Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > AN > EA08153
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(12)

Pests of germinating grain crops in southern Australia: an overview of their biology and management options

S. Micic A E , A. A. Hoffmann B , G. Strickland C , A. R. Weeks B , J. Bellati D , K. Henry D , M. A. Nash B and P. A. Umina B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, 444 Albany Highway, Albany, WA 6330, Australia.

B Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research, Departments of Genetics and Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.

C Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983, Australia.

D South Australian Research and Development Institute, Entomology Unit, Waite Building, Waite Road,Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: smicic@agric.wa.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(12) 1560-1573 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08153
Submitted: 1 May 2008  Accepted: 1 October 2008   Published: 6 November 2008

Abstract

Grain crops in southern Australia are subject to attack by countless pests, with greater than 40 invertebrate species threatening seedling establishment. Control tactics for crop establishment pests rely heavily on the application of pesticides, especially in canola, which is the most susceptible crop to invertebrate damage. There is genuine interest in integrated pest management (IPM) among growers, but relatively little adoption of classical IPM in broadacre farming in southern Australia. The driving forces behind the lack of adoption are unknown, although over-reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides – which are inexpensive and often applied prophylactically as a means of negating the need to monitor crops – is undoubtedly a key factor. Recent control failures against important pests due to pesticide resistance, increased restrictions on pesticide applications, environmental concerns about pesticide applications and strong support for grain quality assurance programs by exporters, highlight the need to consider IPM principles as a means of reducing chemical inputs. IPM guidelines for broadacre farming systems are limited in scope and there is a need to develop practical management tools that encompass a whole system approach. This paper provides an overview of the main invertebrate pests affecting crop establishment and identifies gaps hindering the wide-scale adoption of IPM.


References


Allen PG (1968) Pests of germinating cereals. Journal of Agriculture, South Australia 71, 432–440. open url image1

Allen PG (1969) Sitona weevil. Journal of Agriculture, South Australia 73, 80–81. open url image1

Allen PG (1973) Biology of Desiantha caudatus Pasco (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in South Australia. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 12, 201–206.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Andersen A (1999) Plant protection in spring cereal production with reduced tillage. II. Pests and beneficial insects. Crop Protection (Guildford, Surrey) 18, 651–657.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Archard G, Bohan DA, Hughes L, Wiltshire CW (2004) Spatial sampling to detect slug abundance in an arable field. Journal of Applied Biology 145, 165–173.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Arthur A, Hoffmann AA, Umina PA, Weeks AR (2008) Emerging pest mites of grains (Balaustium medicagoense and Bryobia spp.) show high levels of tolerance to currently registered pesticides. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 1126–1132.
|  CAS | Crossref |
open url image1

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2008) ‘2008 year book Australia. Catalogue number 1301.0.’ (ABS: Canberra)

Bailey PT , Goodyer G (2007) Lucerne. In ‘Pests of field crops and pastures, identification and control’. (Ed. PT Bailey) pp. 425–440. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Baker GH (2002) Helicidae and Hygromidae as pests in cereal crops and pastures in southern Australia. In ‘Molluscs as crop pests’. (Ed. GM Barker) pp. 193–215. (CABI Publishing: Oxford)

Berlandier FA , Baker GJ (2007) Winter oilseeds. In ‘Pests of field crops and pastures, identification and control’. (Ed. PT Bailey) pp. 135–154. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Bishop A, Harris A, McKenzie H (2001) Distribution and ecology of the lucerne flea, Sminthurus viridis (L.) (Collembola: Sminthuridae), in irrigated lucerne in the Hunter dairying region of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Entomology 40, 49–55.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Bohan DA, Glen DM, Wiltshire CW, Hughes L (2000a) Parametric intensity and the spatial arrangement of the terrestrial Mollusc herbivores Deroceras reticulatum and Arion intermedius. Journal of Animal Ecology 69, 1031–1046.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Bohan DA, Bohan AC, Glen DM, Symondson WOC, Wiltshire CW, Hughes L (2000b) Spatial dynamics of predation by carabid beetles on slugs. Journal of Animal Ecology 69, 367–379.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Bowran D (2000) Weed control in wheat. In ‘The wheat book: principles and practice’. Bulletin 4443. (Eds WK Anderson, JR Garlinge) pp. 177–193. (Department of Agriculture Western Australia: Perth)

Branson BA (1980) The recent Gastropoda of Oklahoma, part VIII. The slug families Limacidae, Arionidae, Veronicellidae, and Philomycidae. Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science 60, 29–35. open url image1

