Biological Control in Western Avstralia. 
13 
As seen from the table, the last parasite tested was Teirastichu-s giffardianus, 
obtained from Fiji through the courtesy of H. W. t^immonds. Parasitised 
pupae were safely imported and a number of generations were reared in 
captivity, thin slices of orange being used to rear the liost maggots. Tlie 
laboratory colony was kept going until August, 1937, but the overwintering 
wasps, although apparently well developed, failed to emerge from the pupae 
and all breeding stock was lost. 
literature. 
Baker, C. 190S, “ Fruit Fly Parasites,” Jmirn, Dept. .Agrie. If. Aust. Vol. XVl., p. 27. 
Compere, G. 1903, “ In Search of Para.site3,’^ ibid. Vol. VIIL, p. 518. 
Compere, G. 1904, “ The Introduction of the Fruit Fly Parasite,” ibid. Vol. X., p. 68. 
Compere, G. 1905, “Fruit Fly Parasite,” ibid. Vol. XII, p. 6. 
Beapeissis, A. ” Acting Directors Report,” ibid. Vol. XIV\, p. 328. 
Essig, E. (). 1931, “ A Historj' of Entomology,” (X.Y. MacMillan), p. 376. 
Hooper, T. 1904, " Black Scale and Fruit Fly Paradtei,” Journ. Dept. Agric. (('. Aust. 
Vol. X., p. 172. 
Newman, L. d. 1908, “ The Fruit Fly Parasite,” Vol. XVII, p. 561. 
Newman, L. J. 1909, “ Beneficial Parasites,” ibid. Vol. XVIII, p. 382. 
Newman, L. •!. 1910, Dept. Agric. 11 . Aust. Bull. p. 38. 
Newman, L. J. 1916, ibid. Bull., p. 48. 
Newman, L. J. 1924, ibid. Bull, p. 122. 
F. MUSCIDAE. 
Musca domestica Linn. (House Fly) 
The only record of any attempt at the biological control of houseflies 
appears in the Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture and Industries 
of Western Australia for 1911. (Newman 1911.) Sarcopbagid parasites said 
to control houseflies and blowdlies were introduced from Hawaii, wliere they 
had been received from Japan. No details are available as to the technique 
adopted in handling these flies but the insect failed to become established. 
LITERATURE. 
Newman, L. J. 1911, Ann. Kept. Dept. Agric. and Ind. 11 . Aust., p. 29. 
Siphona exigua (de Meij.) (Buffalo fly) 
The Buffalo fly is believed to have reached Australia about 1825 wlien the 
first buffaloes were introduced on to Melville Ishinfl. In 1838 they were taken 
to the mainland and with them, the fly. The possibilities of biological control 
were discussed hy Handschin (1932) and a summary of the life histor\' of 
jBpalangla spp. was given. 
Tlie parasite thought to be most ])romising was .S', sienelaica Graham from 
Java. A siiecial strain of this species was teste<l by tlie Council for Scientific 
and Industrial Research and in March, 1933, a consignment of iiarasitised 
pupae were forwarded from Brock’s Creek to Twaddle, Government Veterinary 
Officer stationed at Derby. From 640 parasitised piqiae received, a number of 
wasps were bred and 60 were liberated at Yecda Station on cattle faeces in a 
permanent cattle camp, Tlie remainder were kept to lireed u]> furflier supplies 
for distribution. In May, further sendings (approximately 3,000 pupae) were 
received from Brock’s Creek and further releases of flies were made. In June 
