2 
C. F. H. Jenkins. 
of biological control are by no means generally understood, and the very popu- 
larity of the nietliod sometimes leads to tlie appearance of the most extravagant 
claims or unreasonable criticisms. 
Many of the most outstanding successes with biological control have been 
achieved under insular conditions. Tlie Hawaiian Islands are probably the best 
examples followed by Fiji and New Zealand. 
Where pests have become widely established on a continental land mass, 
the chances of successfully introducing parasites are seriously limited. The 
new environment })resents such a complex of factors to be contended with, 
biotic, climatic and physiographic, that no single i>arasite or j^redator is likely 
to be of more than local signilicance. Tliis does not mean that successes have 
not been achieved on large land masses siicli as America and Australia, Init in 
these instances, the introductions have been made into areas winch may be re- 
garded as distinct ecological entities. South W'ostein Australia is generally 
recognised as an ecological island and possessing a warm etpiable climate and 
a certain degree of physiographic isolation, it conforms with the main require- 
ments necessary for the successful establishmoTit of jiarasites. 
The first definite experiment along the lines of biological control is rejDorted 
to ha\6 been made in 1873 (Imms. 1037) when Planchon and liiley introduced 
an American in'edatory mite (Tjjroglyphus jjlnjlloxct'm Kiley) into France to try 
and combat the growing menace of I^hyllox'pra vlfiJoJm in French vineyards. 
Parasite introduction received its first real stimulus from the subjugation 
of the Cottony-cushion scale {Iceriia piirchasi) following the mission of A. 
Koebelo to Australia and tlie transference to the United States of the lady- 
bird Rodolia cardinuUs. 
The appouitment in 1001 of George Compere (Fssig. 1931) to collect para- 
sites and make investigations into prolilems of biological control on behalf 
of the W esteni Australian Clovormnent, marks the commencement of a peiiod 
of very active local interest in this lirancli of insect control and one which has 
been keenly maintained u]i to the present day. In 1004 it was arranged for 
Compere to collect jointly for the Californian and W est Australian Governments 
and his services were retained until 1010 when he returned to California. 
Prior to tbmpere’s ap]K>intme.nt, however, several attempts had been made 
to acclimatise useful msocts. As early as 1805 (Anon 1805) it was suggested 
that local parasites and predators be exchanged for insects to control woolly 
aphis, cabbage aphis and coccids and tlie first local introduction was the ladv- 
hivd L^s conform'^ by Claude Fuller in 1896 (Anon 1901). Compere spent much 
of his time travelling and collecting, his specimens being forwarded to Nevmmn 
at the W est Australian Department of Agriculture for breeding and distri- 
bution. Suiprising as it may seem the early exponents of biological control 
did not receive general commendation and in some instances were the subject 
of ill-concmvod abuse. The late W^ VV. Froggatt { 1 909) rather bitterly attacked 
some ot Compere s work and strongly refuted many of the claims made on 
behalf of biological control. 
The ensuing pages comprise an account of tlie various attempts at para- 
site and predator introduction into \^'estern Australia. 
The information lias been gleaned from all possible sources including many 
unpublished manuscripts. Where possible the information given in these early 