Brier H (2007) Pulses – summer (including peanuts). In ‘Pests of field crops and pastures, identification and control’. (Ed. PT Bailey) pp. 169–258. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

CABI (2007) ‘Selected sections for Listroderes costirostris (vegetable weevil). Crop protection compendium.’ (CAB International: Oxford)

Cadogan BL, Laing JE (1977) A technique for rearing the predaceous mite Balaustium putmani (Acarina: Erythraeidae), with notes on its biology and life history. Canadian Entomologist 109, 1535–1544. open url image1

Carter C , Evans L , Halstead D , Schulz T , Anderton L , Jones H (2005) ‘Gross margins guide 2005 Western Australia.’ (Department of Agriculture Western Australia: Perth)

Chada HL (1956) Biology of the winter grain mite and its control on small grains. Journal of Economic Entomology 49, 515–520.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Childers CC, Rock GC (1981) Observations on the occurrence and feeding habits of Balaustium putmani (Acari: Erythraeidae) in North Carolina apple orchards. International Journal of Acarology 7, 63–68. open url image1

Choi YH, Bohan DA, Powers SJ, Wiltshire CW, Glen DM, Semenov MA (2004) Modelling Deroceras reticulatum (Gastropoda) population dynamics based on daily temperature and rainfall. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 103, 519–525.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Common IFB (1990) ‘Moths of Australia.’ (Melbourne University Press: Melbourne)

Cramb J (2000) Climate in relation to agriculture in south-western Australia. In ‘The wheat book: principles and practice’. Bulletin 4443. (Eds WK Anderson, JR Garlinge) pp. 5–8. (Department of Agriculture Western Australia: Perth)

CSIRO (2005) Australian Insect Common Names, version 1.53, 16 June 2005. Available at http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/index.htm [Verified 29 October 2008]

Davidson J (1934) The ‘Lucerne flea’ Smynthurus viridis L. (Collembola) in Australia. Bulletin of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. No. 79.

Dent RG (1961) Brown vegetable beetle. Journal of Agriculture, South Australia 64(9), 388–399. open url image1

Focardi S, Quattrini D (1972) Structure of the reproductive apparatus and life cycles of Milax gagates (Draparnaud). Mollusca Gastropoda Pulmonata. Bollettino di Zoologia 39, 9–27. open url image1

Frank T (1998) Slug damage and numbers of slugs in oilseed rape bordering on grass strips. Journal of Molluscan Studies 64, 461–466.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Glen DM, Milson NF, Wiltshire CW (1989) Effects of seed-bed conditions on slug numbers and damage to winter wheat in clay soil. The Annals of Applied Biology 115, 177–190.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Glen DM, Spaull AM, Mowat DJ, Green DB, Jackson AW (1993) Crop monitoring to assess the risk of slug damage to winter wheat in the United Kingdom. The Annals of Applied Biology 122, 161–172.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Glen DM , Green D , Oakley J , Wiltshire CW , Bohan DA , Port GR (2003) Progress in improving the prediction and integrated control of slug damage in arable crops. In ‘Slugs and snails: agricultural, veterinary and environmental perspectives’. (Ed. GBJ Dussart) pp. 35–42. (British Crop Protection Council: Canterbury, UK)

Godan D (1983) ‘Pest slugs and snails.’ (Springer Verlag: Berlin)

Grimm M , Michael P (1989) Desiantha: a pest of germinating crops on the south coast. Farmnote 76. Department of Agriculture, Perth.

Grimm M, Michael P, Hyder M, Doyle P (1995) Effects of pasture pest damage and grazing management on efficiency of animal production. Plant Protection Quarterly 10, 62–64. open url image1

Gu H, Fitt GP, Baker GH (2007) Invertebrate pests of canola and their management in Australia: a review. Australian Journal of Entomology 46, 231–243.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Gupta SK, Dhooria MS, Sandhu GS (1975) Studies on the chemical control of clover mite Bryobia praetiosa Koch, infesting pear in the Punjab. Science and Culture 41, 126–127.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Gutierrez J, Schicha E (1983) The spider mite family Tetranychidae (Acari) in New South Wales. International Journal of Acarology 9, 99–116. open url image1

Halliday RB (1998) ‘Mites of Australia: a checklist and bibliography.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Halliday RB (2001) Systematics and biology of the Australian species of Balaustium Von. Heyden (Acari: Erythraeidae). Australian Journal of Entomology 40, 326–330.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Hardy RJ (1981) Some aspects of the biology and behaviour of Adoryphorus couloni (Burmeister) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 20, 67–74.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Hassan SA (1985) Standard methods to test the side-effects of pesticides on natural enemies of insects and mites developed by the IOBC/WPRS Working Group ‘Pesticides and beneficial organisms’. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO 15, 214–255.

