A field study on the biology of the underground grass caterpillar, Oncopera Fasciculata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), in South Australia.

1954 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
PE Madge

This paper describes field studies on the biology and behaviour of Oncopera fasciculata (Walker), an important insect pest of improved pastures in the lower south-east of South Australia and the central and western districts of Victoria. Moths fly at dusk during September-October and mate mainly on upright grasses during these flights. The onset of flights seems to be related to a light stimulus but no correlation could be found from the data collected. Eggs are laid on the ground under pasture, where the female shelters at night and during the day; most eggs are laid within 24 hr after mating. Larvae appear in from 3 to 5 wk and live for a short while in communities at the surface of the ground under silken webbing before building individual vertical tunnels in the soil. Larvae emerge from their tunnels along silken runways to feed on surface growth. Annual grasses and clovers are more susceptible to attack than perennials. Feeding continues from October to July and visible damage appears about May, depending upon seasonal conditions. Prepupae appear in July and pucae during July-September.

2021 ◽  
pp. 095679762097751
Author(s):  
Li Zhao ◽  
Jiaxin Zheng ◽  
Haiying Mao ◽  
Xinyi Yu ◽  
Jiacheng Ye ◽  
...  

Morality-based interventions designed to promote academic integrity are being used by educational institutions around the world. Although many such approaches have a strong theoretical foundation and are supported by laboratory-based evidence, they often have not been subjected to rigorous empirical evaluation in real-world contexts. In a naturalistic field study ( N = 296), we evaluated a recent research-inspired classroom innovation in which students are told, just prior to taking an unproctored exam, that they are trusted to act with integrity. Four university classes were assigned to a proctored exam or one of three types of unproctored exam. Students who took unproctored exams cheated significantly more, which suggests that it may be premature to implement this approach in college classrooms. These findings point to the importance of conducting ecologically valid and well-controlled field studies that translate psychological theory into practice when introducing large-scale educational reforms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Landau K

Plane deicing is mandatory to insure safe plane take-off. Previous human factors studies have shown that open-basket deicing activity can be improved. The objective of the paper is to compare heart rate assessment models within a field study with numerous influencing variables and small sample size as well as to deepen our understanding of the most demanding openbasket tasks using cardiac output. A field study in a Canadian centered plane deicing facility was conducted in 2016-2017. 12 participants contributed to a thorough description and analysis of open-basket deicing activities. Respiratory and cardiac output of these participants was collected using Hexoskin vests. Working heart rate, heart rate reserves as well as calculations of absolute cardiac cost were done. Working heart rate (WHR), Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) and Absolute Cardiac Cost (ACC) do not behave uniformly for the majority of participants. In field studies with a large number of influencing variables on the heart rate, it is usually not sufficient to consider one single evaluation measure like WHR. In the interest of protecting employees, it seems to make sense to use the more cautious measures HRR or ACC as parameters instead of WHR. Superimposed activities (e.g. forced postures and dynamic use of upper body) have a significant effect on heart rate increases. In 8 out of 11 cases we have fatigue-related increases in heart rate over the observation period. Similar studies need to be conducted in other aircraft deicing facilities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Ryo Oda ◽  
Ryota Ichihashi

Previous field experiments have found that artificial surveillance cues facilitated prosocial behaviors such as charitable donations and littering. Several previous field studies found that the artificial surveillance cue effect was stronger when few individuals were in the vicinity; however, others reported that the effect was stronger in large groups of people. Here, we report the results of a field study examining the effect of an artificial surveillance cue (stylized eyes) on charitable giving. Three collection boxes were placed in different locations around an izakaya (a Japanese-style tavern) for 84 days. The amount donated was counted each experimental day, and the izakaya staff provided the number of patrons who visited each day. We found that the effect of the stylized eyes was more salient when fewer patrons were in the izakaya. Our findings suggest that the effect of the artificial surveillance cue is similar to that of “real” cues and that the effect on charitable giving may weaken when people habituate to being watched by “real” eyes. 


1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg Daugovish ◽  
Drew J. Lyon ◽  
David D. Baltensperger

Field studies were conducted from 1990 through 1997 to evaluate the long-term effect of 2- and 3-yr rotations on the control of downy brome, jointed goatgrass, and feral rye in winter wheat. At the completion of the study, jointed goatgrass and feral rye densities averaged 8 plants/m2and < 0.1 plant/m2for the 2- and 3-yr rotations, respectively. Downy brome densities averaged < 0.5 plant/m2for both the 2- and 3-yr rotations, with no treatment differences observed. Winter annual grasses were not eradicated after two cycles of the 3-yr rotations, but weed densities were reduced 10-fold compared to densities after one cycle and more than 100-fold compared with the 2-yr rotations. Wheat grain contamination with dockage and foreign material followed a similar trend. The 3-yr rotations were economically competitive with 2-yr rotations and provided superior control of the winter annual grass weeds.


