M***@kymhorsell.com
2018-02-24 02:30:03 UTC
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-24/decline-in-insect-population-baffles-scientists/9481136>
Insect population decline leaves Australian scientists scratching for solutions
Mark Rigby
ABC Far North
24 Feb 2018 01:56Z
[image] An insect perched on a yellow Billy Button wildflower
Entomologists are concerned Australia's insect populations are in
decline. (ABC News: Penny McLintock)
RELATED:
* Put down the bug spray and embrace the creepy crawlies
* Here's why you should keep spiders and insects onside
A global crash in insect populations has found its way to Australia,
with entomologists across the country reporting lower than average
numbers of wild insects.
University of Sydney entomologist Dr Cameron Webb said researchers
around the world widely acknowledge that insect populations are in
decline, but are at a loss to determine the cause.
"On one hand it might be the widespread use of insecticides, on the
other hand it might be urbanisation and the fact that we're
eliminating some of the plants where it's really critical that these
insects complete their development," Dr Webb said.
"Add in to the mix climate change and sea level rise and it's
incredibly difficult to predict exactly what it is."
'It's left me dumbfounded'
Entomologist and owner of the Australian Insect Farm, near Innisfail
in far north Queensland, Jack Hasenpusch is usually able to collect
swarms of wild insects at this time of year.
"I've been wondering for the last few years why some of the insects
have been dropping off and put it down to lack of rainfall," Mr
Hasenpusch said.
[image] Rain moth
Jack Hasenpusch says he usually collects 1000s of insects at this
time of year, but this summer is particularly quiet. (ABC South East:
Cassie Steeth)
"This year has really taken the cake with the lack of insects, it's
left me dumbfounded, I can't figure out what's going on."
Mr Hasenpusch said entomologists he had spoken to from Sydney,
Brisbane, Perth and even as far away as New Caledonia and Italy all
had similar stories.
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda, west of Cairns, has had
difficulty breeding the far north's iconic Ulysses butterfly for more
than 2 years.
"We've had [the problem] checked by scientists, the University of
Queensland was involved, Biosecurity Queensland was involved but so
far we haven't found anything unusual in the bodies [of caterpillars]
that didn't survive," said breeding laboratory supervisor Tina Kupke.
[image] Blue Ulysses butterfly on a leaf
There are concerns far north Queensland's iconic Ulysses butterfly
species is also disappearing from the wild. (Supplied: Australian
Butterfly Sanctuary)
"We've had some short successes but always failed in the second generation."
Ms Lupke said the problem was not confined to far north Queensland, or
even Australia.
"Some of our pupae go overseas from some of our breeders here and
they've all had the same problem," she said.
"And the Melbourne Zoo has been trying for quite a while with the same
problems."
Limited lifecycle prefaces population plummet
Dr Webb, who primarily researches mosquitoes, said numbers were also
in decline across New South Wales this year, which was indicative of
the situation in other insect populations.
"We've had a really strange summer; it's been very dry, sometimes it's
been brutally hot but sometimes it's been cooler than average," he
said.
[image] Cracked mud in a dry outback creek bed.
Entomologist Dr Cameron Webb says dry conditions can affect the
lifecycle of many insects, which in turn affects entire
populations. (ABC: Nicola Gage)
"Mosquito populations, much like a lot of other insects, rely on the
combination of water, humidity and temperature to complete their
lifecycle.
"When you mix around any one of those 3 components you can
really change the local population dynamics."
According to Dr Webb, when conditions are less than ideal the lifespan
of mosquitoes and other insects plummets, thus reducing the
sustainability of the entire population.
"If you're used to living for about 3 weeks when it's nice and
warm and humid, and then you're only living for a week or so because
it's really hot and dry then you don't have to chance to lay as many
eggs, or do as much mating," he said.
"Those things have a knock on effect and it means the overall
populations can often be much lower."
...
--
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ABC News, 23 Feb 2018 20:36Z
It's one of Brisbane's go-to websites whenever it's raining, and it's
unlikely to be up and running any time soon.
The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) weather radar at Mt Stapylton, located
south of Brisbane, was taken offline on Tue night due to major problems,
meaning anyone curious on the rain is unable to best see when it's
approaching the area.
[Projection 101:]
Florida Shooting: Donald Trump says guard 'didn't have the courage'
to intervene
<Loading Image...>
ABC News, 24 Feb 2018 09:02:40
Insect population decline leaves Australian scientists scratching for solutions
Mark Rigby
ABC Far North
24 Feb 2018 01:56Z
[image] An insect perched on a yellow Billy Button wildflower
Entomologists are concerned Australia's insect populations are in
decline. (ABC News: Penny McLintock)
RELATED:
* Put down the bug spray and embrace the creepy crawlies
* Here's why you should keep spiders and insects onside
A global crash in insect populations has found its way to Australia,
with entomologists across the country reporting lower than average
numbers of wild insects.
University of Sydney entomologist Dr Cameron Webb said researchers
around the world widely acknowledge that insect populations are in
decline, but are at a loss to determine the cause.
"On one hand it might be the widespread use of insecticides, on the
other hand it might be urbanisation and the fact that we're
eliminating some of the plants where it's really critical that these
insects complete their development," Dr Webb said.
