Under Control Pest and Management News

June 2005 Number 30

Weeds at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 2005

he ‘Future Choice GardenT Centre’ exhibit at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) put weeds into a new perspective in the minds of the buying public. MIFGS took place from 6 to 10 April 2005 in the Carlton Gardens. The Future Choice weeds awareness display was in the form of a nursery and garden centre, with the theme ‘Your Garden, Our Future’, and exhibited a range of invasive garden alongside less- invasive, safer alternatives The display was conceived and brought to fruition by Graphic: Rob Pelletier. DPI, DSE, the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (RBG) and the Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV), with support from the Weeds CRC and the Weed Society of Victoria. A display of this nature, combining government, nursery industry and community group involvement, is an historic achievement, and was rewarded with a Highly Commended Award from a panel of independent judges. The primary objective of the display was to increase garden and landscape industry and general pub- lic awareness of pest plant issues related to ornamental horticulture. Many current and potential pest plant species are sold in nurseries and informal markets or distributed through garden clubs, botanical societies and landscape designers. The focus of the display was the range of invasive pest plants in Australia that were originally garden plants or are still grown in gardens. It is vital that the under- standing and cooperation of home gardeners are gained if we are to succeed in preventing the further spread of these plants and the introduction of new ones. Informing gardeners and the industry is a key component of the government’s Victorian Pest Management – A Framework for Action. An extensive team of DPI and RBG staff assisted in the set-up, staffing, and dismantling of the MIFGS display. DPI enforces the noxious weeds provisions of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 and is also responsible for identifying and acting on new and emerging weeds, so the MIFGS 2005 display was an effective way for DPI to showcase and transfer this information to visitors. Before the show opened, DPI also conducted a compliance investigation involving the inspection of all the show sites for declared State Prohibited Weeds, to ensure that these plants would not be exhibited. ...continued page 3. The Future Choice Garden Centre received a “Highly Commended” award for outdoor feature displays (Photo: Rob Pelletier).

Department of Sustainability and Environment Department of Primary Industries Page  No. 30 June 2005 Under Control

Under Control - Reader Survey National Pest Plant and Animal Biosecurity Management News n February 2005 DPI and DSE commis- sionedI an evaluation of Under Control Centre with the objective of providing evidence ISSN 1328-2425 of what readers think of the magazine, to Quarterly publication of the inform future funding decisions, and to The Victorian Government will Department of Sustainability and help determine the role of Under Control invest almost $6 million through the Environment and the Department of as a tool for disseminating information State Budget to conduct a feasibility Primary Industries,Victoria, Australia about the Victorian Pest Management study to facilitate the establishment Framework. The evaluation was under- of a National Biosecurity Centre © State of Victoria, Department of taken by a consultant, Andrew Ross, on Primary Industries, 2005 in Melbourne. The centre will behalf of the Practice Change Platform harness Victoria’s significant scien- Editor: Ian Faithfull. of DPI’s Catchment and Agriculture Services. A reader survey was distributed tific biosecurity research capacity to Editorial Committee: Julie McGeary, in February/March to all 2530 ‘subscrib- strengthen the State’s position as a El Bruzzese and Michael Rosier. ers’. The evaluation also included a world leader in biosecurity. Typesetting: Les Bould. random telephone sample of 80 subscrib- As Australia’s largest agriculture pro- Printer: Doran Printing, 46 Industrial ers to gauge more specific qualitative ducing State, worth $8.7 billion last information. Drive, Braeside, Victoria, 3195 year, and the chief exporter of food The return rate for the questionnaire Printed on 100% recycled paper and fibre products, the Government was 33%. Around 150 respondents asked is committed to protecting, sustaining Under Control is available in hard to change from hard copy to email, more than doubling the number of and growing these industries and the (paper) copy, by email as a pdf file or electronic copies to be distributed. Very jobs that depend on these. The new on the Department of Sustainabilty few respondents indicated that they did centre will reinforce Victoria’s posi- and Environment web site. not read Under Control (25 out of a total of tion as a leader in biosecurity research 829). Those contacted by telephone were diagnostics and animal and plant To have your name added to the disproportionately represented in this disease management whilst contrib- mailing list or for enquiries please figure. 73% read every issue and 20% read uting to a strong economy through contact: most issues, and more than half of the creating jobs and being responsive to DPI - Frankston respondents pass their copy on to other domestic and international demands PO Box 48, Frankston, Victoria, 3199 people. for safe, clean produce. DX 211791 The review found that: “Under Control Phone (03) 9785 0111 was easily the most valuable source of The next generation of technology Facsimile (03) 9785 2007 information on pest plant and animal supporting biosecurity preparedness Email: [email protected] management for respondents, with and emergency response is through Internet: www.dpi.vic.gov.au almost twice the support of the next the application of molecular sci- most valuable source (‘contacting other ences and diagnostics. The proposed Please let us know if you have people’). While respondents from all sec- centre would allow the consolidation changed your address or no longer tors value the magazine, the data suggests of much of Victoria’s biosecurity wish to receive the newsletter. that on-the-ground representatives value it the most. Levels of satisfaction with the research capacity into one facility and Readers should feel free to circulate magazine were particularly high with the keep Victoria at the forefront of plant and pass on Under Control. Permission sectors regarded as being practitioners: and animal biosecurity research by is readily granted for articles to be Landcare groups, farmers, weed spotters allowing DPI researchers to combine reproduced in other publications if the and the public.” with a university, the CSIRO and author and source are acknowledged. The most frequently used sources for other partners. Such collaboration Please contact the Editor and send us information on pest plant and animal will further improve Victoria’s ability a copy. management (other than Under Control) to meet present and future biosecurity DSE and DPI are cited were (in order of popularity): text- and bioterrorism threats and provide contributing participants in books, contacting other people, Landcare the basis for improvements in detec-

the Cooperative Research Notes, The Weekly Times and websites. tion and disease control over the next Centre for Australian Weed Readers nominated chemical control Management few decades. The Government is in information and best practice control discussions with the Commonwealth methods for particular pests or situations as the most difficult information to access, and LaTrobe University at Bundoora Disclaimer so we’ll need to give them more attention. to co-locate areas of existing and new The advice provided in this publication is The review concluded that: “Overall, plant and animal disease research intended as a source of information only. Under Control appears to be achieving a and diagnostic capabilities with DPI. Always read the label before using any difficult balancing act of providing useful of the chemical products mentioned. The information to a number of different State of Victoria and its employees do not sectors, albeit with a common interest guarantee that the publication is without of managing pest plants and . be progressively addressing the issues and criticisms raised by readers that were flaw of any kind, or is wholly appropriate Any future statement of purpose for the noted in the review. We thank the reader- for your particular purposes and therefore magazine should take into account who reads it and proceed cautiously with any ship for their support and hope that we disclaims all liability for any error, loss or can improve the magazine in the future. other consequence which may arise from alterations that might alienate any one part of this audience.” Ian Faithfull, Editor you relying on any information in this publication. The Editorial Committee and Editor will Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 

continued from page 1.

RBG staff assisted visitors with plant selection advice and with the many home garden weed control enquiries that inevitably arise in discussions about garden weeds. A major contribution by the RBG was the top quality site design by Andrew Laidlaw, the resident landscape architect. This was supported by the good plant knowledge represented in the RBG. DPI employed Rob Pelletier, trading as R.J. Pelletier Pty Ltd, as a highly experienced Project Manager for the exercise, assisting the DPI team leader Daniel Joubert. The Victorian Minister for Agriculture, The Honourable Robert Cameron MLA, opened the exhibit. The display occupied a high exposure site which was classified under the One of the postcards distributed at the garden show. ‘Landscape Gardens’ category and was required to contain significant, provided high quality design ideas Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens high quality garden design features. to inspire visitors and comprised (Melbourne and Cranbourne), Smith The garden centre theme was an ideal safer alternatives for coastal, shade, & Gordon Nursery and the Victorian context to exhibit invasive garden grass, succulent and water gardens. Indigenous Nurseries Co-operative. plants alongside less-invasive, safer Visitors were able to collect postcards DPI and a few NGIV members alternatives, underlining the role with planting guides for each of supplied most of the weedy plant of the garden centre in providing these garden themes. Show-specific species. non-weedy selections. This display publications were produced by DPI, A total of approximately 120,000 method allowed the use of significant as were general environmental weed people visited MIFGS, an estimated interpretative material in the form of publications. The involvement of one third being international tourists point-of-sale posters, signs and plant the RBG highlighted the potential and one third from other Australian labels. A large amount of information to show leadership and influence visi- states. Feedback from members of the could be imparted passively in this tors from organisations involved in public was overwhelmingly positive. way compared to a pure landscaped public open space management, such The weed display in the midst of the garden setting where signage and as local government. labels would have detracted from the nursery industry’s premier showcase presentation. The point-of-sale post- The garden centre building provided was a strong and positive way to con- ers were used to leaven the messages a suitable setting to display further vey messages, not only to the home with some humour and make a point interpretative material in the form gardener, but also to the industry and about invasiveness in general. of a large wall chart and brochures professional open space managers. as well as a space for staff to interact From the DSE/DPI perspective the The garden centre concept also with visitors. This setting was used to opportunity to engage with large highlighted the role of plant nurser- reinforce the role of the garden centre numbers of gardeners was invalu- ies as responsible and authoritative as a place to obtain good advice on able: the event enabled us to present sources of knowledge. A set of plant selection, weed identification weed awareness messages in positive compact displays allowed a focus on and weed management. Compared ways, to receptive audiences. The a variety of quite different garden with a landscaped garden, where comment, “This exhibit is the best themes within the one site. This much of the area must be out of in the show, because it makes you would have been be far more dif- bounds, the garden centre layout, think” (or words to that effect) was ficult to achieve in a single unified with two access points, enabled large regularly heard. garden design. The display vignettes numbers of visitors to occupy and efficiently move through the site. Several independent businesses supported the exhibit by supplying plants and materials, including Repeat Products (decking and seats) and Fud Products (mulch and compost). Plants for display purposes were loaned by Dan’s Plants, Lotus Water

