Department of Health Library Services ePublications - Historical Collection
Please Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this publication may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.
Purpose
To apply preservation treatments, including digitisation, to a high value and vulnerable Historical collection of items held in the Darwin and Alice Springs libraries so that the items may be accessed without causing further damage to the original items and provide accessibility for stakeholders.
Reference and Research Disclaimer
Please note: this document is part of the Historical Collection and the information contained within may be out of date.
This copy is a reproduction of an original record. Please note that the quality of the original record may be poor and cannot be enhanced with the scanning process.
Northern Territory Department of Health Library Services Historical Collection
•
[ DL HIST
614.432BOO
1987Of~AIIIHHNT fY' MfAl TH AH) CC)lillla..Nr, ••vtt:lS
No.
A BITING INSECT SURVEY OF SECTION 2883, HUNDRED OF GLYDE
BYNOE HARBOUR AREA AUGUST 1987
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
CCNTACT: MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY BRANCH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES GPO BOX 1701
DARWIN NT 0801
TELEPHONE: 20 8333 Peter Whelan
Senior Medical Entomologist
HISTORICAL COLLECTION
6i1G
? ~ ~S - SS-0~7 '2.5,2 ,9S
A BITING INSECT SURVEY OF SECTION 2883, HUNDRED OF GLYDE
BYNOE HARBOUR AREA AUGUST 1987
David Booth, Graham Dobson and Peter Whelan MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY BRANCH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
CENTRAL LIBRARY - 6 MAR 1998
TERRITORY Hl=AlTH SERVICES
"DL HIST
t;14 A .52
e.oo
133'1'
46344
A BITING INSECT SURVEY OF SECTION 2883, HUNDRED OF GLYDE, BYNOE HARBOUR AREA
1. 0 Background
A Preliminary Environmental Report concerning the development of this section has outlined a number of features of the proposed development that are important with respect to mosquito and other biting insect pests.
2. 0 The biting Insect Survey A biting insect
20-21st August present were Coquillettidia
survey showed
Culex
conducted in the section on the main mosquito species annulirostris and xanthogaster <Table 1, Map 1). The first is the major Australian arbovirus vector, and the second a nuisance species (ie i t bites man but is not known as a vector of diseases). Mosquito numbers would be much higher in the early dry - up to four times these numbers in this topography. The well-drained nature of this area indicates that Cx annulirostris should not be a major problem species although i t will be significant enough to warrant personal protection measures in the early dry season.
An area known as 'the narrows' to the south-east of the section may produce problem numbers of the mosquitoes at certain times of the year.
The primary Australian malaria vector, Anopheles farauti was not collected in the section. Other less important
collected, but months of peak the density of especially high.
potential malaria vectors were not in high numbers. Even in the Anopheles activity, April to July,
these mosquitoes is unlikely to be
Nevertheless, the numbers of all mosquito species trapped in this survey indicate that for much of the year people will need to practice mosquito avoidance procedures, particularly after dusk.
Probably of much greater significance is the very high numbers of biting midges (Culicoides §..P..P. ) collected. The most common species,
L
ornatus, is a pest of man which can disperse at least a kilometre from its breeding site, the neap tide zone of the mangrove creeks.2
This species occurs in highest numbers in the few days after the neap and spring tides. The large numbers collected in this brief survey were collected when the biting midge population would be expected to be at its lowest. Consequently we can conclude there are extremely high numbers of this pest species in the section. Further, from data from other Top End localities i t is clear this species will be a pest throughout the year. The high catches of this pest at all trap sites indicate that only the allottments on the south western and south eastern fringe of the section are likely to have some relief from the pest.
3. 0 Comment on the PER
The roads and drainage plans described in the report should minimise disruption of natural drainage lines and facilitate dispersal of water from the section.
The floodways (presumably with culverts) at the two points where roads cross major drainage lines, the siting of roads along ridgelines, the provision for table drains, public open spaces and stormwater drainage reserves in the appropriate areas should ensure no new significant mosquito breeding areas are created.
In addition, new breeding areas are unlikely to be created as a result of siltation since low scale development is expected on individual blocks, the area is generally gently sloping and the mangrove arm quite steep sided.
The large size of the density of the area minimise the risk trans mission.
lots will keep the population comparitively low and thus of vector-borne disease
The provision of water for each block may present a problem. Any rainwater tanks or other water storage containers should be sealed to prevent mosquito access and breeding. The planned sewerage disposal should also be implemented so that mosquito access to any standing water is prevented. The sign advertising the development at the site itself, and the P. E. R. differ on an important point. The former states a communal bore will be available, but the latter makes no mention of i t.
Although the development is unlikely to increase the biting insect numbers in the area, i t should be noted that lot owners can be expected to have considerable biting insect problems.
3
It is important that potential purchasers be made aware of this factor. The only way people can minimise the effects of the biting insect pests is through use of repellents, protective clothing and insect proof living areas. Insecticides and source reduction are impractical as the breeding areas are diffuse and treatment not cost-effective or ecologically sound.
Finally, an already significant mosquito problem could be exacerbated i f inadequately drained borrow pits or other water retention features are created during road and drain construction.
4.0 Conclusions
1. The area has very high numbers of the biting midge,
L
ornatus which will seriously affect people on all but the south-western and south-eastern fringe of the section.2. Mosquito numbers would be high from April to September, and possibly to the beginning of the wet.
Of particular abundance are Cx annulirostris and
Q.g_ xanthogaster
3. Potential malaria vectors are section but they are not likely to abundant.
present in the be particularly
4. The only way to minimise the effect of these biting insect pests is through personal protection
<use of repellents> and mosquito avoidance (living in insect proof residences).
5. The development has been well designed with regard to drainage, and no major increase in biting insect breeding areas is likely i f the plans are implemented.
6. Individual lot owners could increase mosquito breeding of certain species i f water storage or sewerage disposal facility are not sealed to prevent mosquito access, and if access roads impede natural drainage lines.
David Booth Entomologist
Medical etEntomology Branch
Department of Health and Community Services 24th August, 1 987
\Lr
•
Tab 1 e 1 . B 1 t I n q 1 n s e <:ts r: o l l er: t F cJ I n 1:: u r b on d 1 o-: 1 r:l e tr a p s 1 n Sect I on 2 8 8 3
20-21 Auaust , 1987 (trap sites shown on Map 1)
Species Trap S de
1 2 3 4 5 6
··-
An annul ipes 1 1
An meraukensis 7 . .)
An bancroft ii 2 1 1 8 2
An hi l l i 1
Cq xanlhoqaster 444 223 136 203 68 172
Ha unit'ormis 1
Ae tremulus 1 1
Ae elchoensis 1
Cx annul irostr is 148 167 41 103 68 93
Cx bi taen i or·hvnchus 1
Mosquito Total 595 392 178 309 149 268
C. ornatus 2380 2430 890 1230 300 66Cln
C. hewitti 80 70 35 300
C. marksii 40 75 100 100
C. brevitarsis 400
C. SD (unknown) 270
Biting Midge Total 2500 2500 1000 1500 800 7000