Helle W , Pijnacker LP (1985) Parthenogenesis, chromosomes and sex. In ‘World crop pests 1A. Spider mites: their biology, natural enemies and control’. (Eds W Helle, MW Sabelis) pp. 129–138. (Elsevier Science Publishers: Amsterdam)

Helle W , Sabelis MW (Eds) (1985) ‘World crop pests 1A. Spider mites: their biology, natural enemies and control.’ (Elsevier Science Publishers: Amsterdam)

Helle W, Gutierrez J, Bolland HR (1970) A study on sex-determination and karyotypic evolution in Tetranychidae. Genetica 41, 21–32.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Hoffmann AA, Weeks AR, Nash M, Mangano GP, Umina PA (2008) The changing status of invertebrate pests and the future of pest management in the Australian grains industry. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 1481–1493.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Hopkins DC , McDonald G (2007) Cereals: pests and beneficials in the field. In ‘Pests of field crops and pastures, identification and control’. (Ed. PT Bailey) pp. 5–39. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Hopkins D , Leyson M , Baker G , Charwat S , Cavagnaro V , et al (2003) ‘Bash’ Em, Burn’ Em, Bait’ Em: integrated snail management in crops and pastures.’ (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Adelaide)

Horne PA (2006) ‘GRDC back pocket guide: slugs in crops.’ (IPM Technologies Pty Ltd, GRDC: Canberra)

Horne PA , Page J (2008) ‘Integrated pest management for crops and pastures.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Horne PA, Page J, Nicholson C (2008) When will integrated pest management strategies be adopted? Example of the development and implementation of integrated pest management strategies in cropping systems in Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 1601–1607.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Howe KMW (1990) Insect and allied pests of farming. Bulletin 4185. Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Perth.

Ireson JE, Webb WR (1995) Effectiveness of Neomolgus capillatus (Kramer) (Acarina: Bdellidae) as a predator of Sminthurus viridis (L.) (Collembola: Sminthuridae) in north-western Tasmania. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 34, 237–240.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Ireson JE, Holloway RJ, Chatterton WS, McCorkell BE (2002) Further investigations into the efficacy of Neomolgus capillatus (Kramer) (Acarina: Bdellidae) as a predator of Sminthurus viridis (L.) (Collembola: Sminthuridae) in Tasmania. Australian Journal of Entomology 41, 88–93.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

James DG (1995) Biological control of earth mites in pasture using endemic natural enemies. Plant Protection Quarterly 10, 58–59. open url image1

James DG, O’Malley K, Rayner M (1995) Effect of alpha-cypermethrin and bifenthrin on the survival of five acarine predators of Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae). Experimental & Applied Acarology 19, 647–654.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Jarvis R (2000) Tillage. In ‘The wheat book: principles and practice’. Bulletin 4443. (Eds WK Anderson, JR Garlinge) pp. 177–193. (Department of Agriculture Western Australia: Perth)

Jeppson LR , Keifer HH , Baker EW (1975) ‘Mites injurious to economic plants.’ (University of California Press: Berkeley, CA)

Kingwell R, Pannell D (2005) Economic trends and drivers affecting the wheatbelt of Western Australia to 2030. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56, 553–561.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Laffi F (2001) Infestazioni dell’acaro Bryobia praetiosa su rucola. L’informatore Agario 10, 83–84. open url image1

Lake AWH, Howie JH (1995) Selection for redlegged earth mite resistance in annual Medicago species. Plant Protection Quarterly 10, 45–46. open url image1

Lea AM (1927) South Australian plant weevils. Journal of Agriculture, South Australia 30, 582–598. open url image1

Maclennan KE, McDonald G, Ward SA (1998) Soil microflora as hosts of redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor). Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 86, 319–323.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Matthiessen JN, Learmonth SE (1998) Seasonally contrasting activity of African black beetle, Heteromychus arator (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): implications for populations, pest status and management. Bulletin of Entomological Research 88, 443–450. open url image1

Matthiessen JN, Ridsdill-Smith TJ (1991) Populations of African black beetle, Heteronychus arator (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), in a mediterranean climate region of Australia. Bulletin of Entomological Research 81, 85–91. open url image1

