Monitoring established field populations of an introduced French strain of Longitarsus flavicornis in Tasmania in 1985/86 showed that newly‐emerged adults were first recorded in early December, with peak emergences occurring in January. Oviposition commenced in January, first instar larvae were recorded from mid‐February and the first pupae were collected in early November. Laboratory studies suggested that eggs laid in the field in late autumn may not hatch until the following spring. Evidence is presented that prevailing weather conditions may have initially restricted establishment and spread of L. flavicornis in some areas. Ragwort density was reduced at 2 monitored sites where L. flavicornis was established. Ragwort populations, which initially consisted of plants with both single and multi‐crowns, and shoots from a range of size and development classes, were replaced by populations dominated by plants with single crowns and small rosettes. These observations indicate that L. flavicornis can be effective in controlling ragwort. Copyright © 1991, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:	Crop and pasture production
Research Field:	Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Terrestrial systems and management
Objective Field:	Evaluation, allocation, and impacts of land use
UTAS Author:	Ireson, J (Dr John Ireson)
UTAS Author:	Friend, DA (Dr Douglas Friend)
UTAS Author:	Holloway, RJ (Mr Richard Holloway)
UTAS Author:	Paterson, S (Mrs Sarah Lee)
ID Code:	43926
Year Published:	1991
Deposited By:	Agricultural Science
Deposited On:	2007-03-29
Last Modified:	2011-11-17
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