"Add in to the mix climate change and sea level rise and it's
incredibly difficult to predict exactly what it is."
'It's left me dumbfounded'
Entomologist and owner of the Australian Insect Farm, near Innisfail
in far north Queensland, Jack Hasenpusch is usually able to collect
swarms of wild insects at this time of year.
"I've been wondering for the last few years why some of the insects
have been dropping off and put it down to lack of rainfall," Mr
Hasenpusch said.
[image] Rain moth
Jack Hasenpusch says he usually collects 1000s of insects at this
time of year, but this summer is particularly quiet. (ABC South East:
Cassie Steeth)
"This year has really taken the cake with the lack of insects, it's
left me dumbfounded, I can't figure out what's going on."
Mr Hasenpusch said entomologists he had spoken to from Sydney,
Brisbane, Perth and even as far away as New Caledonia and Italy all
had similar stories.
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda, west of Cairns, has had
difficulty breeding the far north's iconic Ulysses butterfly for more
than 2 years.
"We've had [the problem] checked by scientists, the University of
Queensland was involved, Biosecurity Queensland was involved but so
far we haven't found anything unusual in the bodies [of caterpillars]
that didn't survive," said breeding laboratory supervisor Tina Kupke.
[image] Blue Ulysses butterfly on a leaf
There are concerns far north Queensland's iconic Ulysses butterfly
species is also disappearing from the wild. (Supplied: Australian
Butterfly Sanctuary)
"We've had some short successes but always failed in the second generation."
Ms Lupke said the problem was not confined to far north Queensland, or
even Australia.
"Some of our pupae go overseas from some of our breeders here and
they've all had the same problem," she said.
"And the Melbourne Zoo has been trying for quite a while with the same
problems."
Limited lifecycle prefaces population plummet
Dr Webb, who primarily researches mosquitoes, said numbers were also
in decline across New South Wales this year, which was indicative of
the situation in other insect populations.
"We've had a really strange summer; it's been very dry, sometimes it's
been brutally hot but sometimes it's been cooler than average," he
said.
[image] Cracked mud in a dry outback creek bed.
Entomologist Dr Cameron Webb says dry conditions can affect the
lifecycle of many insects, which in turn affects entire
populations. (ABC: Nicola Gage)
"Mosquito populations, much like a lot of other insects, rely on the
combination of water, humidity and temperature to complete their
lifecycle.
"When you mix around any one of those 3 components you can
really change the local population dynamics."
According to Dr Webb, when conditions are less than ideal the lifespan
of mosquitoes and other insects plummets, thus reducing the
sustainability of the entire population.
"If you're used to living for about 3 weeks when it's nice and
warm and humid, and then you're only living for a week or so because
it's really hot and dry then you don't have to chance to lay as many
eggs, or do as much mating," he said.
"Those things have a knock on effect and it means the overall
populations can often be much lower."
...
--
Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 23 Feb 2018 13:00Z
Floods and landslides in Indonesia leave 7 dead with 13 still missing
Atlanta's flirting with record temps again
Atlanta Journal Constitution, 23 Feb 2018 13:40Z
Renewable energy players leading the way in Ukraine
Kyiv Post, 23 Feb 2018 13:46Z
Alibaba Cloud steps up its game as it offers quantum computing service
South China Morning Post, 23 Feb 2018 15:04Z
Barnaby Joyce's unlikely rise and self-inflicted fall
ABC News, 24 Feb 2018
For a fortnight Barnaby Joyce resembled someone out in the snow who had
broken through the pain threshold, as he defied massive pressure and
political common sense to try to cling to his job. But in the end, the tough
man crumpled, writes Michelle Grattan.
Alarming dry conditions in California setting new records
Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb 2018 15:39Z
Airbus Readies Its Project Vahana Autonomous Air Taxi With A Flight Video
CleanTechnica, 23 Feb 2018 15:56Z
European migration to UK slows as Brexit transition nears
Christian Science Monitor, 23 Feb 2018 16:53Z
Stanford professor withdraws lawsuit over renewable energy paper
The San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb 2018 16:57Z
Europe is set to plunge into historic deep freeze as extreme weather pattern
takes hold
Mashable, 23 Feb 2018 17:49Z
Cyclone Remnant Spawns Horrifying River of Rock in New Zealand
Gizmodo, 23 Feb 2018 17:51Z
Defying NRA, Florida Lawmakers Back Raising Age Limits on Assault Rifles
New York Times, 23 Feb 2018 19:47Z
Trump extends disaster funding for Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria
recovery efforts
The Week Magazine, 23 Feb 2018 19:52Z
Major problems force Brisbane rain radar offline during string of stormy days
ABC News, 23 Feb 2018 20:36Z
It's one of Brisbane's go-to websites whenever it's raining, and it's
unlikely to be up and running any time soon.
The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) weather radar at Mt Stapylton, located
south of Brisbane, was taken offline on Tue night due to major problems,
meaning anyone curious on the rain is unable to best see when it's
approaching the area.
[Projection 101:]
Florida Shooting: Donald Trump says guard 'didn't have the courage'
to intervene
<Loading Image...>
ABC News, 24 Feb 2018 09:02:40