Opiine wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae) are parasitoids of dacine fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae), the primary horticultural pests of Australia and the South Pacific. Effective use of opiines for biological control of fruit flies is limited by poor taxonomy and identification difficulties. To overcome these problems, this thesis had two aims: (i) to carry out traditional taxonomic research on the fruit fly infesting opine braconids of Australia and the South Pacific; and (ii) to transfer the results of the taxonomic research into user friendly diagnostic tools. Curated wasp material was borrowed from all major Australian museum collections holding specimens. This was supplemented by a large body of material gathered as part of a major fruit fly project in Papua New Guinea: nearly 4000 specimens were examined and identified. Each wasp species was illustrated using traditional scientific drawings, full colour photomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. An electronic identification key was developed using Lucid software and diagnostic images were loaded on the web-based Pest and Diseases Image Library (PaDIL). A taxonomic synopsis and distribution and host records for each of the 15 species of dacine-parasitising opiine braconids found in the South Pacific is presented. Biosteres illusorius Fischer (1971) was formally transferred to the genus Fopius and a new species, Fopius ferrari Carmichael and Wharton (2005), was described. Other species dealt with were Diachasmimorpha hageni (Fullaway, 1952), D. kraussii (Fullaway, 1951), D. longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905), D. tryoni (Cameron, 1911), Fopius arisanus (Sonan, 1932), F. deeralensis (Fullaway, 1950), F. schlingeri Wharton (1999), Opius froggatti Fullaway (195), Psyttalia fijiensis (Fullaway, 1936), P. muesebecki (Fischer, 1963), P. novaguineensis (Szépliget, 1900i) and Utetes perkinsi (Fullaway, 1950). This taxonomic component of the thesis has been formally published in the scientific literature. An interactive diagnostics package (“OpiineID”) was developed, the centre of which is a Lucid based multi-access key. Because the diagnostics package is computer based, without the space limitations of the journal publication, there is no pictorial limit in OpiineID and so it is comprehensively illustrated with SEM photographs, full colour photographs, line drawings and fully rendered illustrations. The identification key is only one small component of OpiineID and the key is supported by fact sheets with morphological descriptions, host associations, geographical information and images. Each species contained within the OpiineID package has also been uploaded onto the PaDIL website (www.padil.gov.au). Because the identification of fruit fly parasitoids is largely of concern to fruit fly workers, rather than braconid specialists, this thesis deals directly with an area of growing importance to many areas of pure and applied biology; the nexus between taxonomy and diagnostics. The Discussion chapter focuses on this area, particularly the opportunities offered by new communication and information tools as new ways delivering the outputs of taxonomic science.

Bibliography: leaves 175-191. / xx, 191 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) is a solitary endoparasitoid of the eggs of many pentatomid bugs. It is a quasi-gregarious scelenoid and aggressively defends host patches. In the Adelaide (S. Aust.) region its most abundant host is the native horehound bug, Agonoscelis rutila (Fabricius). This study of patch defence draws together important areas of research in parasitoid behavioural ecology, including the theories of adaptive superparasitism, sex ratio decisions, foraging behaviour and contest resolution. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Crop Protection, 1997

Bibliography: leaves 165-188. / ix, 188 leaves, [2] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This research examines biological and behavioural interactions among the diamond-back moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), Cotesia plutellae Kurdjumov (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the microbial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner. A deterministic simulation model is developed describing the influence of C. plutellae on the evolution of resistance to Bt in a diamond-back moth poulation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Crop Protection, 1998

Bibliography: leaves 158-166. / xii, 166 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This study uses game-theoretic models to examine patch defence behavior in the guasi-gregarious parasitoid Trissolcus basalis Wollaston and applies Evolutionary Stable Strategies to information exchanges between opponents. Two issues were studied : the resolution of roles from patch competition, and role dependent strategies used to maximise potential fitness gains from a patch. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Applied Mathematics, 1999

Bibliography: leaves 158-166. / xii, 166 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This study uses game-theoretic models to examine patch defence behavior in the guasi-gregarious parasitoid Trissolcus basalis Wollaston and applies Evolutionary Stable Strategies to information exchanges between opponents. Two issues were studied : the resolution of roles from patch competition, and role dependent strategies used to maximise potential fitness gains from a patch. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Applied Mathematics, 1999

Bibliography: leaves 113-144. / ix, 144 leaves, [56] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Investigates the functions of the maternal, protein secretions of the endoparasitoid wasps Venturia canescens Gravenhorst regarding their role in providing protection against the host's immune system. Also investigates mucinous protein secretions on the egg surface and coagulation reactions and their role in protecting eggs against host cellular attacks. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Applied & Molecular Ecology, 2002

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Crop Protection, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 165-188).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Crop Protection, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-151).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Crop Protection, 1997. / Errata and addenda attached. Bibliography: leaves 195-211.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.