Contents Vol. 50
GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
The Journal of the Entomological Society of New South Wales Inc.
VOLUME 50
CONTENTS
Dominiak, B. and Millynn, B.
Bactrocera bryoniae is commonly found in Northern Australia with occasional detections in New South Wales (NSW). We reviewed host records and the distribution in Asia, Australia and particularly NSW. We reviewed 19 years of NSW surveillance records and revised the eastern and southern distribution. We conclude that there are resident populations as far south as Coffs Harbour with two annual population peaks. There was little evidence for a resident population inland at Guyra. The populations in the Newcastle/Sydney/Wollongong region were transient in most years with one annual peak (November) in 2019. Since then, we detected significant populations occurring between October and April in 2020/2021 with two peaks in November and January.
General and Applied Entomology 50: 1-9 (published on-line 3.12.2021)
Duric, Z., George, J. & van Leur, J.
The oligophagous aphid species, Megoura crassicauda Mordvilko (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a legume pest originating from east Asia. It was first detected in Australia in October 2016 in a Sydney home garden and was subsequently found in a faba bean crop in north west New South Wales in 2017. A distribution survey was carried out to determine the presence of M. crassicauda in northern NSW in 2018, 2019 and 2020. In 2020 presence of M. crassicauda was confirmed at several locations across NSW. The biological characteristics of M. crassicauda were examined to evaluate its potential impact on the Australian pulse industry. Host range studies included faba beans, vetches, common pea, lentil, subclover and lucerne. Faba bean was found to be its preferred host with the aphid forming large colonies on leaves, stems and pods in only a few days. As there is no English common name for M. crassicauda, we suggest ‘Faba bean aphid’ because of its clear preference for this host. The aphid was found to transmit Bean leafroll virus and Pea seed-borne mosaic virus between faba bean plants. This pest presents a serious threat to the Australian faba bean industry due to its fast reproduction and colonisation of faba bean and its ability to transmit important viruses.
General and Applied Entomology 50: 11-17 (published on-line 17.12.2021)
Royce H Holtkamp
General and Applied Entomology 50: 19-20 (published on-line 14.02.2022)
Bain, C. & Dominiak, B.C.
Fruit fly surveillance remains important for international and domestic trade. The cuelure baited dry Lynfield trap has been the standard since the early 1990’s. Here, we tested the Biotrap (two versions) and two other internationally recognized traps (Susbin trap and Multi lure trap) against the Lynfield trap. There were no statistical differences and all traps were equivalent to the Lynfield trap under our test conditions.
General and Applied Entomology 50: 21-24 (published on-line 18.02.2022)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE. Hoverfly mimicry; the highest form of flattery?
Oakman, Elise
Syrphid flies, otherwise known as hoverflies, are capable of mimicking bees and wasps. The current known purpose of this is so that hoverflies can avoid being eaten by predators, as they appear as a more undesirable option. The mimicry that the hoverflies exhibit is more complex as simply just looking like bees, as often visual cues are combined with behavioural cues to trick other animals. Other factors can result in trade-offs with their mimicry, such as thermoregulation. What results is often what humans would consider an imperfect mimic, but ultimately is still sufficient, as they are able to deceive predators such as spiders. However, there is still much to be learned on the topic of mimicry and hoverflies, with new theories arising that mimicry may also assist in reducing competition over infloresences
General and Applied Entomology 50: 25-26 (published on-line 24.02.2022)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE. Sticky business: a unique chemical defence strategy in nasute termites
Smart, Hannah R.
Predation is a strong selective force driving the evolution of complex antipredator traits. Antipredator defences in the form of morphological or chemical weaponry, or behavioural traits, increases a prey organism’s chance of survival when faced with a predator. Termites are a group of social insects that possess an arsenal of mechanical and chemical weapons to thwart attacks from vertebrate and invertebrate predators. The soldier caste of termites have a range of mandibular modifications, including snapping, piercing and crushing mandibles. Some taxa, however, have undergone mandibular regression and are entirely reliant on chemical defence. The nasute termites are one such group that have lost their mandibles and instead have a specialised cephalic appendage in which they use to eject as viscous defensive secretion. The chemical and morphological aspects of some termite defences are well-studied, but often the behavioural components of complex antipredator traits are often neglected in current studies. Thus, improving our understanding of the underlying biological and behavioural mechanisms of termite defence systems will allow us to increase our current knowledge of the evolutionary history of a complex social insect taxon.
General and Applied Entomology 50: 27-29 (published on-line 15.04.2022)
A new southern detection of Zeugodacus cucumis (French 1907) in northern New South Wales
Fay, H.A.C., DeFaveri, S.G. & Dominiak, B.C.
Zeugodacus (Austrodacus) cucumis is commonly found in Queensland Australia with occasional detections in New South Wales (NSW). Latitude 29°S is regarded as the southern boundary of the range of Z. cucumis. Previous detections in NSW were regarded as incursions that did not establish. Here, we report on regular detections of Z. cucumis adults south of 29°S in NSW over several months that imply an established population.
General and Applied Entomology 50: 31-37 (published on-line 7.07.2022)
Control of funnel ants, Aphaenogaster longiceps (Smith) in Australia using Synergy Pro® Ant Bait
Webb, G.A.
Funnel ants (Aphaenogaster spp.) in general are considered nuisance species because they create unsightly mounds in gardens and cultivated turf in domestic and commercial situations, but can be of economic importance in sugarcane and pasture. Aphaenogaster longiceps (Smith) occurs along the south-east coast of Australia from Mt Gambier in South Australia to Rockhampton in Queensland. It overlaps in range with a very similar species Aphenogaster pythia Forel from Port Macquarie in New South Wales northward. Around Sydney A. longiceps is common in parks, playing fields and semi-rural areas. Trials were conducted at three sites, one in Sydney and two in the southern highlands of NSW near Robertson, to evaluate the efficacy of Synergy Pro® Ant Bait. In all trials, Synergy Pro was applied at two rates: 2 and 4 kg/ha by hand-spreading. In all three trials Synergy Pro reduced the number of mounds down close to zero over a period of 14 days and maintained low mound counts out to 10-12 weeks.
General and Applied Entomology 50: 39-45 (published on-line 20.07.2022)
Webb, G.A.
Eunatalis ninae Gerstmeier and Seinter is recorded from a range of plant hosts and associated with a number of potential insect prey species emerging from the same plant material. Eunatalis ninae was reared from species of Eucalyptus, Angophora, Acacia, Casuarina and Eleaocarpus from southern Sydney. Timber boring species that co-existed with E. ninae include several species of Cerambycidae, Curculionidae and Buprestidae. While E. ninae cannot be confirmed as predators of these species, their co-emergence suggests a predator-prey association.
General and Applied Entomology 50: 47-48 (published on-line 9.09.2022)