Left and right. Part of the Future Choice Garden Centre display (Photos: John Weiss). Page  No. 30 June 2005 Under Control

Crackdown on the sale of illegal weeds in Victoria Penny Gillespie, DPI Frankston

PI is intensifying its enforcement focusD on the sale and transporta- tion of declared noxious weeds by Victorian plant growers and retail- ers. In particular, the sale of State Prohibited Weeds, those listed in Category 1 under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, are being targeted to prevent the distribution of these potentially devastating plants. Offenders may face court with fines of up to $12,000 for serious offences. Officers are inspecting the plant trade industry to ensure State Prohibited Weeds are not being offered for sale. If these plants are discovered, the business owner will be asked to surrender them, and information will be gathered about how and where they were acquired, so as the original source can be traced. State Prohibited Weeds have been scientifically assessed for their potential impact, and have been rated as highly invasive and a major threat to Victoria. Currently their low level of occurrence means that the cost of eradication is small compared to the potential costs if they were left to spread unimpeded. The presence of State Prohibited Weeds in plant nurseries will result in the removal of the stock and may require the tempo- rary closure of parts of the nursery if a weed has become established. Ten new weeds were added to the ex- isting list of fourteen State Prohibited Weeds in May 2003. The new weeds include all species of horsetails (Equisetum spp.), knotweeds (Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, F.x bohemica), Karoo thorn and giraffe thorn (Acacia karroo and A. erioloba), all species of Potted horsetails (Equisetum spp.) surrendered by a plant nursery in the Geelong Hieracium hawkweeds ( spp.), lobed region (Photo: Donna Smithyman). needle-grass (Nassella charruana), Mexican feather-grass (N. tenuissima) as garden plants in the past and it this we need the cooperation of all and branched broomrape (Orobanche is essential that we now find and growers. The more cooperation we ramosa). In Victoria, it is now illegal remove them before they become get, the more quickly the risk can be to sell any plant material from these a problem. State Prohibited Weeds removed. Members of the public are species, including contaminated soil recently found for sale include water asked to report the sale or location of and mulch. hyacinth and salvinia, both floating State Prohibited Weeds to their near- DPI is responsible for the eradication pond plants, and horsetails. est DPI office or to the Department’s of all State Prohibited Weeds and Customer Service Centre. Tony Lovick, DPI Pest Plants Program is asking any growers and retailers Manager advises that currently A complete list of all Victoria’s declared who possess them to contact their anyone volunteering information noxious weeds can be found on the nearest departmental office, as soon about State Prohibited Weeds will DPI website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or as possible, to arrange for inspection not be prosecuted for possession of obtained by contacting the Customer and removal of the plants. Some of these species. DPI efforts are focused Service Centre on 136 186. these species have been sold legally on eradicating these plants, and to do Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 

Mexican feather grass spotted in Melbourne garden

n March, Dr David McLaren, leader The first Australian infestation The landowner was extremely helpful ofI the agricultural weeds section of was found in a domestic garden in and friendly, but his offer of a cup of Primary Industries Research Victoria Tamworth, northern NSW, in 2004, tea was declined. All the plants in the was walking his two dogs in Ivanhoe where four planted specimens had front and back yards were pulled out in the inner north-east of Melbourne, produced over 250 seedlings. and bagged, including tiny seedlings not far from his home, when he in the lawn. Loose mulch and topsoil Mexican feather grass is very similar noticed a familiar grass growing in near each plant was collected and to serrated tussock, one of Australia’s a front garden. Possibly nobody in bagged, and a large garden log which most damaging weeds, but has the Australia could have been better pre- had become infested with seed stuck potential to occupy a larger area of pared for this unpleasant discovery. all over the bark was hauled away. Australia and to impact even more Or possibly, anyone less well pre- Natasha arranged to take the whole severely. Even in its native haunts pared would not even have noticed. covered ute load to the Wollert in Argentina it is recognised as an McLaren, a Nassella weed expert, had Landfill, by special arrangement, undesirable plant in pastures. found what was the first record of where it was promptly buried as a naturalisation of the State Prohibited On 10 March DPI staff visited the ‘secure load’ in deep landfill under weed Mexican Feathergrass Nassella property to collect samples of the many tonnes of garbage and soil. tenuissima in Victoria. grass, secure the site and speak to the The property will be re-inspected owner to obtain information to enable Mexican feather grass was initially after 6 months to check for any new ‘trace-back’ of the plant to its original imported as a small parcel of seed seedlings that may have emerged. source. Numerous well-established after an order was placed on the It certainly cannot be guaranteed plants were present in both front internet. It then entered the nursery that every propagule was removed and back yards and there were many trade in NSW and Victoria. In recent from the site during a single visit. seedlings. Specimens were for- years a number of nurseries have Re-inspections will aim to find any warded to botanists at the National surrendered Mexican feather grass new seedlings before they are able to Herbarium of Victoria who confirmed stocks, and trade in the plant may set seed. the identification. now have been stopped. However efforts to trace all the plants that have On 5 May DPI Weed Alert Rapid been sold have been only partially Response officers Michael Hansford successful. and Natasha Baldyga visited the site. Community Landcare Facilitator Program Brian Thompson – Catchment and Agriculture Services (North East and Goulburn Broken), DPI

he Community Landcare Environment - Forest Management citrant landholders who undermine FacilitatorT Program, run by DPI’s and Land Victoria (through the Good the efforts of co-operative landhold- Catchment and Agriculture Services Neighbour program) - to undertake ers involved in community-based (CAS), was initiated in 2001 to target weed control that complements work weed control programs. Compliance regionally prohibited and regionally undertaken by private landholders. is only one of the tools used to ensure controlled weeds such as blackberry Major linear reserves occupied by satisfactory weed control programs (Rubus fruticosus), Paterson’s curse Vic Roads, Freight Australia & Pacific are undertaken by landholders and (Echium plantagineum) and silverleaf National have also been targeted. is often used as a last resort. Under nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifo- the program 2500 landholders were lium). The program priorities are Ian Walton, a CAS Compliance contacted by extension officers in determined by the Goulburn Broken Officer from Ovens, said the program 2004 to undertake weed control on Region Weed action plan, with a is already seeing results. “We’ve their properties. Eleven landholders strong emphasis on supporting already seen a major reduction in size have been successfully prosecuted community action, and are jointly and density of infested areas within since the program began in 2001. project areas since the program funded by DPI and the Goulburn Source: DPI News 9 May 2005 Broken Catchment Management began,” he said. “The program has Authority. DPI and CAS play a lead been strongly supported by the role in facilitating the program, which community with over 95 per cent involves extension officers develop- of landholders undertaking weed ing individual work plans for weed control programs.” Uncooperative control on landholders’ properties and recalcitrant landholders have and providing best management been dealt with by DPI Compliance practices for the targeted weed spe- Officers utilising the Catchment and cies. Partnerships were formed with Land Protection Act 1994. Parks Victoria and two divisions of Compliance plays an important role the Department of Sustainability and by providing a means to pursue recal- Page  No. 30 June 2005 Under Control

Water industry concern over sagittaria

he aquatic weed sagittaria, also knownT as arrowhead, is spreading rapidly, posing a major threat to the environment in northern Victoria and southern New South Wales. Forty decision-makers and scientists attended a meeting about the prob- lem sponsored by Goulburn Murray Water in Barooga (near Cobram) in early May and called for the devel- opment of a tri-state action plan. John Kneebone of Parks Victoria in Nathalia said the spread of arrow- head was at crisis point in Barmah Forest, with urgent action required. Goulburn-Murray Water Manager of Natural Resources and Environment Pat Feehan said the weed was undermining the biodiversity of the region’s waterways and wetlands. Murray Valley Water Services Chair Jim McKeown said it was also having a major impact on provision of irrigation water to the region and costing Murray Valley irrigators around $250,000 annually. Sagittaria infestation on the Broken Creek, Nathalia area (Photo: Lalith Gunaskera).

