Susceptibility of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) to pediculicides in Australia

Infestation with head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, is a worldwide problem, especially among primary (elementary) school children. Although studies in many different countries indicate lower levels of susceptibility to certain insecticides than expected ('resistance'), there is no empirical data from Australia. Data on the susceptibility of head lice to malathion, pyrethrums and permethrin were collected from four schools in Brisbane and one school in northern Queensland. Since no completely susceptible strain of head lice was available and head lice are difficult to keep in culture, a completely susceptible strain of body lice, Pediculus humanus humanus, was used for reference. All five groups of head lice were less susceptible to malathion, pyrethrums and permethrin than were lice from the reference strain. Moreover, the degree of susceptibility to these insecticides varied substantially among schools. Thus, a pediculicide that controlled lice at one school in Brisbane would not necessarily control head lice at another school in the same city. These preliminary data indicate that detailed information on the susceptibility of the different populations of head lice in Queensland to the different insecticides available is needed to maximize the chance of effective control of these increasingly common parasites.

Climate change and biotic invasions: a case history of a tropical woody vine

The impacts of climate change in the potential distribution and relative abundance of a C3 shrubby vine, Cryptostegia grandiflora, were investigated using the CLIMEX modelling package. Based upon its current naturalised distribution, C. grandiflora appears to occupy only a small fraction of its potential distribution in Australia under current climatic conditions; mostly in apparently sub-optimal habitat. The potential distribution of C. grandiflora is sensitive towards changes in climate and atmospheric chemistry in the expected range of this century, particularly those that result in increased temperature and water use efficiency. Climate change is likely to increase the potential distribution and abundance of the plant, further increasing the area at risk of invasion, and threatening the viability of current control strategies markedly. By identifying areas at risk of invasion, and vulnerabilities of control strategies, this analysis demonstrates the utility of climate models for providing information suitable to help formulate large-scale, long-term strategic plans for controlling biotic invasions. The effects of climate change upon the potential distribution of C. grandiflora are sufficiently great that strategic control plans for biotic invasions should routinely include their consideration. Whilst the effect of climate change upon the efficacy of introduced biological control agents remain unknown, their possible effect in the potential distribution of C. grandiflora will likely depend not only upon their effects on the population dynamics of C. grandiflora, but also on the gradient of climatic suitability adjacent to each segment of the range boundary.

Endodontoid land snails from Pacific Islands (Mollusca : Pulmonata : Sigmurethra). Alan Solem.

Fieldiana. Zoology. Special Publications. Part 2

Endodontoid land snails from Pacific Islands (Mollusca : Pulmonata : Sigmurethra). Alan Solem ... ; [collab.] Barbara K. Solem.

Fieldiana. Zoology. Special Publications. Part 1

Birds of the Crane Pacific expedition, by Ernst Mayr and Sidney Camras.

v.20:no.34(1938)

An additional new Stenus from Australia (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae).

v.65:no.7(1975)

The mammalian fauna of Madura Cave, Western Australia. Macropodidae: Potoroinae / Ernest L. Lundelius, Jr. -- William D. Turnbull --.

n.s. no.14(1984)

The mammalian fauna of Madura Cave, Western Australia, Ernest L. Lundelius, Jr. -- William D. Turnbull --.

n.s. no.6(1981)

Three new histerid beetles from the Pacific Northwest, with records and synonymies of additional species (Coleoptera: Histeridae)

v.39:no.41(1960)

The mammalian fauna of Madura Cave, Western Australia : Ernest L. Lundelius, Jr. -- and William D. Turnbull --.

v.31:no.1(1973)

The mammalian fauna of Madura Cave, Western Australia. Ernest L. Lundelius, Jr. -- William D. Turnbull --.

n.s. no.17(1989)