Research Branch Report No. 046

Effects of aerial spraying with Malathion on the sub-canopy insect fauna of Eucalyptus regnans forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria.  J.A. Harris.  February 1974.  13 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

An evaluation of the effects of spraying with malathion on populations of sub-canopy insects in the Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell. forests of the Victorian Central Highlands was undertaken in January and March, 1973. Trapping with Malaise traps at selected sites before spraying, and within four days after spraying, showed reductions in insect populations at sites where traps had been set at roadside, but no significant reductions where traps had been set beneath the canopy.

Resampling of all sites in March, about eight weeks after spraying, indicated that insect populations at sprayed sites, including roadsides, were comparable with those at unsprayed control sites. Further classification of insect specimens is necessary to determine any change in insect population structure.

Also published:

Neuman, F.G., Harris, J.A. and Wood, C.H. (1977)  The phasmatid problem in mountain ash forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria.  For. Comm. Vic., Bull. 25, 43 pp.

Harris, J.A. (1981)  The effect of the insecticide maldison on Didymuria violescens (Leach) (Phasmatodea : Phasmatidae) and on the sub-canopy insect fauna in mountain ash forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria.  M.Sc.Thesis, Univ. of Melbourne, 237 pp.