Sagittaria was first identified in the There are also infestations in all of social, economic and environmental Northern Victorian Irrigation System Goulburn-Murray Water’s irrigation impacts. in 1962 in a drain near Katandra districts. West and in the Nine Mile Creek “One is always hearing about near Wunghnu. The size of the Mr Feehan said the group decided potentially ‘bad’ weeds, but this infestations remained steady until immediate action was required, in- workshop and tour left me stunned the early 1980s when the population cluding development of a Basin-wide with the seriousness of this weed in began expanding at a dramatic rate. control strategy; establishment of an our waterways’’ said participant Alex With prolific seed production and arrowhead taskforce supported by Arbuthnot, a member of the Victorian an extensive underwater network of Victoria, South Australia and NSW, Catchment Management Council. rhizomes, roots, corms and sub- along with the Federal Government; Sagittaria species are being assessed merged rosettes, the plant has now declaration of the weed in Victoria as part of Victoria’s current noxious gained a stranglehold on waterways and New South Wales; an immediate weeds review. in northern Victoria. It is the most ban on the sale of the weed as an Source: Goulburn Murray Water abundant plant for many sections ornamental plant through nurseries; media release, Arrowhead at crisis of the Murray River and is choking development of effective control point, 5 May 2005 some sections of the Broken Creek. methods; and further study into the Sagittaria targeted for natural suppression Jean Louis Sagliocco, PIRVic Frankston

PI scientists, along with repre- quality and aquatic biodiversity. sentativesD of several organisations The invasive potential of sagittaria from Victoria, NSW and South makes it a significant threat to the Australia, attended the workshop Murray-Darling Basin. sponsored by Goulburn-Murray The Sagittaria species invasive Water on the aquatic weed sagittaria in Australia originate from the (Sagittaria spp.) at Barooga in May. Americas. They are aggressive Workshop participants inspected perennial plants producing thou- several infestations: large populations sands of floating seeds in summer exist on the Nine Mile and Broken and autumn. As well as being freely Creeks, and the Goulburn and Sagittaria can rapidly choke irrigation transported in water, the seeds are Murray Rivers, threatening water channels (Photo: J. Sagliocco). easily dispersed by water birds. Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 

Dense infestation on the Broken Creek at Numurkah (Photo: J. Sagliocco).

removal is a short-term and expen- sive management option because the plant quickly recolonises cleared areas. Natural enemies of arrowhead are not present in Australia, so biological control may be an option Material collected in 2005 around for the suppression of widespread Cobram differs from species descrip- infestations. The Goulburn Broken tions in the literature and it is not Catchment Management Authority clear at this stage which species are has funded Primary Industries Above and right. The emergent leaves of present in Victoria. Detailed studies sagittaria have long triangular stalks and Research Victoria (PIRVic) scientists will be needed to properly under- are sagittate (arrowhead shaped) or ovate, to investigate its feasibility. The stand the composition and distribu- while the submerged leaves are strap- outcomes of this research will be like and up to 50 cm long. The flowers tion of the Victorian populations. are about 3 cm in diameter with three reported in future issues of Under white petals and occur in whorls of three Trials to control arrowhead with Control. (Photos: J. Sagliocco). herbicides are under way. Mechanical

Mobile compliance team

he Department of Primary During the week of 17 January necessary. In mid April, properties IndustriesT has established a Mobile 2005, the MCTF returned to West requiring works to be undertaken Compliance Task Force (MCTF) to Gippsland to work with local officers were again inspected, to determine boost compliance activities related on the next stage of the operation. whether required control works had to pest plants throughout Victoria. This involved follow-up inspections been completed, with two breaches The MCTF is part of the Enhanced to determine compliance with the of the CaLP Act relating to failure to Enforcement component of the State LMNs, interviewing landholders comply with LMNs for gorse control Government’s $9 million Tackling regarding alleged breaches of the Act, investigated. Further enforcement ac- Weeds on Private Land Initiative and compiling briefs of evidence for tions for non-compliant landholders and will support targeted pest plant potential prosecutions and compli- have been initiated where necessary. compliance activities until 2007. ance entry works. Seven landholders Since 2002, approximately $20,000 failed to meet the requirements of the worth of grants have been provided, The MCTF has successfully com- LMNs, and briefs of evidence were as weed control incentives, to land pleted its first operation in South therefore developed. Two landown- managers in the area. Gippsland, targeting ragwort. In ers have been subsequently prosecut- December 2004 the MCTF oper- The MCTF team will also be under- ed (one of whom was also convicted) ated out of Leongatha and assisted taking compliance activity related to for failing to comply with LMNs in inspecting priority properties the prevention and spread of weeds for ragwort and more prosecutions identified by local Catchment in conjunction with the nursery are expected in the coming months. Management Officers as requiring industry, as well as further work sup- Another two landholders were also compliance action. These properties porting community-based projects for issued directions under Section 70 were spread across West Gippsland the control of established weeds. of the Act to prevent fodder infested in areas around Leongatha, Foster, with ragwort from leaving a property. More information regarding the ‘Tackling Mirboo North, Yarram, Ellinbank Weeds on Private Land’ initiative is and Traralgon. Approximately 1,860 In late February the Task Force available by contacting the DPI Customer ha of land was inspected for the moved on to its next project, support- Service Centre on 136 186 or visit www. presence of ragwort. Eighteen Land ing previous enforcement work on dpi.vic.gov.au/weeds. Management Notices (LMNs) were gorse in the Woodend and Kyneton issued under the Catchment and Land areas of the North Central Catchment. Protection Act 1994 to landholders Properties were inspected, and LMNs who had not undertaken ragwort issued to land managers where control works. Page  No. 30 June 2005 Under Control

All hands on deck for English broom control in the Alps Cathy Allan, English Broom Project Officer, Parks Victoria, Omeo Jean Louis Sagliocco, Quarantine Manager, DPI Frankston

Working together - a multi-agency approach Pests on Public Land Initiative, part information to on-ground managers of a $29 million annual investment by dealing with regenerating broom after Many agencies and landholders are the Victorian Government to manage wildfires. working together to tackle English weeds and pest animals. This Initiative At a recent workshop of DSE and PV broom () in the Alpine is one of Victoria’s largest ever efforts staff to discuss effectiveness of control National Park and neighbouring land to reduce the impact of weeds and pest techniques, the strong message from in Victoria. Building on years of previ- animals on public land. ous chemical and biological control the operational staff was “don’t stop efforts, there is an ongoing strategy Good weed management relies on what you’ve started”. With such an to eradicate isolated English broom partnerships between public and invasive weed (seed can remain viable populations, progressively remove private land managers. During for 80 years!), once we start English broom from catchment headwaters 2004-05, Parks Victoria has also built broom removal at a site we need to and other high priority sites, and partnerships with Goulburn-Murray do everything we can to ensure the contain infestations away from roads, Water, the North East Catchment programs are continued. The use of 4WD tracks and walking tracks, to Management Authority and Australian GPS in control programs to record minimise further spread by vehicles Gold Mines NL. In a recent application isolated patches of broom will help and walkers. for Natural Heritage Trust funding this to happen for decades to come. through the North East CMA, Parks Future directions for biological Victoria also forged partnerships with control the Mittagundi Outdoor Education Centre and the Omeo Angling Club Three species have so far been for mapping and physical removal of released in Australia to assist in English broom, and revegetation on the suppression of English broom, riparian sites. The Shire Councils and however they are unlikely to result Vicroads are also doing their bit, and in the level of control that we desire. the post-fire funds provided by DPI as- Additional natural enemies are sisted many private landholders in the required to complement the activities region to tackle their own infestations. of the twig-mining , psyllid and seed beetle. Investigating costs and benefits of chemical control There is considerable scope to enhance English broom infestation (foreground on biological control efforts on broom, as the river bank) along the upper Mitta Mitta Research is under way to trial the there are a number of potential new River on 17 April 2005 controlled with effectiveness and cost-efficiency of agents currently under investigation non-selective herbicide glyphosate during various herbicides at reducing English by other countries. Landcare Research early February 2005 (Photo: Cathy Allan). broom cover, and evaluating what New Zealand is currently selecting plant species regenerate after weed new agents and has five species under Since the January 2003 bushfires, removal. Three herbicides are being consideration. English broom has regenerated in trialled at label rates, on three repli- dense thickets on sites where there was cated sites. Treated sites are monitored The chrysomelid beetle Gonioctena an established seed bank, and in many at regular intervals and the data on olivacea is a foliage feeder which can sites soil cores have demonstrated the effectiveness of the controls and be very damaging, especially to broom that this seed bank was severely on regeneration of broom and other seedlings, while the larvae of the moth depleted during the fires. Two seasons plants are analysed to determine the assimilella feed mostly on of chemical control have reduced most effective treatments. The best mature plants. The eriophyid mite English broom cover effectively and techniques for particular situations are Aceria genistae causes stem galls and minimised flowering and seed set then put into practice more widely. should be particularly efficient in in priority areas, and the upcoming This ‘adaptive experimental manage- shady and forest infestations. The spring and summer will be our last big ment’ program will provide useful cecidomiid flyAsphondylia sarothamni opportunity to remove regenerating ...continues page 9. English broom before the population flowers heavily and the seed bank is replenished. Biological control agents are being re-released into the park and neighbouring land in an effort to rebuild vital populations of broom natural enemies after many were destroyed by the fires. Parks Victoria (PV) and DSE have Ernie Cole (DSE), Mike Dower (PV) and Ted Cocoons and adult of the broom twig- established a 3-year program to man- Stabb (DSE) discussing the pros and cons mining moth Leucoptera spartifoliella, one of various herbicides to control English age pests in the Alps. The program of the biological control agents affected in broom, Alpine National Park, 23 May 2005 the Great Alpine Bushfires (Photo: Nicole is funded through the Weeds and (Photo: Kevin Cosgriff). Freeman). Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 

