EFFECTIVENESS OF NEOMOLGUS-CAPILLATUS (KRAMER) (ACARINA, BDELLIDAE) AS A PREDATOR OF SMINTHURUS-VIRIDIS (L) (COLLEMBOLA, SMINTHURIDAE) IN NORTHWESTERN TASMANIA

Autumn populations of lucerne flea, Sminthurus viridis, have been redu ced by about 95% to non-damaging levels in north-west Tasmania by the addition of the introduced predator the spiny snout mite, Neomolgus ca pillatus, to the established predator complex. Low activity of N. capi llatus in early spring reduced its ability to control S. viridis later in spring. The possible use of an additional predator; a whirligig mi te, Anystis wallacei Otto, that could improve control of spring popula tions is discussed.