soil so that beetles can dig their way out. Females dig 80 mm deep tunnels at night in which a few eggs 
are laid at a time, with a total up to 25 eggs per adult. 
I Magpies are partial to scarab grubs. Goodyear, G. and Nicholas, A. (2007) Scarab grubs in northern tableland 
pastures. DPI, NSW. Available online at <http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/_data/assets/pdf_file/ 0008/110213/scarab- 
grubs-in-northern-tableland-pastures.pdf> 
II =active at dusk 
111 DPIW. (2008) DPIW on lookout for Cockchafer beetles, FarmPoint , Available online at 
<http://www.farmpoint.tas.gov.au/farmpoint.nsf/DPIWonlookoutforCockchaferbeetles/3D5C6C0D39233823CA25 
73520006B35C> 
lv To Lionel Hill DPIW Entomology, P.O. Box 303, Devonport 7310 
or Dr Cathy Young, DPIW Entomology, 13 St Johns Avenue, New Town 7008 
v McQuillan, P., Ireson, J., Hill, L. and Young, C. (2007) Tasmanian Pasture and Forage Pests , DPIW, State of 
Tasmania. 
Forestry Tasmania laboratories 10 August 2008 
- Excursion report by Anna McEldowney 
Peter McQuillan and Lynne Forster had organised an outing to the FT labs in Melville St where they had 
set up a range of interesting displays relating to forestry insect collections and insect quarantine. 
Peter explained about the types of traps used - quarantine traps baited with pheromones and light traps 
are set up at Tasmanian ports to attract and trap any insects that come in with shipping freight. Insects 
for the collection are mainly caught in pitfall (or Malaise traps for flying insects) and all insects are kept 
and pinned for the FT collection database. Beetles are used as indicators as they are better described. 
When sampling an area all samples are kept and other researchers can borrow them to separate out the 
insects they may be interested in with all data being sent back to FT for the database. Lynne also showed 
examples of mimicry and collections from Warra and the Weld plus jewel beetles and moths. 
In relation to quarantine Peter told us that British Quarantine Service put a moratorium on the import of 
Dicksonia until a study had been done in Tasmania to determine what insects are in them. He also told us 
that Dicksonia sell in the UK for £100- £600 each, and Tasmania gets $1.35! 
Also of interest was a scat collection displayed alongside photos of the animals responsible. 
Many thanks to Peter and Lynne for a fascinating outing for the 20 club members who attended. 
East Risdon Nature Reserve 5 Oct 2008 
- Excursion report by Amanda Thomson 
A big group of 28 including 9 children met at the roundabout on Saunders Drive, East Risdon and 
walked along the shore around Porter Point to Porter Bay, up the creek bed and over very dry hills in 
search of orchids. Our leader for the day was Mark Wapstra. 
Along the shore we noticed silver beet growing successfully! 
A number of scats were observed - pademelon, Bennets wallaby, rabbit, and bandicoot. Orchids were 
harder to find: Caladenia fuscata was the most abundant; later we found a few Nodding greenhoods 
(Pterostylis nutans) in the bottom of the creek bed. On top of the hill we found a few Caladenia carnea , 
one 2-flowered. Later, on the way back a single Tiger orchid - Diuris sulphurea was found just off the 
track. 
Most interesting were the rare plants Mark showed us on the hill overlooking EZ! ‘One of the better 
populations’ of the rare Olearia hookeri. 
Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club BULLETIN 332 Oct 2008 p7 