Impact of weeds on tree regeneration in riparian areas Dr Fiona Ede, DPI Frankston

he vegetation communities found inT riparian zones (the land adjacent to rivers and waterways) often contain a high diversity of species, which may be related to the frequent disturbance that occurs in these systems due to floods. However, many riparian areas are particularly prone to weed invasion, so this species diversity often includes both natives and exotics. It is widely believed that in many Tree seedlings planted in blue periwinkle ecosystems, weeds limit the regenera- A blackwood seedling being planted in a tion of various native species. However, infestations grew taller than in blackberry 120 cm clearing amongst blackberry near infestations (Photo: Fiona Ede). very little work has been done to study Narracan in West Gippsland. Seedlings the interaction between weeds and planted in smaller clearings were less likely regeneration in Australia, and no one to survive and gained less height (Photo: vival and growth have been monitored Fiona Ede). has previously studied this relation- regularly. ship in riparian areas. So the CRC sites, with Acacia seedlings being found The results presented here relate to data for Australian Weed Management is at more sites and in greater numbers collected in March 2005, five months funding a three year research project at than Eucalyptus seedlings. after trial establishment: DPI Frankston to study how weeds in • no manna gum seedlings survived in riparian areas impact on the regenera- A number of correlations were found the uncleared plots of either black- tion of key riparian tree species (see between vegetation cover and the berry or blue periwinkle; Under Control likelihood of finding tree seedlings. No. 24, June 2003, p.9). • overall survival of manna gum Seedlings were more likely to be found In the first phase of this project, an seedlings was lower than that of at sites with high levels of bare ground extensive field survey was undertaken blackwood seedlings; (areas without litter or vegetation across Victoria in spring 2003. At 36 cover), high cover of exotic herbs, • plot size had a significant impact on riparian sites, assessments were made and high total number of taxa, but seedling survival for both tree spe- of vegetation cover, tree seedlings less likely to be found at sites with cies, with seedlings having greater numbers and size, and the size of high cover of native ferns or native survival in the 120 cm plots; older trees. Blackberry was the most grasses. There was no relationship • plot size did not affect the height ubiquitous exotic species found in the between the amount of blackberry at a of the manna gum, whereas black- survey, being present in 33 of the 36 site and the likelihood of finding tree woods were taller in the 120 cm plots sites. Tree seedlings were present at 25 seedlings. These results indicate that compared with the 0 cm plots; Continued from page 8. the conditions that favour colonisation • both manna gum and blackwood of riparian areas by a diverse range seedlings were taller in the blue attacks buds while the agromyzid of species and by exotic herbs, are periwinkle plots than in the black- Hexomyza sarothamni attacks twigs, the same conditions that favour tree berry plots. both causing the formation of regeneration. galls. At this stage of the project it can be The importance of bare ground in concluded that bare ground provides The mite has already been approved the process of seedling establishment important microsites for the establish- for release in Australia and could has been further studied in a field ment of tree seedlings in riparian areas, become available through a partner- experiment set up in spring 2004. Sites but that these same bare areas can also ship with Landcare Research, should which had a solid canopy of either be colonised by other species, both na- it be imported and released in New blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.) or tive and exotic. For the two key riparian Zealand. The other agents are also blue periwinkle (Vinca major) were tree species studied, weed competition likely to be specific to broom, but selected. At each site a number of plots impacts on the survival and growth additional testing is needed, especially of various sizes (0 cm, 40 cm, 80 cm, 120 of small seedlings, with blackwood on native plants in the same family. cm) were cleared in the weed canopy, seedlings better able to withstand Costs associated with host-specificity with all the above-ground vegetation competition from blue periwinkle and tests can be high when agents have and litter cleared from the plots, as well blackberry than manna gum seedlings. only one generation per annum, and as the underground stems of the blue One possible interpretation is that the best option to reduce the costs is periwinkle. Acacia seedlings can successfully cooperation between research organi- establish in small gaps within a dense sations. However in the blackberry plots, the crowns were not removed. Small weed cover whilst Eucalyptus seedling To find out more about this multi-agency seedlings of either Acacia melanoxylon establishment may require larger program, please contact Cathy Allan (blackwood) or Eucalyptus viminalis gaps in the weed cover produced by ([email protected]) or Mike Dower (manna gum) were planted into the infrequent events such as major floods ([email protected]) at Omeo, ph centre of each plot, and seedling sur- or fires. 03 5159 0600. Page 10 No. 30 June 2005 Under Control

Implementation of the VPMF Fox Management Strategy Michael Rosier, Policy Officer, Pest Plants and Animals, DSE

he European red fox (Vulpes • empower the community to be self vulpesT ) is an adaptable and elusive sufficient and willing to imple- predator and scavenger. Despite ment integrated fox management various management efforts the fox programs beyond the timeframe of is now common throughout Victoria the program. and most of southern mainland The achievements to date include: Australia. Foxes present a major • 22,552 contacts with land manag- threat to biodiversity assets, with ers, including 1,530 visits to ‘Predation by the European Red Fox’ properties to provide individual listed as a key threatening process advice on fox control; under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee • Act 1988. Foxes also represent a 225 presentations on fox control to key threat to agricultural assets, a total of 4,034 people, encouraging particularly lambs. Fox management them to improve their fox control; is a community issue, as effective • 2,893 bait consignments totalling management of foxes directly benefits 215,313 baits issued from 58 set the whole community. locations and 512 mobile sales points; The Victorian Pest Management • Framework (VPMF) Fox Management 285 articles and interviews on Strategy (FMS) was developed to radio, television and in the print provide strategic direction for the 6. Effective targeting of incentives for media; management of foxes in Victoria until fox management programs. • completion of a survey of 500 2007. The Victorian Government’s 7. Effective monitoring, evaluation landholders regarding the project; role includes the provision of an and reporting. • a decreased impact of foxes on the appropriate legislative and policy sheep industries; framework. The Government will To demonstrate how the FMS is being • improved coordination of fox primarily contribute to fox manage- implemented, some examples of control on public and private land; ment in situations where the action current projects are outlined below. results in public benefit and will Enhanced Fox Management • increased awareness and capacity provide funding in accordance with Program of land managers to manage fox agreed shared investment guidelines. impact; Over a three-year period the • Fox management is principally the Enhanced Fox Management Program improved media profile of the responsibility of all land and water- aims to reduce the impact of foxes impact of foxes, and way managers. on Victoria’s prime lamb and wool • presentations of two papers on The main goal of the FMS is to industries. It is focused on encourag- the project at the Australasian minimise the impact of foxes on envi- ing land managers to participate in Vertebrate Pests Conference in ronmental, economic and community large broad-scale fox programs on New Zealand (see elsewhere in this values through the implementation of private land and on ensuring that issue). a strategic approach to fox manage- ongoing research improves our ability “ The main attributes of a baiting program ment. to scientifically measure changes to are that it does reduce fox impact and increase fox abundance. lambing percentages in our valuable sheep It is vital that this approach is flock. It is an around-the-clock effective and supported by the community and The objectives are to: • achieve a reduction in the impact efficient means of controlling foxes. Unlike contributes to the protection of bio- spotlighting and hunting, baiting works all diversity and production outcomes of foxes in priority areas by reduc- ing fox populations to a target of day every day, rain or shine and is far less at regional and statewide levels. labour intensive for the benefits gained.” The FMS aims to achieve this goal 35% of pre-baiting numbers over greater than 4% of Victoria. - Robert Close, “Kurra Wirra” Merino through the implementation of seven Stud Farmer. key strategies: • increase community awareness, knowledge, understanding and 1. Improving the process of setting adoption of best practice fox priorities and decision making in management. fox management. • develop and implement a research 2. Implementing strategic fox man- and development method for agement programs. monitoring best practice fox 3. Building partnerships to ensure management. effective statewide and regional • evaluate the efficiency and ef- coordination. fectiveness of implementing a 4. Best practice fox management. coordinated baiting program to 5. Targeted research for best practice protect priority agricultural areas Areas of clear soft sand along roads and fox management. in Victoria. tracks are used to monitor fox traffic. Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 11

