Biological Control in Western Australia. 
3 
records lias been checked by reference to subsequent literature and specimens 
in various collections. In many cases, however, the original meagre statements 
cannot in any way be amplified. 
Unsatisfactory as such information may be from many iioints of view, it 
is felt that the following details may serve a useful purpose in the planning 
of futiue biological control programmes. A knowledge of what insects have 
already been tried and their subsequent fate must be of iiaramount importance 
in considering new projects and it is with this consideration in mind that the 
following data are jnesented. 
LITERATURE. 
Anon 1895 “ Beneficial Insects,” Joiirn. Bur. Agric. If. Aiisl., Vol. 2, p. 499. 
Anon 1901 Journ. Dept. Agric. IP. Aust., Vol. 3, p. 143. 
Essig, E. 0. 1931 A history of Entomology,” Macmillan (X.Y.), p. 375. 
Eroggatt, W. AV. 1909 “ Report on Parasitic and Injurious Itisects,” N.S.AA^. Dept. 
Agric. p. 56, et seq. 
Lea, A. 1895 “ Exchanging Useful Insects,” Journ. Bur. Agric. IP. Aust. \"ol. 2, p. 
564. 
Imm.s, A. D. 1937 “ Recent Advances in Entomology,” J. and A. Churchill Ltd., Lon- 
don, j). 370. 
Imms, A. D. 1937A, ibid. p. 395. 
Xewman, L. J. 1909 “ Beneficial Parasites,” Journ. Dept. Agric. TP. Aust., Vol XVIII., 
p. 380. 
Olliff, S. A. 1895, “ A Xew AA^estern Australian Lady-bird,” Journ. Bur. Agric. IP. Aust., 
Vol. 2, p. 313. 
Order. COLLEMBOLA. 
E. SMINTHURIDAE. 
Sminthurus viridis Linn. (Clover Springtail or Lucerne Flea). 
The Clover Springtail is believed to have reached Western Australia in 19 ID 
(Newman 1910) per medium of baled fodder imported into the State from South 
Australia. Since that date it has spread rapidly through the South-West, 
its distribution being boimded roughly by the 15 isohyet, although the princi- 
pal damage is done within the 19 in. rainfall line where the subterranean 
clover pastures are established. 
On accoimt of the large areas involved, artificial control measures never 
offered a practical solution to the problem, so cultural and biological methods 
seemed the most worthy of investigation. The biological aspect of Lucerne 
Flea control came into evidence in 1931 when the Bdellid Alite [Biscirus ktpida- 
rius (Kramer)] was discovered at Waroona (Newman and AVomserley 1932). 
Since then, colonies have been distributed to all parts of South Western 
Australia where the flea is troublesome, as well as to South Australia, Victoria, 
New South Wales, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 
The mite established itself most readily in the higher rainfall areas and for 
some time it appeared doubtful as to whether it would gain a footing in the com- 
paratively dry Avon Valley districts (Newman 1934). In recent years, how- 
ever, it has increased greatly in these regions, with apparently beneficial 
results. 