May BM (1977) Immature stages of Curculionidae: larvae of the soil-dwelling weevils of New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 7, 189–228. open url image1

McDonald G, Moritz K, Merton E, Hoffmann AA (1995) The biology and behaviour of redlegged earth mite and blue oat mite on crop plants. Plant Protection Quarterly 10, 52–55. open url image1

McMullen G (2003) Prospects for grain marketing in 2010. In ‘Proceedings of the Australian postharvest technical conference’. (Eds EJ Wright, MC Webb, E Highley) pp. 10–11. (CSIRO Stored Research Laboratory: Canberra)

Mensah RK (2002) Development of an integrated pest management programme for cotton. Part 1: establishing and utililizing natural enemies. International Journal of Pest Management 48, 87–94.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Merton E, McDonald G, Hoffmann A (1995) Cultural control of redlegged earth mite, blue oat mite and lucerne flea in canola. Plant Protection Quarterly 10, 65–66. open url image1

Michael P (1995) Biological control of redlegged earth mite and lucerne flea by predators Anystis wallacei and Neomolgus capillatus. Plant Protection Quarterly 10, 55–57. open url image1

Micic S (2005) Identification and cultural control of insect and allied pests of canola. Bulletin 4650. Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Perth.

Micic S , Dore T , van Burgel A (2006) Vegetable beetle, Gonocephalum misellum (Blackburn), a pest of canola in southern Western Australia. In ‘Proceedings of the 13th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference’. Perth (Eds NC Turner, T Acuna, RC Johnson) (The Australian Society of Agronomy: Perth, WA) Available at http://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2006/poster/pests/4841_micics.htm [Verified 21 October 2008]

Moens R , Glen DM (2002) Gastropod pests on oilseed rape. In ‘Molluscs as crop pests’. (Ed. GM Barker) pp. 425–440. (CABI Publishing: Oxon)

Moore CB , Moore JH (2007) HerbiGuide – the pesticide expert on a disk. Version 20.5. Available at http://www.herbiguide.com.au [Verified 11 October 2008]

Morgan DF (1977) Swarming behaviour in the Australian beetle, Heteronyx obesus, with notes on related species. Ecological Entomology 2, 91–96.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Nash MA, Thomson LJ, Hoffmann AA (2007) Slug control in canola: monitoring, molluscicidal baits and economic thresholds. Pest Management Science 63, 851–859.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed | open url image1

Nash MA, Thomson LJ, Hoffmann AA (2008a) Effect of remnant vegetation, pesticides and farm management on abundance of the beneficial predator Notonomus gravis (Chaudoir) (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Biological Control 46(2), 83–93.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Nash MA, Thomson LJ, Horne PA, Hoffmann AA (2008b) Notonomus gravis (Chaudoir) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) predation of Deroceras reticulatum Müller (Gastropoda: Agriolimacidae), an example of fortuitous biological control. Biological Control ????in press. , open url image1

Newell IM (1963) Feeding habits in the Genus Balaustium (Acarina, Erythraeidae), with special reference to attacks on man. Journal of Parasitology 49, 498–502.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed | open url image1

Norton RA , Kethley JB , Johnston DE , O’Connor BM (1993) Phylogenetic perspectives on genetic systems and reproductive modes of mites. In ‘Evolution and diversity of sex ratio in insects and mites’. (Eds DL Wrensch, MA Ebbert) pp. 8–99. (Chapman & Hall: New York)

Paoletti MG, Tsitsilas A, Thomson LJ, Taiti S, Umina PA (2008) The flood bug, Australiodillo bifrons (Isopoda: Armadillidiidae): a potential pest of cereals in Australia? Applied Soil Ecology 39, 76–83.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Pavri C (2007) Legume pastures. In ‘Pests of field crops and pastures, identification and control’. (Ed. PT Bailey) pp. 412–424. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Pavri C , Young CJ (2007) Grass pastures and turf. In ‘Pests of field crops and pastures, identification and control’. (Ed. PT Bailey) pp. 393–411. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Port GR, Port CM (1986) The behaviour of slugs in relation to crop damage and control. Agricultural Zoological Reviews 1, 255–299. open url image1

Qin TK, Halliday RB (1996) Revision of the Australian and South African species of Halotydeus (Acarina: Penthaleidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research 86, 441–450. open url image1

Readshaw JL (1975) Biological control of orchard mites in Australia with an insecticide resistant predator. Journal of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science 41, 213–214. open url image1