Adaptive Experimental The objectives are to: Management of Foxes • assist in the recovery of native This project is trialing different fox wildlife including mammals, birds management techniques to determine and reptiles; the best way to manage foxes for • improve ecological processes in biodiversity protection in Victoria’s ecosystems such as pollination, parks and reserves. seed dispersal and dispersal of The objectives are to: beneficial fungal species; • assess the effects of different • assist farmers through a reduction combinations of baiting intensity in fox predation on lambs and and timing on the density of foxes Fox with eastern barred bandicoot prey. other livestock, and Foxes are implicated in the decline of such and on the responses of selected medium sized mammals. • reduce the spread of weeds and prey species; diseases carried by foxes. • assess the costs of each strategy The objectives are to: A detailed monitoring and evaluation and ultimately compare the costs • determine the relative vulnerability program has been set up to determine and benefits of the different strate- of fauna species to fox predation; the outcomes of Southern Ark, gies; • determine the distribution of however it will be a number of years • assess the effectiveness of these species within the parks and before clear results are available. The the Adaptive Experimental reserves network; smaller “Project Deliverance”, upon Management approach for pest • determine a scale of priority for fox which Southern Ark is based, has management at a landscape scale. control based on the presence of achieved the following: • Achievements to date include: highly vulnerable fauna species; an effective reduction in fox numbers in the area; • improved understanding of the • determine the overlap and gaps relative effectiveness of sea- between locations identified as a • a dramatic increase in long-nosed sonal/periodic vs on-going baiting high priority for fox control and potoroo numbers, and programs; those where fox control is currently • demonstrated effectiveness of • demonstration of the applicability undertaken, and large scale baiting to control fox of the Adaptive Experimental • reprioritise and implement fox numbers. Management approach to pest control programs at locations of management at a landscape scale; high priority. • improved communication between Achievements of the program to date staff involved in fox control at include: different locations; • identification of a number of parks • increased awareness of the resourc- where fox control has not been es required to deliver integrated, undertaken previously, where a landscape-scale fox control and number of highly vulnerable fauna monitoring, and species are at high risk of preda- • new species records for some parks tion, and including southern brown bandi- • implementation of control pro- coot, long-nosed potoroo and long- Long-nosed potoroo, one of the species grams at these locations. benefiting from fox control work in East footed potoroo at Coopracambra “Since this assessment was made we’ve Gippsland. Underground truffle-like fungi, National Park and the little pygmy commenced fox programs at Lake Tyers Forest symbiotic on trees and shrubs, are a major possum at Little Desert National Park and the adjacent Ewings Marsh Wildlife part of its diet. The potoroo helps to disperse the fungal spores. Park. Reserve and Red Bluff Nature Conservation “We can do baiting all over the park, but Reserve. This not only protects a number of unless we do specific monitoring to look at the significant fauna species vulnerable to fox “People who have camped here for many impacts of fox predation and the effectiveness predation such as the Long-nosed Potoroo, years and only see the odd possum are now of control programs, we’ll never know what but also reduces direct competition for starting to see long-nosed bandicoots foraging we need to protect and what we are achieving. resources with native predators like the spot- around the camp ground. Our campers love A great aspect of this project is we are now tail quoll and the large forest owls.” - Peter seeing wildlife when they come down here and monitoring prey species and fox distribution Kambouris, Environmental Planner, Parks it stands to reason that as the native mammals to assess the effectiveness of our fox control.” Victoria. recover and increase in number, more will - Andrew Dennis, Ranger, Grampians Southern Ark – Improving East be seen around the camp ground.” - Josh National Park. Gippsland’s Biodiversity Puglisi, Manager, Cape Conran cabins Prioritising Parks Victoria’s Fox and camp ground. The Southern Ark program began Control Programs Further information on the VPMF is avail- in 2003, following a successful trial This project involves an analysis of able at www.dse.vic.gov.au (under ‘Plants program “Project Deliverance”. It and Animals/Pest Plants and Animals’) the relative risk of fox predation on aims to recover and restore the native native fauna at parks and reserves or by calling the Customer Service Centre wildlife of East Gippsland by creating on 136 186. across the state in order to prioritise extensive tracks of habitat (1 million resource allocation and fox manage- hectares) in which populations of ment activity for biodiversity protec- foxes are substantially reduced. tion. Page 12 No. 30 June 2005 Under Control

Why the fox bounty didn’t work Ian Faithfull, DPI Frankston

From July 2002 the Victorian that would normally not survive any areas that are cleared. Government paid a bounty of $10 during the period of a single breed- on each fox tail deposited at govern- ing cycle. To understand this better, Evaluation of the bounty trial ment depots by Victorian residents a basic knowledge of fox biology is The evaluation of the Bounty Trial or property owners. $1.5 m was essential. was undertaken by scientific staff made available for the Victorian Fox of the Vertebrate Pest Research Bounty Trial, which was based on Fox biology Department of DPI. The intensity of the recognition that it was necessary Populations of the European red fox collection across different regions to reduce the severe impact foxes fox (Vulpes vulpes) are subject to was determined by assessment of have on native animals and on high turnover. Food supply and the location information provided by livestock production. Foxes have had the availability of refuge are major bounty participants when fox tails a dramatic impact on medium-sized limiting factors, with mange and were presented. Bounty payments native mammals, probably directly distemper being the main diseases did not take into account how the fox contributing to the extinction of many causing mortality. A high proportion actually died, and some payments species in Victoria. Agricultural im- of foxes die each year from disease, were certainly made on road kills and pacts have been poorly studied, but starvation and exposure. Virtually all other animals not killed by shooting, the most easily assessable significant habitat suitable for foxes in Victoria and on fox tails obtained before economic damage is almost certainly is saturated, being fully occupied by the commencement of the bounty the loss of 10-30% of newborn lambs breeding groups. Home ranges are program. in some areas. The Trial was initially occupied by a pair, or an adult male Based on the intrinsic rate of increase for six months, at the time of year plus several mainly non-breeding when significant lamb predation oc- of the fox population, the evaluation vixens, and range in size from 400 to found that a widespread annual pop- curs, but was extended until August 1600 ha. Pairs are believed to be mo- 2003 due to its popularity. ulation reduction greater than 65% nogamous, and breeding occurs once would be required across the State Surely the killing of so many vermin a year, usually in winter. In southern before populations could be expected animals is a good thing and there Australia females come into oestrus to decline in some areas. But reduc- must have been many benefits? But for a few days mostly from late June tions in fox abundance greater than 1 what proportion of the foxes killed to early August. Average litter size fox per sq km occurred in only 13% of would have died or been killed is about four cubs, but variable from the State (see figure). Fox collection anyway? Was the bounty the best place to place. Young first emerge was no higher in sheep production option? These, and other questions from the den in late spring. Dispersal areas than other agricultural areas, so were addressed in a scientific evalu- occurs in autumn when the cubs are the Trial failed to provide a targeted ation of the Bounty Trial which used 7-9 months old. The average dispersal approach to reducing fox impact on data gathered up to week 44 of the distance is less than 20-30 km. Both this vulnerable industry. Reductions Trial, at which time the bounty had sexes become sexually mature about in abundance approaching the level been paid on approximately 110,000 10 months after birth. required to have a lasting effect upon fox tails. What the government In Victoria the lowest fox densities populations (>65%), if the cull was to needed to determine was whether the occur in arid areas (<1 per square be sustained, occurred in less than 4% money spent on the Trial was effec- kilometre) and the highest in cities of Victoria. At best, the trial probably tive in reducing fox impacts. Based (up to 16 per sq km). Density of achieved only a temporary, insig- on the findings of the evaluation, animals in March is generally 1.5-2 nificant reduction in fox numbers in the Government determined that the per sq km, but is much higher in those limited areas where more than bounty would be better replaced with summer and autumn, after breeding, 2 foxes per square kilometre were large-scale, coordinated, community- with the average density in south killed. This may have achieved the based baiting programs. This has eastern Australia estimated to be aim of reduced lamb predation is come to be known as the ‘Fox on the 4-7 per sq km. In one study, 50-80% some very localised areas. Run’ program. of foxes shot in spring and summer Previous studies have shown that as Since the cessation of the Bounty were juveniles. In another study, 54% older resident foxes are removed, the Trail, there have been repeated calls of those shot from April to August mean age of foxes in the area declines from some sectors of the rural com- were less than 1 year old, while 71% as young dispersing animals move to munity for the bounty scheme to were less than 2 years old. Very few occupy the vacant habitats created. be reinstated. Would this be a good foxes live longer than four years. Areas of less than 10,000 hectares are thing? Bounty systems have been Fox populations are thus highly rapidly recolonised. Analysis of data used for a number of pest species resilient. If there was no other form of from an intensive control campaign both in Australia and overseas and mortality, well over half the popula- of spotlight shooting and day hunts have generally proved to be inef- tion would have to be killed each with fox hounds on Phillip Island fectual in reducing pest impacts in year to prevent population growth. (1994-99) shows that no more than the long term. Deliberate culling of But an effective control program must 50% of the fox population was taken fox numbers will only make a differ- seek to reduce the population below each year and that the population ence to the overall population if the the level at which replacement occurs, actually increased, despite being number culled exceeds the number as well as prevent recolonisation of closed to invasion from the mainland. Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 13

scientifically evaluated. A clear need remains to develop techniques to more accurately measure fox abun- dance, and thus to better evaluate the success of control campaigns. Governments across Australia nevertheless continue to invest in research into better control methods, more effective baiting strategies and new forms of control.

