Biotin-binding proteins (BBPs), such as avidin and streptavidin, represent potent insect control compounds which could be delivered via transgenic plants. The effects of BBPs on some pasture pests were determined. Black field cricket nymphs (Teleogryllus commodus) had significantly reduced growth and survival when fed on lettuce leaves painted with purified avidin. Adult clover root weevils (Si...

Cercartetus lepidus (Thomas, 1888) is a burramyid commonly called the little pygmy-possum. It is 1 of 4 species in the genus Cercartetus, which together with Burramys parvus form the marsupial family Burramyidae. This Lilliputian possum has a disjunct distribution, occurring on mainland Australia, Kangaroo Island, and in Tasmania. Mallee and heath communities are occupied in Victoria and South ...

An illustrated key is provided for the identification of 39 genera of Thysanoptera--Phlaeothripinae with species that live in association with dead branches and leaf-litter in Australia and are considered to be fungus-feeding. Seven of these genera are not previously recorded from this continent, including un-named species of Deplorothrips, Malacothrips, Mystrothrips, Preeriella and Tylothrips,...

1 Root-feeding insects are now considered to play a greater role in ecosystem processes than previously thought, yet little is known about their specific interactions with host plants compared with above-ground insect herbivores. Methodological difficulties associated with studying these insects in the soil, together with the lack of empirical and theoretical frameworks, have conventionally hin...

Multiple studies have addressed the mechanisms maintaining polymorphism within a population. However, several examples exist where species inhabiting diverse habitats exhibit local population-specific polymorphism. Numerous explanations have been proposed for the maintenance of geographic variation in color patterns. For example, spatial variation in patterns of selection or limited gene flow c...

This study investigated the ability of neonatal larvae of the root-feeding weevil, Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal, to locate white clover Trifolium repens L. (Fabaceae) roots growing in soil and to distinguish them from the roots of other species of clover and a co-occurring grass species. Choice experiments used a combination of invasive techniques and the novel technique of high resolution X-ray mi...

Question: Does the relative importance of stochastic and deterministic factors change during primary succession? Location: Small depressions (potholes) located onMount St. Helens, Washington (4611305100N, 12210901000W, 1290m). Methods: Pothole vegetation was described in 1993, 1997 and from 2001 to 2008. Explanatory variables included location and elevation (spatial factors), soil factors and L...