U n d e r C o n t r o l Pest Plant and Animal Management News

No.11 December 1999 Keith Turnbull Research Institute

Under Control - Pest Plant and Animal Management News is the quarterly publication of the Keith Turnbull Research Institute, Agriculture Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria, Australia, distributed free of charge to Landcare and Friends groups, local government, NRE catchment management and extension officers and pest management researchers throughout Victoria. The Department of Natural Resources Readers should feel free to circulate and pass on Under Control. Permission is readily and Environment is a granted for articles to be reproduced freely in other publications if the author and supporting participant source are acknowledged. Please contact the Editor and send us a copy (thank you!). in the Cooperative Research Centre for Weed Management Systems CONTENTS

Its here and its hungry. Psyllid to help sweep broom from the high country - Kate McArthur 1 Impact of St John’s wort mite - Franz Mahr 2 Orobanche: parasitic weed threat to pulses, oilseeds and vegetables 3 Integrated management of bitou: impact of the bitou seed fly and other biocontrol agents 4 Ragwort plume moth approved for release - David McLaren 5 Biocontrol of thistles project update - Brad Roberts 5 Scotch thistle target for biological control 6 Staff Profile: Patrick Piggott, Program Leader, Weeds of Natural Ecosystems 7 Control of St John’s wort by grazing sheep - Chris Bourke and Ian Southwell 8 Environmentally Aware Contractors - Bruce Dupe 9 Distribution and impact of American stipoid grasses Part 5. Espartillos, Achnatherum species - David 10 McLaren, Val Stasjic & Mark Gardener Reports and Queries - Azolla; Nematodes for slug control; Rust on castor oil plant; lucerne suppresses 12 weeds Weed Watch Warning - Finger leaf oxalis Oxalis glabra 13 Y2K-proof PMIS 14 New publications 14 Weed Patch - Internet sites of interest 18 KTRI services 19 KTRI contacts 19

If you wish to have your name added to the mailing list for Under Control or to make further enquiries please contact: Keith Turnbull Research Institute, PO Box 48, Frankston, Vic, 3199, Australia, Phone (03) 9785 0111, Fax (03) 9785 2007 Email [email protected]

Disclaimer The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the chemical products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind, or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Copyright © State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment 1999 Under Cont r o l

Pest Plant and Animal Management News

Number 11Keith Turnbull Research Institute December 1999

ISSN 1328-2425

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Landcare Research New ItsIts here here Zealand Ltd. adult andand its its hungry hungry Landcare Research New PsyllidPsyllid to to help help sweep sweep out out Zealand Ltd. EnglishEnglish broom broom from from the the high high country country

The broom psyllid, a tiny beneficial insect, is the latest reaching 2 mm in length, is host specific and poses negligible biological control agent in the fight to control English broom in risk to other plant species. Both adult and juvenile psyllids feed Victoria. The psyllid was released for the first time in Victoria on the buds and other actively growing parts of broom by in- in November at KTRI in Frankston. Further releases will soon serting their mouth parts, sucking sap and damaging cells. Their be made in the Australian Alps and elsewhere in Victoria. The saliva is probably toxic to local tissue. Broom bushes with high psyllid is expected to contribute to the reduction in vigour and populations of the psyllid are usually stunted with little shoot seeding capacity of English broom, a serious environmental growth. Adult psyllids are very mobile and emigration occurs weed with major infestations in the Central Highlands, the readily even at low population levels. Once populations are Dandenong Ranges and the Alpine National Park. established in the field, new bushes should be colonised quickly. English broom, Cytisus scoparius, is an evergreen shrub of In collaboration with park rangers, KTRI will release the broom European origin. It was deliberately introduced into Australia psyllid in the Alpine National Park (Victoria), Snowy Moun- around 1800 as an ornamental plant. With a broad dispersal tains in New South Wales and Namadgi National Park in the range, and the ability to adapt to and naturalise in many veg- ACT. The release of the psyllid at multiple sites across the etation types, English broom has become an aggressive in- whole alpine biogeographical region is a unique example of vader of a broad range of ecosystems. It is a declared noxious cross-border cooperation in broom management, made possi- weed in all south-eastern states of Australia. Since its intro- ble by the support of the Australian Alps Liaison Committee, duction to Australia, broom has naturalised in over 200,000 Parks Victoria and NRE. hectares of the natural environment and in many areas is still For more information please contact: spreading. In Victoria alone, broom is common in 150,000 ha Kate McArthur and is predicted to have the potential to infest around 6.1 mil- lion ha if left unchecked. Phone: (03) 9785 0136 Broom characteristically forms chokingly dense understorey The program for the release of English broom biological control agents in Victoria and the Australian Alps National Parks is funded by NRE’s infestations that restrict natural regeneration, resulting in a loss Parks Flora and Fauna Division and Pest Plants and Animals Pro- of biodiversity and natural heritage values. Several species of gram, Parks Victoria and the Australian Alps Liaison Committee. Bio- rare and endangered flora, and significant vegetation and fauna logical control of English broom is a national program of the CRC for communities in the High Country are under direct threat from Weed Management Systems of which NRE is a Participating Con- the broom invasion. tributor. Landcare Notes on English broom, the broom psyllid and other broom biocontrol agents are available on the NRE web site. The broom psyllid, Arytainilla spartiophila, a small insect Page 2 Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Impact of St John’s wort mite It’s not the size that counts, but what it does