References Newsome, A.E. & Coman, B.J. (1989) Canidae. In Walton, D.W. & Richardson, B.J., Fauna of Australia Vol. 1B Mammalia. pp. 993-1005. Canberra, AGPS. Fairbridge, D. & Marks, C. (2003) Evaluation of the 2002/03 Victorian Fox Bounty Trial. Victorian Institute of Animal Science, Department of Primary Industries, 31 pp., ISBN 174106 646 8 Hassall & Associates P/L (1998) Economic Distribution of control measures as measured by the average collection of fox bounty Evaluation of the Role of Bounties in Vertebrate payments per square km in each 100 sq km grid. Significant impact on populations Pest Management. Prepared for the Bureau of occurred in only a small proportion of the State. Resource Sciences. Whitehouse, S.J. (1976) Bounty schemes in The bounty may also have had coun- lent to that which would normally vermin control. Journal of Agriculture Western terproductive effects. The moderate not survive. Indeed a much larger Australia 17, 35-89. reduction in abundance may have proportion of the population than increased the health of surviving was removed as a result of the bounty animals and stimulated increased could be harvested annually without reproduction by disrupting stable so- resulting in a sustained reduction of cial groups containing non-breeding the fox population. It is estimated Customer vixens. Any vacant territories created that less than 20% of Victoria’s fox would in most cases have been rap- population was removed during the Service Centre idly occupied by dispersing young. bounty. The evaluation found that Reduced environmental pressure sustained annual reduction of 65% Phone: 136 186 would have freed up resources for would be a required goal to achieve survivors, improving their chances of real declines in the population. At The Customer Service Centre gives rearing a healthy litter. this level of control, re-population of free advice and information on a areas cleared of foxes would at least Bounty schemes create an income range of issues about agriculture, be restricted. source for hunters and may act to resources, conservation and land discourage more effective forms of Coordinated baiting management. The Customer control, or actually limit control, in Service Centre will also put you in As a response to the evaluation, the order to maintain that income. They touch with experts when you need Victorian Government therefore de- can also merely subsidise previously specialist information and advice. cided to replace the Bounty Trial with existing control activity. Fraud, e.g. The Customer Service Centre is a investment in coordinated commu- the presentation of ‘out of area’ ani- convenient way for you to get in nity baiting campaigns over extensive mals, is also a common problem. As touch with the Department and is areas, with supplemental control by shooting was the primary method for open between Monday to Friday other measures. These have a more collecting foxes during the Trial, older 8am-8pm, Eastern Standard Time. readily realisable potential to reduce experienced animals were the least the core breeding population below Just one easy phone number likely to be killed, although they are replacement level. Baiting needs to provides you with access to all the ones most likely to be maintaining occur several times per year and the information and services DPI successful breeding territories. There den fumigation and shooting are the has to offer. You can ring us from was evidence of all these problems main emphasis of follow-up control anywhere across the State and in the Victorian scheme. Widespread activity. In the Flinders Ranges, South only be charged the cost of a local fraud was also a problem with Australia, such a campaign over six call. (Excluding mobile and public previous Victorian bounty schemes years has resulted in 100-fold reduc- telephones which incur additional (on foxes, discontinued 1982, and tion in fox density, to less 0.1 fox costs). wild dogs 1992), which also failed to sightings per 100 sq km over 6 years. Phone: 136 186 within Australia. reduce damage or have noticeable Other studies within Australia have +61 3 5332 5000 outside Australia impact on local pest populations. consistently shown population reduc- (charged at international call The Bounty Trial acted more like a tions of over 65% for well planned costs). You can also email your sustainable harvest than a large-area coordinated baiting programs. As query to [email protected]. control technique. It ended up remov- with the Fox Bounty Trial, the current gov.au ing a part of the population equiva- Victorian baiting programs are being Page 14 No. 30 June 2005 Under Control

R.I.P. Paterson’s curse? 10 years of biocontrol in Victoria Kerry Roberts, Victorian Coordinator, Biological Control of Paterson’s Curse, DPI Frankston

he national Paterson’s curse biological There are now many sites in Victoria controlT program is set to finish on 30 where multiple releases have been made of September, after more than a decade of different agents, in line with the initial aim rearing and releasing biological control of the project, which was to establish all agents. However the Paterson’s curse agents across the range of Paterson’s curse. biocontrol story is one of great success, Redistribution of agents from established with significant progress in the establish- sites by community groups and individu- ment of agents and their integration into als has certainly assisted in spreading them weed management plans. throughout the State. Numerous field days for collection of the crown weevil have The research program originally began in helped to make it the most widespread of 1972 with a number of potential agents the agents. The other species will continue being identified. After many years of The Paterson’s curse taproot flea beetle: to be redistributed in future years by testing and research, six agents were given effective agent in areas with high intensity grazing. (Photo: Tom Morley) Landcare and community groups that have approval for release in Australia. been trained to collect and release them. The current DPI project is part of a After working on biological control of National program involving collaborators Paterson’s curse for 10 years now, it is very from NSW, ACT, SA, and WA. Over the sad to see the project come to an end. I am past 10 years focus has been placed on confident however that the agents will releasing four of the approved agents continue to spread and have an impact throughout Australia. In total, over 500 on the weed, and that redistribution will releases of these agents have been made continue in years to come. I would like to across Victoria (see table). Many of these thank everyone I have had the pleasure have only been possible through the of working with on the program, includ- dedication and commitment of many The root and crown weevils. The crown ing Catchment Management Officers, landholders and Landcare groups who weevil (right) is now very widespread and Landcare Facilitators and of course the have contributed their valuable time and highly effective. (Photo: Tom Morley) hundreds of farmers I have met, who have effort at redistribution collection days. In welcomed me onto their properties and fact, over the past 10 years, 56 different surviving well in areas with medium to many of whom have become good friends. Landcare groups have been involved in the high intensity grazing where the crown program. weevil has trouble establishing. I also gratefully acknowledge the sup- port and funding for this project from, All four agents are now established and Unfortunately the root weevil (Mogulones DSE, Meat and Livestock Australia and spreading in Victoria. The crown weevil geographicus) has not established as well Australian Wool Innovation Ltd. (Mogulones larvatus) is doing exception- as the other agents and is only known Total releases of four Paterson’s curse biological ally well in many areas and is having a to be established at one site in north east control agents in Victoria 1993-2005 substantial impact on the size and density Victoria. Many other releases have been Agent Releases of Paterson’s curse. It is known to have made and it is hoped that the root weevil Crown weevil 309 spread up to 15 km from release points in is surviving at these sites. Victoria over a ten-year period, and up to Root weevil 27 30km in NSW. The last agent to be introduced was the Taproot flea beetle 118 pollen beetle (Meligethes planiusculus) in Pollen beetle 80 The flea beetle (Longitarsus echii) is also 1998. This beetle is very flighty in warm 534 widely established and has spread up weather and has spread up to 17 km from to 4 km from release points so far, and is several sites. Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 15

Biocontrol of blackberry - release of new rust strains Robin Adair, PIRVic Frankston

he blackberry rust fungus The fungus dispersed naturally to In 2004, releases of the new strains PhragmidiumT violaceum has an in- Tasmania, then appeared in New were made in New South Wales teresting history in Australia where Zealand in 1990. In 1991, a more and Western Australia by CSIRO we have utilised it as a classical highly damaging strain of the rust, Entomology, and at three sites biological control agent for invasive known as F15, which had been in Victoria by DPI researchers. A European blackberry species (Rubus selected in Europe in the early 1980s Natural Heritage Trust grant has fruticosus aggregate). The fungus for potential Australian release, was aided a research program in Victoria causes defoliation over summer, and legally imported and released on aimed at establishing the eight new on susceptible blackberry species the blackberry infestations in south-east- strains at multiple localities, and cane and crown growth is weakened ern and south-western Australia. determining the net impact on our and the canopy is thinned out, often main blackberry species, Rubus enabling the return of more desirable DNA studies anglocandicans and R. leucostachys. plant species such as pasture grasses Genetic studies by the Weeds CRC or native trees. have enabled a better understanding New releases of what has happened to these two Forthcoming releases of the eight new The fungus is readily recognised rust strains. DNA fingerprinting strains will be targeting blackberry in the field by characteristic pur- technology using restriction fragment infestations known to be immune, ple-brown blotches, 2 to 3 mm in length polymorphism (RFLP) has resistant or with low susceptibility diameter on the upper leaf surface, found that the F15 strain appears to the old rust strains. In particular, with corresponding orange-yellow to be absent from south-eastern infestations of R. cissburiensis and re- (summer) or black (winter) powdery Australia, but can be detected in rust sistant biotypes of R. leucostachys will pustules of spores on the leaf under- populations in Western Australia. In be priority targets over the 2005-2006 side. Victoria it appears that the deliber- season. Landholders with infestations The fungus was first detected in ately introduced strain was unable of these particular blackberries and Australia in the Strzelecki Ranges in to effectively compete with the those with infestations believed to 1984 following what is thought to earlier, less damaging introduction. be resistant to blackberry rust are have been an unauthorised introduc- Furthermore, but not surprisingly, the encouraged to contact DPI- Frankston tion. Within a year it had spread populations of rust in Australia have (Dr Robin Adair or Franz Mahr, tel- throughout Victoria. been found to be substantially less di- ephone 03 9785 0111). For those who verse than those recorded in Europe. wish to develop blackberry identifica- This result has been confirmed by the tion skills, the recently released CD use of SAMPL (selective amplification ROM Blackberry - an identification tool of microsatellite polymorphic loci) to introduced native Rubus in Australia marker techniques developed by Don is highly recommended (see p. 19 and Gomez (University of Adelaide) and the order form in this issue) . Kathy Evans (Tasmanian Institute of It is uncertain at this stage whether Agricultural Research). the new rust strains have established Blackberry rust causes leaves to curl up New strains in Victoria, but the application of SAMPL fingerprinting technology and drop (Photos: Franz Mahr, Robin Adair]. The narrow genetic base of blackber- will enable their status to be moni- ry rust in Australia, combined with tored over the next few years. Under the knowledge that at least several the Victorian Government’s Weeds species and forms of blackberry are on Public Land Initiative, public either resistant or have low suscepti- land managers will participate in bility to rust infections, prompted a the redistribution of the new strains. search for new strains of rust suitable DPI will assist Parks Victoria and for release in Australia. In a program Forests Victoria regional officers led by CSIRO Entomology, new to locate potential release sites. strains were trapped on Australian Areas with a high potential for rust blackberry clones grown in ex- establishment and those experiencing perimental gardens at Montpellier blackberry management difficulties in southern France. Eight of these at the interface of public and private were selected as particularly virulent land will be selected first. Blackberry and were approved for release in infestations that have been subject to Australia in 2004. The new rust fire, either bushfires or fuel reduction strains then underwent a ‘bulking-up’ or ecological burns in the autumn process in which spores were mass- of 2005, are likely to make highly suit- produced under tightly controlled able release sites. Further information laboratory conditions, with each on this program can be obtained by strain maintained separately. contacting DPI Frankston. Page 16 No. 30 June 2005 Under Control

