez, Kenneth R. Summy, Matthew A. Ciomperlik and Don P. A. Sands Source: Southwestern Entomologist, 36(3):373-374. 2011. Published By: Society of Southwestern Entomologists DOI: 10.3958/059.036.0314 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.3958/059.036.0314

The current distribution and geographical origin of the scale insect pest Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae)

Ceroplastes sinensis Del Guercio is a pest of commercial citrus in Australia and has been recorded from New Zealand, southern Europe, northern Africa, North America and Mexico. Its distribution is mainly temperate and it is more restricted climatically than previously believed. Uncertainty concerning the place of origin of C. sinensis has thwarted previous attempts at biological control. In the present study, a novel and cost-effective approach using cladistic estimates is demonstrated to determine the place of its origin. Cladistically derived phylogenies are commonplace for many organisms, but the method has not been used before to predict the area of origin of a cosmopolitan pest. Cladistic analysis of the wax scales predicts a native range for C. sinensis within Central or South America. This prediction appears to have been confirmed by the recent discovery of heavily parasitized individuals of C. sinensis in Argentina. The cladistic analysis also allows prediction of the geographical origin of three other widespread wax scale speries: Ceroplastes ceriferus (Fabricius) may be of Neotropical origin, C. rubens Maskell and C. rusci (Linnaeus) are probably native to the Afrotropical region. The approach used has wide implications because the native areas of many other economically important pests are still unknown or uncertain.

Effects of ageing and nutrition on the reproductive system of Samea multiplicalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The influence of ageing, larval dietary nitrogen and adult carbohydrate diets on development of the male and female reproductive systems of Samea multiplicalis Guenee are described. Mature oocytes appeared in the ovarioles of one-day-old females and remained constant in number from one to three days after eclosion. Females from larvae that fed on plants of Salvinia molesta matured fewer oocytes (65 vs. 138) when the plants had lower (0·94% vs. 2·74%) levels of nitrogen. Resorbing oocytes were identified in the ovarioles of females 1–3 days old. The proportion of females with resorbing oocytes increased with age but not with larval dietary nutrition. Following high levels of larval dietary nitrogen, the seminal vesicles in males increased in length, while their width increased with age but not with diet. High levels of larval dietary nitrogen and an intake of adult dietary carbohydrate were both necessary for maximum fecundity. Higher levels of larval dietary nitrogen resulted in greater adult size, as measured by forewing length.

Effects of temperature on development and seasonality of Eudocima salaminia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in eastern Australia

The durations for development for immature stages of the fruit piercing moth, Eudocima salaminia (Cramer), were determined at constant temperatures ranging from 15°C to 27°C and at ambient temperatures at a field site in southeastern Queensland over a 16 month period. At constant temperatures average heat requirements for: 50% eclosion of eggs were 62.4 day-degrees above 11°C, development of larvae to pupation were 246 day-degrees above 12°C, development of pupae to eclosion were 233 day-degrees above 12°C. For each stage there was no difference between day-degrees calculated at constant temperatures or at those in the field indicating no diapause in the immature stages. For adults, temperatures below 16°C during the activity period after dusk prevented feeding, mating and oviposition. Failure of E. salaminia to overwinter in south-eastern Australia in most years, was explained by the effects of low temperatures on egg hatch, larval, pupal and adult survival, reduced adult feeding, mating and cessation of oviposition.

Irregular diapause, apparency and evaluating conservation status: anomalies from the Australian butterflies

Examples of irregular development (diapause regimes) are reported in three families (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae) of butterflies in Australia. The importance of understanding such irregularities is emphasized, and their relevance to interpreting conservation status and needs discussed. Expectations of incidence or abundance may not be met, and unexpected declines or losses resulting from irregular diapause can cause unnecessary conservation concerns.