1961 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
DA Maelzer

The distribution and abundance of the univoltine species A. tasmaniae in the lower south-east of South Australia appears to be related to annual rainfall. The effects of moisture on the mortality rates of the immature stages were consequently studied and observations were made of the effects of variations in moisture in the field. Laboratory experiments and field observations suggested that variations in soil moisture have little effect on the eggs and the diapausing prepupae in the field. Eggs absorbed water and hatched normally within a pF range of 2.50-3.75 in a sand and in a clay loam. At pF 4.0 in both soils, eggs lost weight and did not hatch. The adults, however, tend to lay the eggs well within the pF range in which the eggs can develop, and soil samples suggested that eggs would develop with little mortality in the kinds of places in which they are usually laid. When prepupae enter diapause they have a water content of c. 77%. When desiccated in the laboratory, few prepupae died until their water content fell below 62%. The mortality rate then increased sharply, and it was estimated that 50% of the prepupae died when their water content dropped to 57%. Droughts of sufficient duration and intensity to kill 50% of the prepupae have never been recorded from the study area, and field observations suggested that few prepupae died of desiccation in summer. Unlike the two stages above, the first and third instar larvae may be markedly affected by variations in moisture in the field. The first instar larvae, after hatching, do not move to the surface of the soil and do not feed much until the soil is saturated with rain. As rainfall is variable at this time of the year, the larvae may be in dry soil for many weeks before they are stimulated to extend their burrows to the surface and search for food. Many larvae may die of starvation during this time, and the mortality rate of the larvae was related empirically to the length of the autumn "drought". Third instar larvae may be affected, on the other hand, by excessive water. In wet winters, vast numbers of larvae are drowned when extensive flooding occurs on the poorly-drained soils, and on well-drained soils a large proportion of larvae are killed by the entomophagous fungus Cordyceps aphodii. The above data have suggested that moisture is one of the major factors affecting the distribution and abundance of the species. Temperature has little effect on the rate of increase of the species.


1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (122) ◽  
pp. 228 ◽  
Author(s):  
MPB Deland ◽  
RW Ponzoni ◽  
RW McNeil

Hereford, Charolais and Brahman sires were mated to Hereford, Shorthorn, Jersey and Friesian xshorthorn cows for four successive years from June 1969 at Struan Research Centre in South Australia. Assistance was given during 15 .9% of calvings resulting from Charolais sires, 6.8% resulting from Brahman sires and 2.1% from Hereford sires (differences statistically significant, P < 0 05). A greater percentage of Friesian x Shorthorn (13.8) than of Shorthorn (5.0) or Jersey (4 3) cows were assisted at birth (P< 0.05). There were no significant differences between the percentage of Hereford cows assisted (10.9) and that of any of the other dam breeds. There were no significant differences in calf mortality among sire breeds or among dam breeds. Charolais-sired calves were heavier at birth, 270,340 and 430 d old and had heavier (1 95 kg) carcasses with a smaller proportion of fat than Brahman- and Hereford-sired carcasses (180 and 167 kg respectively) at 430d old. Brahman-sired calves were heavier than Hereford-sired calves at birth, 370, 430 d old. However, they were significantly lighter at 270 d old. Hereford cows gave birth to significantly heavier calves than Shorthorn and Jersey cows but there were no clear differences due to dam breed in growth rates of calves, carcass weights or composition. It was concluded that the use of Charolais sires in the lower South East of South Australia can result in significant increases in the growth rate of slaughter cattle and in the production of leaner carcasses. Brahman sires did not exhibit clear advantages over Hereford sires. No definite conclusions could be drawn about the dam breeds examined in the study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s42-s42
Author(s):  
Malinda Steenkamp ◽  
Kirstin Ross ◽  
Harriet Whiley ◽  
Emmanuel Chubaka ◽  
Paul Arbon