13th Star burr Hamilton Australasian imported in landholder Vertebrate Pests peanut straw fined for not Conference Rick Lawson, Catchment controlling Proceedings Management Officer, DPI Maffra rabbits http://www.landcareresearch. Star burr or goat’s head co.nz/news/conferences/vertebrate- Acanthospermum hispidum, a noxious n late May, a Bulart district land- pest/VPC_FULLPROGRAMME2.pdf weed in the Northern Territory and holderI was convicted and fined $750 prohibited from entry to Western The Museum of New Zealand (Te with $1214 costs and ordered to pay a Australia, has been found in the further $9262 compensation to DPI in Papa), Wellington, New Zealand, Maffra area of Gippsland. It was 2-6 May 2005, Hosted by Maanaki the Hamilton Magistrates court. The accidentally brought into Victoria landowner was found guilty of failing Whenua Landcare Research New in a load of peanut straw from Zealand Ltd, 332 pp. to comply with a Land Management Queensland in March 2004. A small Notice (LMN) issued for the control number of plants have appeared of rabbits. Compensation was during summer and autumn this granted to DPI for undertaking the he Australasian Vertebrate year on one property where the straw PestT Conference is sponsored by rabbit control works on the property, was used. More of this fodder was after repeated, failed attempts to have the Vertebrate Pest Committee purchased by other landholders and (VPC) under its parent body, the the landholder complete the required it is feared that the plant might gain a level of works. Australia/New Zealand Natural foothold in Victoria for the first time. Resources Management Ministerial DPI Pest Animal Project Officer, Council. The 2005 Conference is the Star burr is an erect annual herb in John Matthews, said the 129 hectare 13th in the series and the first in New the daisy family that usually grows property came to the attention of Zealand. Previous conferences have to a height of 15 to 45 cm. Its fruit the department as part of a much been held in Perth (1957), Hobart consists of 5 to10 spiny seeds forming larger targeted extension and control (1960), Canberra (1964), Melbourne a star-like burr. The plant is gener- program dating back several years. (1968), Canberra (1973), Canberra ally considered to be a subtropical The landholder had numerous op- (1978), Dubbo (1983), Coolangatta and tropical weed and is a common portunities to complete the required (1987), Adelaide (1991), Hobart contaminant of fodder in northern works and to access funds to assist (1995),Bunbury (1998) and Melbourne Australia where it is a serious prob- with the costs. (2001). This volume is a pre-confer- lem in crops, including maize and ence compilation of working papers, sorghum, and in pastures. The burrs The extension and compliance not peer-reviewed but lightly edited. contaminate wool and injure live- program was initiated in 2000/01 and The Proceedings are only available stock. Star burr is widely distributed is sequentially working its way across online (4.5MB pdf). There are no in the region around Kingaroy in rabbit priority areas as identified printed copies left. It is replete with south east Queensland, where a large in the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment interesting information on current proportion of Australia’s peanut crop Management Rabbit Action Plan policy, research and management is produced. Preliminary indications (RAP). The aim of the program programs. Numerous papers were are that the Gippsland plains are is to assist landholders through presented on the following topics, climatically suitable for the plant to cooperative actions to achieve long many by staff of DPI and DSE: establish. term rabbit control across large areas of the priority areas identified in • Policy, planning, strategies and Fodder is the likely source of large the RAP. During the initial phase, community programmes numbers of new weed infestations. extension staff inspected properties, A list of landholders who received • Pest fish mapping rabbit infestations and the peanut hay is being compiled for • Monitoring and detecting pests further action. Farmers importing ...continues page 19. • Pest control tools feed stocks from outside their areas • Eradication and border control are warned to be on the lookout for new weeds and take immediate • Animal welfare action to eradicate any that appear. • Bird pests Reference • Diseases in vertebrate pests • Parsons, W.T. & Cuthbertson, E.G. (2001) Ecology of vertebrate pests Noxious Weeds of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

Star burr in the Maffra area (Photo: Rick Lawson). Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 17

Hudson pear a prickly pest spreading from the opal fields

nother species of , Hudson pearA Cylindropuntia rosea, is escaping into the outback. Forty-three cactus species are known to be naturalised in Australia, 14 in Victoria. Some of them are already significant pests and some, like Hudson pear, have the potential to become major pests. Australia has no native cacti: all those growing here originally came from the Americas. Hudson pear, from Arizona and , is spreading out from the opal fields of northern New South Wales where it covers about a hun- dred square kilometres, as well as from infestations in Western Australia and Queensland. It has particularly vicious spines, capable of penetrating boots and vehicle tyres. The plant was probably deliberately introduced to the opal fields by miners to pro- Hudson pear provided an excellent defence for opal mines but is now out of control tect their diggings from nocturnal (Photo: John Hosking, DPI NSW). prowlers and thieves. “It’s better to be of no use. “There’s a long-term wear soft shoes and tread very, very, in Australia, including tiger pear, need for good basic science, here in carefully,” says Dr John Hosking, an aurantiaca, and harrisia, Australia, especially : the entomologist with the Cooperative Harrisia martini, as well as the famous precise identification of our plants Research Centre for Australian Weed prickly pear, Opuntia stricta. “Cacti and animals,” says Dr Hosking. “It’s Management and NSW Department are one of several groups of plants important that our research dollar is of Primary Industries. “Boots give which have been successfully control- spent where it will have a long lasting you a false sense of security!” led by biological agents,” says Dr Hosking. “Without biological control beneficial effect,” he says. Like cacti in general, Hudson pear they would still be serious pests.” plants will grow from any segment that contacts the ground. Even when Dr Hosking emphasises that a Cacti naturalised in research priority needs to be the the segments are dead, the spines Victoria remain a threat to stock and wild identification and control of ‘new’ animals. Although Hudson pear weeds of all sorts, including cacti. “Long established weeds are prob- forms no seeds, its segments are Austrocylidropuntia cylindrica, Cane readily spread by floodwaters. ably beyond eradication, and now need careful management. Newly Cactus Like many plant invaders in introduced pests, if detected early Cylindropuntia imbricata, Devil’s Rope Australia, its range could expand as enough, can be eradicated before they Cylidropuntia tunicata, Chain-link a result of climate change. Predicted become established. And it is more Cactus weather patterns include more severe economical, as well as being bio- Opuntia aurantiaca, Tiger Pear storms, more floods, and a general logically more feasible, to maintain drying of the south of the continent, weed-free areas than to attempt to Opuntia cardiosperma, Riverina Pear so Hudson pear could spread over eradicate invaders”. Opuntia eleatior, Red-flower Prickly- large areas unless an effective method pear is found to limit its spread. However a major concern for Australian weed managers is lack Opuntia engelmannii, Texas Prickly- Dr Hosking says that, in the long of detailed knowledge of invading pear term, biological control will be the species. “It’s critically important that Opuntia ficus-indica, Indian Fig only way for Australia to get a grip we know the identity of invading Opuntia leucotricha, Semaphore Cactus on this spiny threat. “There’s a good species so that introduced biocontrol Opuntia monacantha, Drooping precedent. Cactoblastis and the agents are matched to the exact Prickly-pear (Noxious) cochineal insects are great biocontrol species of invader,” says Dr Hosking. success stories, with effective control “Introduced pests need to be care- Opuntia puberula, Blind Prickly-pear of disastrous prickly pear infestations fully identified, which often means Opuntia robusta, Wheel Cactus being a matter of history. However calling on overseas expertise. This (Noxious) we’re still looking for an insect which can cost time and money but in the Opuntia schickendantzii, Lion’s Tongue really damages Hudson pear.” long term saves money as time is Opuntia stricta, Common Prickly-pear not spent testing the host range of Insects have been used to control potential biocontrol agents that will several species of introduced cactus ...continues page 18. Page 18 No. 30 June 2005 Under Control

Continued from page 17.

Further information: Dr John Hosking, Weeds CRC and NSW Department of Primary Industries, Phone: 02 6763 1129 Source: CRC for Australian Weed Management media release 4 March 2005.

Hudson pear has dark pink flowers and long white spines (Photo: John Hosking, DPI NSW).

