Pest and Diseases

By Denis Crawford

The arrival of an exotic herbivorous insect in an environment dominated by only a few plant species can be a recipe for disaster.

When an insect is introduced into an area with few natural pathogens, parasites and predators, that insect may become a severe pest.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

Given the recent debate in the media about the future of pesticides in some parts of the world, it’s time to look at the alternatives to pesticides.

A recent series of articles in The Guardian“Toxic nation: Australia’s pesticide problem” highlighted several issues with pesticide use in Australia.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

Tiny wasps that are barely visible to the naked eye are important biological control agents for various pests. If the wasps are so small, how do you know they are present?

I recently did some photography for a Queensland integrated pest management company that needed photos of Trichogramma pretiosum, a tiny wasp less than a millimetre long.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

I wrote an article in March 2009 titled ‘Why do we have pests?’ The main themes of that Pest Files were monoculture, invasive insects, suppression of beneficials, and resistance to pesticides. What has changed in the last 13 years?… Continue reading