Introduction:Roof-harvested rainwater held in domestic tanks is used for a variety of purposes in Australia, including drinking and irrigation. There is limited evidence about the quality of rainwater after bushfires. Current health guidelines can be interpreted that landholders need to drain their rainwater tanks to avoid the risk of contamination. Anecdotal reports indicate that following such advice caused additional distress to landowners affected by bushfires in South Australia. Sustainable water management is important for future resilience and more evidence on water quality following bushfires is needed.Aim:This project investigated whether there is contamination of roof-harvested rainwater after bushfires, and if so, whether such water was safe for various purposes.Methods:In 2017 we tested artificially contaminated water spiked with chemicals associated with bushfires (chromated copper arsenate-treated ash and firefighting foam) and conducted a pilot field study using two purposely built roofs during a pre-fire season burn off. A field validation is planned for the summer of 2018/19 (December 2018 - March 2019), i.e., we plan to obtain 200 samples from 50 households affected by bushfire – two samples immediately after the fire event and another two after the first rain.Results:The artificially created contaminated water fell within guidelines for non-potable uses such as irrigation and stock watering, but was found unsuitable for drinking even after being filtered through two commercially available water filtration systems. We also plan to present results from our field study of 50 households.Discussion:Contaminant concentrations, even in artificially spiked water samples, are low and acceptable for non-potable uses. Bottled water should be used for drinking. Landholders should be encouraged to use their water for recovery purposes. Such advice may assist with decreasing the stress experienced by affected landholders and help with recovery efforts through the availability of a greater body of water.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 514-521
Author(s):  
Karen K. Fugate ◽  
Larry G. Campbell ◽  
Giovanny Covarrubias-Pazaran ◽  
Lorraine Rodriguez-Bonilla ◽  
Juan Zalapa

AbstractGermplasm lines with resistance to the sugarbeet root maggot (SBRM) have been developed and released to the public, providing a means to generate hybrids with resistance against the most devastating insect pest of sugarbeet in North America. Effective use of this germplasm, however, requires knowledge of relative strengths of SBRM resistance between lines and knowledge of the diversity and genetic relationships between germplasm. Therefore, field studies comparing SBRM resistance of four released SBRM-resistant germplasm lines (F1015, F1016, F1024 and F1043), a SBRM-resistant parent (PI 179180) and an unreleased SBRM-resistant population (F1055) were performed, and genetic analysis of the diversity and relationships between SBRM-resistant germplasm and their available parents was conducted using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Under natural SBRM infestations, resistant germplasm exhibited significantly less SBRM damage than a susceptible control, with similar, high levels of resistance in F1016, F1024, F1043, F1055 and PI 179180 and lower resistance in F1015. SSR analysis revealed genetic similarities between F1016, F1024 and F1055, while F1015 and F1043 were genetically distinct from these lines. Among resistant genotypes, F1015 and F1043 exhibited greatest and least within-line genetic diversity, indicating greater and lesser inbreeding for F1043 and F1015, respectively. Similarities in damage ratings and genetics for F1016, F1024 and F1055 indicate that these lines are likely to be equally effective at introducing SBRM resistance into elite populations and in combining ability. In contrast, F1043, with its unique parentage and genetic dissimilarity from other resistant lines, provides a genetically distinct, but similarly effective, source of SBRM resistance.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Bryson ◽  
Richard Carter

Greenhouse, growth chamber, and field studies were conducted at Stoneville, MS, in 2000 to 2008, to determine the growth rate, reproductive and overwintering potential, and control of deeproot sedge. In growth chamber studies, deeproot sedge growth rate (ht) and plant dry wt were greatest at 25/35 C (night/day temperatures), when compared with regimes of 5/15, 15/25, and 20/30 C. Based on the average number of scales (fruiting sites per spikelet), spikelets per inflorescence, and culms per plant, deeproot sedge reproductive potential was 2.6-, 6.2-, and 17.4-fold greater than Surinam, green, and knob sedges, respectively. A single deeproot sedge plant produced an average of 85,500 achenes annually. Mowing at 15-cm ht weekly prevented achene production but did not kill deeproot sedge plants. The average number of inflorescences produced on mowed plants was 1.2 to 4 times greater in 2- and 1-yr-old deeproot sedge plants, respectively, when compared with unmowed plants. Mature deeproot sedge achenes were produced between monthly mowings. In a 3-yr field study, glyphosate, glufosinate, hexazinone, and MSMA provided more than 85% control of deeproot sedge, and above the soil, live deeproot sedge plant dry wt was reduced by 50, 64, 68, 72, 86, and 93% by dicamba, halosulfuron-methyl, MSMA, hexazinone, glufosinate, and glyphosate, respectively. All (100%) deeproot sedge plants 1 yr old or older overwintered at Stoneville, MS, at 33°N latitude.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kleanthis Simyrdanis ◽  
Ian Moffat ◽  
Nikos Papadopoulos ◽  
Jarrad Kowlessar ◽  
Marian Bailey

This study explores the applicability and effectiveness of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as a tool for the high-resolution mapping of submerged and buried shipwrecks in 3D. This approach was trialled through modelling and field studies of Crowie, a paddle steamer barge which sunk at anchor in the Murray River at Morgan, South Australia, in the late 1950s. The mainly metallic structure of the ship is easily recognisable in the ERT data and was mapped in 3D both subaqueously and beneath the sediment-water interface. The innovative and successful use of ERT in this case study demonstrates that 3D ERT can be used for the detailed mapping of submerged cultural material. It will be particularly useful where other geophysical and diver based mapping techniques may be inappropriate due to shallow water depths, poor visibility, or other constraints.


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