Richards KT (1980) The sandgroper – a sometimes not so friendly Western Australian. Journal of Agriculture Western Australia 21, 52–53. open url image1

Ridsdill-Smith TJ (1997) Biology and control of Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) (Acarina: Penthaleidae): a review. Experimental & Applied Acarology 21, 195–224. open url image1

Ridsdill-Smith TJ, Annells AJ (1997) Seasonal occurrence and abundance of redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Acarina: Penthaleidae) in annual pastures of south-western Australia. Bulletin of Entomological Research 87, 413–423. open url image1

Ridsdill-Smith TJ, Jiang Y, Gaull KR, Gillespie DJ (1995) Redlegged earth mite performance on resistant subterranean clover varieties. Plant Protection Quarterly 10, 43–45. open url image1

Ridsdill-Smith J, Pavri C, De Boer E, Kriticos D (2005) Predictions of summer diapause in the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae), in Australia. Journal of Insect Physiology 51, 717–726.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed | open url image1

Ridsdill-Smith J, Hoffmann AA, Mangano P, Gower JM, Pavri C, Umina PA (2008) Review of strategies for control of the redlegged earth mite in Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 1506–1513.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Roberts JMK, Umina PA, Hoffmann AA, Weeks AR (2008) The susceptibility and tolerance of the lucerne flea, Sminthurus viridis, to currently registered pesticides in Australia. Australian Journal of Entomology ????in press. , open url image1

Robinson MT, Hoffmann AA (2000) Additional tests on the effects of pesticides on cryptic species of blue oat mite (Penthaleus spp.) and the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor). Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 40, 671–678.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Robinson MT, Hoffmann AA (2001) The pest status and distribution of three cryptic blue oat mite species (Penthaleus spp.) and the red legged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) in south-eastern Australia. Experimental & Applied Acarology 25, 699–716.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed | open url image1

Runham NW , Hunter PJ (1970) ‘Terrestrial slugs.’ (Hutchinson Ltd: London)

Schley D, Bees MA (2002) A discrete slug population model determined by egg production. Journal of Biological System 10, 243–264.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Schley D, Bees MA (2003) Delay dynamics of the slug Deroceras reticulatum, an agricultural pest. Ecological Modelling 162, 177–198.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Shackley BJ (2000) Crop management. In ‘The wheat book: principles and practice’. Bulletin 4443. (Eds WK Anderson, JR Garlinge) pp. 131–164. (Department of Agriculture Western Australia: Perth)

Shirley MDF, Rushton SP, Young AG, Port GR (2001) Simulating the long-term dynamics of slug populations: a process-based modelling approach for pest control. Journal of Applied Ecology 38, 401–411.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Sloan, King and Cook Pty Ltd (1988) The economic impact of pasture weeds, pests and disease on the Australian Wool Industry. Report prepared by Sloane, Cook and King Pty Ltd for the Australian Wool Corporation.

South A (1964) Estimation of slug populations. The Annals of Applied Biology 53, 251–258.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

South A (1992) ‘Terrestrial slugs: biology, ecology and control.’ (Chapman & Hall: London)

Speiser B, Kistler C (2002) Field tests with a molluscicide containing iron phosphate. Crop Protection (Guildford, Surrey) 21, 389–394.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Stanley M , Marcroft S (1999) ‘Canola: the ute guide.’ (TOPCROP Australia, Primary Industry and Resources South Australia: Adelaide)

Stark JD, Vargas R, Banks JE (2007) Incorporating ecologically relevant measures of pesticide effect for estimating the compatibility of pesticides and biocontrol agents. Journal of Economic Entomology 100, 1027–1032.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1

Swan DC (1935) A weevil attacking (Malva parviflora and M. nicaeensis ALL.) in South Australia. Journal of Agriculture, South Australia 38, 1125–1128. open url image1

Symondson WOC, Glen DM, Ives AR, Langdon CJ, Wiltshire CW (2002) Dynamics of the relationship between a generalist predator and slugs over five years. Ecology 83, 137–147. open url image1

Thomson LJ, Hoffmann AA (2006) Field validation of laboratory-derived IOBC toxicity ratings for natural enemies in commercial vineyards. Biological Control 39, 507–515.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Thomson LJ, Hoffmann AA (2007) Ecologically sustainable chemical recommendations for agricultural pest control? Journal of Economic Entomology 100, 1741–1750.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1

