Pest and Diseases

By Denis Crawford

Conventional wisdom tells us that the bush will recover after fire, and that the wildlife will return. It’s not that simple.

I’m not likely to forget February 13^th 2024. It was the day a bushfire descended on my local town of Pomonal, destroyed 45 homes, many sheds and other structures, kilometres of fencing, and over 2700 hectares of bushland and private land.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

Insects that spread plant diseases are known as vectors of that disease. It’s important to know that some insects are more efficient vectors than other others.

Insects which transmit plant diseases are mostly sap-sucking insects of the insect order Hemiptera.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

Butterflies are desirable in gardens because they are indicators of a healthy environment. Unfortunately, they are under threat from climate change.

People enjoy seeing butterflies fluttering around their gardens and in bushland. Butterflies are considered to be harmless, perhaps with the exception of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae), and they are often quite large, colourful, and aesthetically pleasing.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

We all know about the natural enemies of pest insects, but did you know that beneficial insects also have their enemies?

I have often said “for every insect out there, there is probably another insect that wants to feed on it or breed in it”.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

With European honeybee populations under pressure from varroa mite it is time to take another look at alternative pollinators.

The need for pollinators that are complementary to, or an alternative to, European honeybees has never been more critical.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

Most people are familiar with mammals and birds that use tools, but they may not be aware that some insects also use tools.

I first became aware of animals using tools through the work of Jane Goodall in Africa during the 1960s.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

We are all familiar with predators such as ladybird beetles and lacewings, but some of the less familiar predators are just as important.

Ladybird beetles are certainly the most well-known predators and common species are instantly recognisable with their bright colours and dark spots.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

Insects are the only invertebrates that can fly, and flight has allowed insects to dominate most terrestrial ecosystems.

Insects first took to the air 350 to 400 million years ago, but like most evolutionary developments, it didn’t happen overnight.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

Think weevil, think pest? Think again. Weevils are incredibly diverse, and some species are plant pollinators.

With about 400,000 species worldwide, the insect order Coleoptera (beetles) accounts for about 25% of all animal species on earth. 20% of those beetles are weevils of the superfamily Curculionoidea.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

There is a long and fascinating history of mass rearing of various insects, and it seems that the practice is set to expand somewhat.

There has been a lot of press in the last couple of years about farming insects for human consumption.… Continue reading

By Denis Crawford

Insects that have life cycles of complete metamorphosis have larvae that come in a variety of forms.

A life cycle of complete metamorphosis (holometabolous) means hatching from an egg into a larval stage, then pupating, and later emerging as an adult.… Continue reading

Many insects are instantly recognisable but what do you do when you find an insect you’ve never seen before?

If I described an insect as having a triangular head with large eyes, spindly hind legs and grasping raptorial forelegs, I reckon most of you would have an image of a praying mantis in mind.… Continue reading