The life history, host specificity and potential of alagoasa parana Samuelson (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for biological control of Lantana camara in Australia

In southern Brazil, adults and larvae of the halticine beetle Alagoasa parana Samuelson fed on the foliage and flowers of Lantana tiliaefolia and L. glutinosa (Verbenaceae). The life-cycle of this univoltine species from egg to adult emergence took 80-90 days between October and April. The abundance varied seasonally from four to eight adults per 100 branches. Larvae remained on the foliage during development and pupated in moist, loose, friable soil within a cocoon at the base of the host-plant. Adults overwintered and oviposited in litter at the base of the host-plant. In multiple-choice host- specificity studies in Australia, adults fed lightly on Verbena bonariensis and Clerodendrum speciosissimum (Verbenaceae) and produced minute scars on leaves on unrelated passion fruit ( Passiflora edulis ) and sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ). However, A. parana completed immature development only on L. camara among the 55 plants tested. The potential of A. parana as a biological control agent for L. camara in Australia is discussed.

Acigona infusella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an agent for biological control of waterhyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) in Australia

The biology and host specificity of a South American moth, Acigona infusella (Wlk.), were studied in quarantine facilities in Australia. In choice tests on the host specificity of A. infusella , slight feeding by larvae occured on ginger, lettuce, banana, bullrush ( Typha orientalis ) and water primrose ( Ludwigia peploides ), but in starvation tests only waterhyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) and pickerel weed ( Pontederia cordata ) supported complete development. A decrease in larval mortality and increase in egg-mass size of A. infusella occured when a microsporidian, Vairimorpha sp.; infecting the colony was eliminated, suggesting that these insects may then perform more effectively as biological control agents in Australia than in South America. The damage to waterhyacinth cause bu larvae of A. infusella may complement attack by other biological control agents already established in Australia.

Strategic national approach for improving the conservation management of insects and allied invertebrates in Australia: Conservation strategy for Australian insects

Despite progress in recent decades, the conservation management of insects and allied invertebrates in Australia is challenging and remains a formidable task against a background of poor taxonomic and biological knowledge, limited resources (funds and scientific expertise) and a relatively low level of community engagement, education and awareness. In this review, we propose a new, strategic national approach for the conservation of insects and allied invertebrates in Australia to complement and build on existing actions and increase awareness with the general public and government. A review of all species listed under relevant State and Territory Acts, national legislation (EPBC Act) and on international lists (IUCN Red List) indicated that of the 285 species currently listed under these conservation schedules, 10 (3%) are considered extinct, 204 (72%) threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) and 71 (25%) are classified as other (Threatened, Near Threatened, Rare or Least Concern). Comparison of the geographic ranges of listed species in relation to bioregions (IBRA regions) shows a striking discordance in spatial representation across the Australian landscape, reflecting an ad hoc approach to threatened species conservation and the concentration of invertebrate biologists in urban centres of temperate coastal Australia. There is a positive relationship between the number of threatened species and extent of protection according to the National Reserve System within each IBRA region, exemplifying the anomaly in spatial representativeness of listed species. To overcome these shortfalls, we propose a novel educational, regional approach based on selecting, for each of the 89 IBRA regions, a relatively small set of ‘flagship taxa’ (threatened species and/or ‘iconic’ species of high scientific/social value), which are then promoted and/or nominated for listing by the scientific community. Such species could be adopted by local community groups whereby a community‐based regional approach would ensure spatial representativeness of insect conservation across the entire Australian continent. This novel approach may ultimately provide a better strategy for the conservation management of habitats and threatened ecological communities, reducing extinction risk of threatened species and addressing key threatening processes. Members of the Australian entomological community are strongly encouraged to nominate candidate taxa as flagship species for wider promotion and/or listing nationally under the EPBC Act.

Population studies and biological control of Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on passion fruit in Western Samoa

The development of infestations of Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti) on passion fruit vines in Western Samoa was monitored at two sites over a period of 20 months, during which the aphelinid parasitoids Encarsia berlesei (Howard) and E. diaspidicola (Silvestri) were released. All vines were rated for P. pentagona infestations, and the female scale insects were counted on selected vines. At one site, the numbers of P. pentagona built up to over 10 000 adult females per vine before the parasitoids became established, and within one year 50% of the vines died. At the other site, where vines survived, an endemic coccinellid predator, Sticholotis quadrisignata Weise, kept populations below 3000 females per vine until the parasitoids became established. Biological control of P. pentagona was achieved at both sites eight months after the parasitoids were introduced. A model for interaction of P. pentagona and parasitoids predicted higher levels for parasitization than revealed by microscopic examination.