The re-birth of the wonderful 1987 pasture pests book (originally written by former DPIW entomologists Peter McQuillan and John Ireson) is great news for those who like to know what is going on in their pastures and fodder crops and those who wish to maximise the productivity of farming systems.Peter and John are now at the University of Tasmania and TIAR respectively, and DPIW entomologists Lionel Hill and Catherine Young co-authored this latest edition with them. Lionel works on the northwest coast and part of his work is developing new information on the dreaded army-worm and the range of cutworms that affect vegetable crops and fodder crops alike. Catherine works out of Hobart and her insect photography contributes to the rich illustrations in this book. Peter McQuillan is a leading researcher on the biggies of pasture destruction in Tasmania - corbies and cockchafers - and John Ireson did a lot of the early work on army-worms and lucerne flea. The authors have also tapped into a wealth of knowledge accumulated by many DPIW and TIAR officers over many decades of research and advisory activity.
Tables at the start of the book help diagnose the symptoms of attacks by pests and show the months in which the pests occur and when control options should be undertaken.
The main body of the book has 22 sections, each of 2-6 pages in length, describing almost all the pests that may be encountered in pastures and forage crops - corbies, cockchafers, weevils, earth mites, armyworms, grasshoppers and slugs amongst others. Each section describes the appearance, distribution, damage, life cycle and control of a pest and includes colour illustrations and diagrams of the life cycles.
Special sections describe how to renew damaged pasture, the main types of pest control (cultural, biological and chemical), beneficial insects that restrain pests and the methods for introducing dung beetles and earthworms to pasture.
The publication is available to be purchased at a cost of $25 from all Service Tasmania shops, the Department of Primary Industries and Water and through the various red meat and wool extension and industry development activities.
Tasmanian pasture and forage pests : identification, biology and control / Peter McQuillan, John Ireson, Lionel Hill and Catherine Young
ISBN 072466761X
Cost: $25
