The European Rabbit in South-Western Australia. I. Study Sites and Population Dynamics.

Descriptions are given of 2 study sites in the south-west of Western Australia, on which rabbit numbers were monitored. Breeding seasons began in March or April, with the onset of winter rain, and rabbit numbers peaked in October-December, followed by a fall over the non-breeding period in summer. Winter epizootics of myxomatosis, which were spread by Spilopsyllus cuniculi, caused severe declines in rabbit numbers at both sites. Summer epizootics at one site before the introduction of the flea as a biological control agent, and rabbit mortality during these, was lower than in the winter epizootics.

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The European Rabbit Flea, Spilopsyllus Cuniculi, in South-Western Australia.

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9850227 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 227 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

DR King ◽

AJ Oliver ◽

SH Wheeler

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Western Australia ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

The State ◽

European Rabbit ◽

The South ◽

The Past ◽

South West

Spilopsyllus cuniculi, a vector of myxomatosis, was introduced by various methods at several sites in the south-west of Western Australia in May 1969 for the biological control of rabbits. It spread rapidly and within 14 months all rabbits collected within about 5 km of one of the release sites were infested with fleas. Further introductions of the flea during the past decade have resulted in a wide distribution for it throughout the south-west of the state. Flea numbers fluctuate seasonally and are highest in reproductively active female rabbits in winter and spring. Since the introductions of the flea, the timing of epizootics of myxomatosis has changed and their effect on rabbit populations has increased.

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Description, Biology, and Impact of the Fruit-Feeding Moth, Mompha luteofascia sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Momphidae), on Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae) in Costa Rica

Annals of the Entomological Society of America ◽

10.1093/aesa/saz052 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Manuel Antonio Alfaro-Alpízar ◽

Sjaak J C Koster ◽

M Tracy Johnson ◽

Francisco Rubén Badenes-Pérez

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Costa Rica ◽

Seed Germination ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Control Agent ◽

Feeding Damage ◽

Miconia Calvescens ◽

Fruit Maturity ◽

Fruit Damage ◽

Study Sites

Abstract Fruits of Miconia calvescens DC. (Melastomataceae) were dissected to study insect frugivory in this plant in its native habitat in Costa Rica. Larvae of an unknown Mompha species (Lepidoptera: Momphidae), Anthonomus monostigma Champion (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and unidentified Diptera and Hymenoptera were found in M. calvescens fruits. The Mompha species, described here as new as Mompha luteofascia Koster & Badenes-Pérez, was the most abundant insect frugivore in M. calvescens, infesting up to 38.1% of the fruits sampled. Feeding damage by M. luteofascia was positively correlated with fruit maturity, and resulted in significantly reduced numbers of seeds and rates of seed germination. Miconia calvescens fruits with medium damage (50–75% of the pulp missing) and high damage (75–100% of the pulp missing) had an average of 96 and 99 seeds, respectively, whereas undamaged fruits contained an average of 127 seeds per fruit. In fruits with medium and high fruit damage, only 1.9 and 0.1% of the seeds germinated, respectively, whereas 34.8% of the seeds germinated in undamaged fruits. Mompha luteofascia developed through three instars, as determined from measurement of head capsules. Larvae usually fed as one individual per each fruit attacked, exiting fruit to pupate in foliage or litter. Parasitism of M. luteofascia larvae was substantial, averaging 64 and 38% at the two study sites. Although host specificity of M. luteofascia has not been evaluated, the significant reductions in seed numbers and seed germination caused by its larvae indicate that this species deserves further assessment as a potential biological control agent of M. calvescens.

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The Introduction of Bdellodes Lapidaria (Acari: Bdellidae) From Australia Into South Africa for the Biological Control of Sminthurus Viridis (Collembola).

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo9740505 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 505 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

MMH Wallace ◽

MC Walters

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Biological Control ◽

South African ◽

Western Australia ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Subterranean Clover ◽

Immediate Release ◽

Control Agent ◽

Clover Seed ◽

Methods Of Control

The lucerne flea, S, viridis, was introduced into South Africa with subterranean clover seed imported from Western Australia in 1939. By 1959 the infestation had spread over 50,000 ha and methods of control were examined. The predatory mite B. lapidaria was known to be an effective biological control agent against S. viridis in Australian pastures. From 1963 to 1966 over 75,000 mites were collected in Western Australia and sent by air for immediate release in selected sites in South Africa (Cape Province). The mites were shown to be established in 1965 and multiplied rapidly, enabling redistribution to additional sites. The influence of this predator on S. viridis numbers is now being monitored. Preliminary data indicate that B. lapidaria is capable of influencing flea densities under South African conditions. A definite relationship between the predator and sminthurid Collembola such as S. viridis slnd Bourletiella arvalis is indicated, although B. lapidaria appears to be able to utilize other foods during periods of sminthurid scarcity.

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