Tsitsilas A, Stuckey S, Hoffmann AA, Weeks AR, Thomson LJ (2006) Shelterbelts in agricultural landscapes suppress invertebrate pests. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 1379–1388.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Umina PA (2007) Pyrethroid resistance discovered in a major agricultural pest in southern Australia: the redlegged earth mite Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae). Pest Management Science 63, 1185–1190.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed | open url image1

Umina PA, Hoffmann AA (1999) Tolerance of cryptic species of blue oat mites (Penthaleus spp.) and the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) to pesticides. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 39, 621–628.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Umina PA, Hoffmann AA (2004) Plant host associations of Penthaleus species and Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae) and implications for integrated pest management. Experimental & Applied Acarology 33, 1–20.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1

Umina PA, Hoffmann AA, Weeks AR (2004) Biology, ecology and control of the Penthaleus species complex (Acari: Penthaleidae). Experimental & Applied Acarology 34, 211–237.
| PubMed |
open url image1

Van den Berg H, Jiggins J (2007) Investing in farmers – the impacts of farmer field schools in relation to integrated pest management. World Development 35, 663–686.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Walker P , Hunter D , Elder R (2007) Locusts and grasshoppers of pastures and rangelands. In ‘Pests of field crops and pastures, identification and control’. (Ed. PT Bailey) pp. 485–504. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Wallace MM (1970) The influence of temperature on post-diapause development and survival in the aestivating eggs of Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Eupodidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 18, 315–329.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Wallace MM (1974) An attempt to extend the biological control of Sminthurus viridis (Collembola) to new areas in Australia by introducing a predatory mite, Neomolgus capillatus (Bdellidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 22, 519–529.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Wallace MM, Mahon JA (1971a) The distribution of Halotydeus destructor and Penthaleus major (Acari: Eupodidae) in Australia in relation to climate and land use. Australian Journal of Zoology 19, 65–76.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Wallace MM, Mahon JA (1971b) The ecology of Sminthurus viridis (L.) (Collembola) III. The influence of climate and land use on its distribution and that of an important predator Bdellodes lapidaria (Acari: Bdellidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 19, 177–188.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Weeks AR, Hoffmann AA (1998) Intense selection of mite clones in a heterogeneous environment. Evolution 52, 1325–1333.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Weeks AR, Hoffmann AA (1999) The biology of Penthaleus species in south eastern Australia. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 92, 179–189.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Weeks AR, Fripp YJ, Hoffmann AA (1995) Genetic structure of Halotydeus destructor and Penthaleus major populations in Victoria (Acari: Penthaleidae). Experimental & Applied Acarology 19, 633–646.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

White P , Seymour M , Burgess P , Harries M (2005) Producing pulses in the southern agricultural region. Bulletin 4443. Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Perth.

Williams DG , Il’ichev AL (2003) Integrated pest management in Australia. In ‘Integrated pest management in the global arena’. (Eds KM Maredia, D Dakouo, D Mota-Sanchez) pp. 371–384. (CABI International: Wallingford, UK)

Wilson LJ , Mensah RK , Fitt GP (2004) Implementing integrated pest management in Australian cotton. In ‘Insect pest management’. (Eds AR Horowitz, I Ishaaya) pp. 97–118. (Springer-Verlag: Berlin)

Wright DE (1986) Damage and loss in yield of wheat crops caused by the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker). Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 26, 613–618.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Young AG , Port GR (1989) The effect of microclimate on slug activity in the field. In ‘Slugs and snails in world agriculture’ BCPC Monograph No. 41 (Ed. IF Henderson) pp. 263–269. (British Crop Protection Council: Guildford, UK)

Young AG, Port GR (1991) The influence of soil moisture on the activity of Deroceras reticulatum (Muller). Journal of Molluscan Studies 57, 138–140.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Young C (1996) Metal chelates as stomach poison molluscicides for introduced pests, Helix aspera, Theba pisana, Cernuella virgata and Deroceras reticulatum in Australia. In ‘Slug and snail pests in agriculture, BCPC symposium proceedings No. 66, The University of Kent, Canterbury’. (Ed. IF Henderson) pp. 237–243. (The British Crop Protection Council: Croyden, UK)

Zimmerman EC (1991) ‘Australian weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea). Volume V – Colour plates 1–304.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Zimmerman EC (1994a) ‘Australian weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea). Volume I – Orthoceri. Anthribidae to Attelabidae: the primitive weevils.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Zimmerman EC (1994b) ‘Australian weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea). Volume II – Brentidae, Eurhynchidae, Apionidae and a chapter on immature stages by Brenda May.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)