Australian Journal of Zoology (1953) 1, 70-101

L.R. Clark (1953)
An analysis of the outbreaks of the Australian Plague Locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker), during the season 1940-41 to 1944-45
Australian Journal of Zoology 1 (1), 70-101
Abstract: Outbreaks of Chortoicetes terminifera occurred each year from 1940-41 to 1944-45, the largest being that of 1942-43, and temperature and moisture proved important in determining the regional and seasonal occurrence of swarms. Key's (1942) curve of limiting conditions for the persistence of swarm populations was uselful for the interpretation of events, but there were discrepancies, probably due to various causes, such as the type of infestation, the crudeness of the monthly Meyer ratio as an index of soil moisture and pasture conditions, and regional differences in the upper moisture limits at high temperatures. It is suggested that the limiting Meyer ratios for the persistence or development of a spring infestation of small weakly gregarious populations at 60º-70ºF. exceed 4-5, either when the September Meyer ratio is 5 or less, or when the spring is preceded by a severe winter drought. At 75ºF. the maximum Meyer ratio at which swarms can exist is about 20. Near the estimated hatching threshhold of 57.5ºF. swarm hatchings can occur at Meyer ratios as low as 4-5. The decline of the 1942-43 outbreak in part of the main area infested may have been due to parasitism by an unidentified fly (Sarcophagid or Tachinid). The same parasite may have been largely reponsible for the decline of the 1943-44 outbreak during the late spring and early summer, after three swarm generations.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied from Acridological Abstracts with permission by NRI, Univ. of Greenwich at Medway.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Chortoicetes terminifera