Blackberry - an identification tool to introduced and native Rubus in Australia Robyn and Bill Barker, State Herbarium of South Australia, Department for Environment & Heritage and Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management, Adelaide, CD ROM, 2005.

identification tool to introduced and na- The 10 minute tutorial in the use tive Rubus in Australia is an interactive of the keys is easy to follow and CD ROM enabling the identification the keys are simple to use. One of all species of Rubus presently determines character states for stems, known to occur in Australia. The CD leaves, flowers, fruit etc., each time contains an introduction, a tutorial adding that character state to a list. and two identification keys, one to As the list grows, an automatically all native and naturalised Rubus generated group of potential species species in Australia and one to the decreases, until enough character species of blackberry (the R. fruticosus states have been chosen to reduce the aggregate). A ‘fact sheet’ is provided list to a single species. Users have the for each Rubus species as well as links option to view an explanation and to further information and images on illustration of each of the characters the web. The CD also contains a list of and there are some sophisticated The term “blackberry” in Australia all Rubus species names, background features that enable similarities and is usually used in reference to a information on Rubus classification, differences of short-listed species number of closely related introduced information about the use of rusts to be examined and resolved. You European species of Rubus, which as biocontrol agents in Australia, a can use whatever characters your are significant weeds of agriculture, glossary, and details of how to collect specimens exhibit: a species may be forestry and natural ecosystems in blackberry specimens in order to identifiable even if flowers and fruit southern and eastern Australia. These obtain an accurate identification. are lacking, a marked advantage over are the species of the Rubus fruticosus written keys. Generally however, A manual, based on a series of aggregate and they are recognised as specimens of leafy primocanes (first training sessions in the southern a Weed of National Significance. The year canes), floricanes (second year Australian States in also included. species are difficult to distinguish growth) and flowers are needed, from each other and they react The CD was developed in collabora- along with a 10x hand lens. differently to control methods such tion with Kathy Evans (formerly The fact sheets provides distribution as herbicides and rusts. There are with the Weeds CRC), supported information including a map gener- other species of Rubus in Australia, by a National Heritage Trust Weeds ated live from Australia’s Virtual some of them native, and some of National Significance grant. It is Herbarium, a short list of distinctive introduced from America and Asia. based on the species recognised by characters of the plant, plus a detailed These overlap in distribution with David Symon in collaboration with systematic description of it, syno- weedy blackberry and responsible overseas experts and a forthcom- nyms and other names used for the management requires firstly that we ing taxonomic revision by Evans, taxon, notes on where the species fits know what species we are planning Symon, M.A. Whalen, J.A. Oliver, J.R. in the Rubus complex, notes on DNA, to eradicate and, if it is a weed, how Hosking and R.M. Barker. best to go about it. Blackberry - an diverse illustrations of the plant, Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 19 and links to additional illustrations Continued from page 20. and other information on the web. A further few clicks opens a full list of illustrations that may include histori- cal botanical illustrations, close-ups of particular plant parts, either in the field or herbarium specimens, infesta- tions etc. The taxonomy and names used supersede those used by Jeanes and Jobson in the Flora of Victoria and by Bruzzese and Lane in The Blackberry Management Handbook (1996). Different botanical names are now applied to a number of Victoria’s Leaves of the widespread most common blackberry species. form of bridal creeper (left) and the newly discovered The CD will not only inspire you to Western Cape form (Photo: Sarah Holland Clift). look more closely at the blackberry in your area, but readily enable you The widespread form of bridal more slowly than the common form. to identify collected material. Highly creeper was introduced into Australia A more detailed description of the recommended. in 1857 for use in bridal bouquets two forms can be found in Edwards ISBN 0 7590 0086 7. $66 + $9 postage and and hanging baskets. It has become and Kleinjan (1999). handling. Mail orders to Blackberry ID an environmental menace through- Reference out native bushland in southern tool, Centre for Biological Information Edwards, P.B. and Kleinjan, C. (1999) A reap- Technology, Level 6, Hartley-Teakle Australia, where it smothers native praisal of the identification and distribution of Building, University of Queensland, 4072. vegetation and prevents other plants Asparagus asparagoides in southern Africa. South http://www.cbit.uq.edu.au/software/ from growing. We do not know when African Journal of Botany 65, 23-31. blackberry the Western Cape bridal creeper was introduced to Australia or how extensively distributed it is. Continued from page 16. Your help is needed! National providing advice to landholders. In order to employ an effective Both DPI and the Glenelg Hopkins Asparagus control program, it is important to Catchment Management Authority know where the Western Cape form have invested heavily on private land Weeds Workshop exists and how widespread it has in the Hamilton region, working with become. If you see anything that Plant Research Centre Auditorium , landholders towards the protection matches the description below, please Waite Campus, Adelaide and enhancement of vegetation, dig up a sample of tubers and foliage 10-11 November 2005 biodiversity and waterways projects. and send the sample, a GPS location DPI Pest Animal Sub-Project or detailed map showing where you he workshop will bring together Manager, Jason Riethmuller said that found it, plus your contact details scientistsT and land managers tar- in this particular case, the inactivity to John Matthews, DPI Hamilton, geting bridal creeper and other of the landholder jeopardised the suc- Private Bag 105, Mt Napier Rd, Asparagus weeds. Recent advances cess of a much larger control program Hamilton 3300, ph. 03 5573 0731, in biocontrol, herbicides, ecology, where the majority of the community [email protected]. impacts, taxonomy, detection and had already completed the required regional management will be works or were in the final phase of a What to look for? presented. Workshop sessions will three year, pre-negotiated property At a superficial glance, the Western enable interactions between scientists management plan. Without action, Cape bridal creeper looks like a much and managers to determine future these programs would definitely have larger form of bridal creeper. It has research directions and define current suffered from reinvasion from the larger, rounder, waxy leaves and a best practice management. The field untreated land. flat, wiry stem. Its tubers are much trip will show biocontrol, eradication larger than the common form (up to Enforcement measures are utilised and containment activities within 4.5 cm long) and are arranged like a when necessary to support coop- the Adelaide region. The workshop rosette around the rhizome, which erative community programs and brochure can be downloaded from: grows vertically into the soil. In the to ensure the continued success of common form, the tubers are smaller http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/ rabbit control programs. The majority and grouped along a central rhizome, bridalcreeper/ of landholders do take their rabbit forming a dense horizontal mat. control responsibilities seriously More information is available Similar to the common form, Western and enforcement is only used after from Dennis Gannaway, National Cape bridal creeper produces pea- exhausting all other methods of Bridal Creeper Management sized green berries in spring that later negotiation. Penalties for failing to Coordinator, ph. (08) 8303 9748, ripen to red. Its growth habit is also comply with a LMN were increased mob. 0428 100 951, email gannaway. similar, although it appears to grow last year, from $1,000 to $24,000. [email protected] Under Control Pest Plant and Animal Management News

Under Control No. 30 June 2005 Page 20 Calling all weed spotters… ‘giant’ bridal creeper on the loose! Sarah Holland Clift, DPI Frankston

eed spotters around Victoria are being called into It was found to differ significantly (by 6% or 32 base pairs) actionW in the search for ‘giant’ bridal creeper, a larger than from the widespread and common form of bridal creeper normal variety of the plant that has recently been found in present in southern Australia. In Australia, this new form Australia for the first time. will be referred to by the common name of Western Cape bridal creeper. The giant form was discovered near Nelson in south- western Victoria and at Donovan and Port McDonnell Of major concern is this form’s apparent resistance to in south-eastern South Australia in August 2004. The the rust fungus (Puccinia myrsiphyllum). The rust fungus infestations were large and well established, indicating is proving to be a highly successful biological control that the form has likely spread to many other areas within agent against the common variety. Field observations the region. The discovery was made in South Australia by indicated that there was considerably less rust damage Kathryn Batchelor and Peter Turner (CSIRO Entomology) on the Western Cape bridal creeper compared to the more and in Victoria by Sarah Holland Clift (DPI Frankston), common variety. Research is being conducted by CSIRO Dave Bone and Dave Ryan (Parks Victoria). Teams were and DPI over this growing season to verify this, but if busy with routine releases of bridal creeper biological true, then there is a real threat of the new form potentially control agents at the time. re-infesting areas cleared of the common bridal creeper. Samples sent to Louise Morin of CSIRO Canberra identi- fied the new form as the south-western Cape form of bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), native to the South Western Cape Province of South Africa. The plant was identified using ITS (internal transcribed spacer) sequenc- ing, a new method of studying the DNA in the cell nucleus to determine the evolutionary relationships of plants.

IN THIS ISSUE

Weeds at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 2005 1 Reader survey 2 National Biosecurity Centre 2 Crackdown on the sale of illegal weeds in Victoria- Penny Gillespie 4 Mexican feather grass spotted in Melbourne garden 5 Community Landcare Facilitator Program – Brian Thompson 5 Water industry concern over sagittaria 6 Tubers of the common form (above) and the Western Cape form Sagittaria targeted for natural suppression – Jean Louis Sagliocco 6 (below) (Photos: Megan McCarthy). Mobile compliance team 7 All hands on deck for English broom control in the Alps – Kathy Allen 8 & Jean Louis Sagliocco Impact of weeds on tree regeneration in riparian areas – Fiona Ede 9 Implementation of the VPMF Fox Management Strategy – Michael 10 Rosier Why the fox bounty didn’t work – Ian Faithfull 12 R.I.P. Paterson’s curse? – 10 years of biocontrol in Victoria – Kerry 14 Roberts Biocontrol of blackberry - release of new rust strains - Robin Adair 15 13th Australasian Vertebrate Pests Conference Proceedings 16 Star burr imported in peanut straw – Rick Lawson 16 Hamilton landowner fined for not controlling rabbits 16 Hudson pear – prickly pest spreading from opal fields 17 Blackberry CD – an identification tool for introduced and native 18 Rubus in Australia National Asparagus Weeds Workshop 19 ‘Giant’ bridal creeper on the loose! – Sarah Holland Clift 20 ...continues page 19.