Insect pests and their control - The Reg-legged earth mite and the lucerne flea

For many years the red-legged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor (Tucker)) and the lucerne flea (Smynthurus viridis L.) have been serious pests of pastures and leguminous crops in Western Australia. Under certain seasonal conditions, damage has also been done to cereals such as oats and barley and every year some damage is done to vegetable and flower gardens. Until recently, the control of both the earth mite and the lucerne flea was uneconomic on large areas due to the cost of material and the heavy application rates which were necessary. Recent investigations with new insecticides, however, have completely changed the picture and have provided farmers with cheap and effective methods for controlling both pests