The St John’s wort mite Aculus hyperici, is the last of an arsenal of biocontrol agents intro- duced into Australia against St John’s wort over the past 70 years. With over 300 releases since 1991, this tiny mite is now well established throughout most of the weed’s range in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Figure 1. Effect of Aculus hyperici on plant density A reduction in height and density of St John’s wort at Site B at Mt Alexander. infestations became noticeable within only a few When the mite was years of establishment of the mite. Such effects exlcuded, the plant of biological control can easily be overlooked by density (number of plants land managers with St John’s wort problems. Even per plot) increased. if they are noticed, it is easy to forget how differ- ent the weed used to be. The pronounced effects initially noticed prompted an intensive study to quantify the impact of this biological control agent at a total of five sites across south-eastern Aus- tralia. Some exciting findings have been collected over the past three years at two of these sites. The two sites are situated 1.5 kms apart on Mt Alexander, near Castlemaine in central Victoria. Figure 2. Effect of They have different microclimates, with site B Aculus hyperici on receiving a higher dewfall than site A. The St plant condition at John’s wort mite is well established at Mt Alex- site B at Mt ander, hence the trial must exclude mites from Alexander. When the half of the 40 plots so that comparisons can be mite was excluded, the condition of the made between mite-effected plants and plants plants improved from which mites have been excluded. The mite- (lower ratings excluded plots were sprayed fortnighly with a indicate healthier acacaricide while the mite-effected plots were plants). sprayed with water, to act as a control. The following information was recorded at each site: plant position, plant height, number of seed capsules, presence of other biological control agents (eg. St John’s wort leaf beetles, by 65% in the plots from which the mite was the plant, St John’s wort becomes vulnerable to Chrysolina spp.), growth stage and plant condi- excluded (Figure 1). other pressures such as weather extremes tion. Plant condition was gauged on a rating scale (drought or frost) and competition with other of 1-3, based on the following criteria: Plant Condition plants that often result in death. 1 = healthy fleshy leaves, minimal mite symptoms From May 1997 to November 1998, the acari- present, large healthy flowers. cide-sprayed St John’s wort improved in vigour Franz Mahr 2 = partially dwarfed plant, groups of stunted by 45% at site A and 18% at site B (Figure 2), Ph. (03) 9785 0111 leaves, some flowers deformed. but the mite-effected plants at both sites have 3 = heavily dwarfed plant, majority of leaves remained in poor condition, exhibiting character- Reference stunted, small deformed flowers. istics giving a score between 2 and 3 on the ‘plant condition’ scale (Site A: 2.15, Site B: 2.14). Mahr, F.A., Mayo, G., Ainsworth, N. and Jupp, Plant Density P. (1999) Monitoring the impact of the biological control agent Aculus hyperici on Hypericum At site A, the density of St John’s wort plants The exclusion experiments demonstrate that perforatum across south eastern Australia. 12th increased in both the mite-excluded and mite-ef- Aculus hyperici, one of the smallest of the ar- Australian Weeds Conference Papers and Pro- fected plots. However, the increase in plant den- thropod biological control agents, has dramati- ceedings, pp. 335-337. sity in the mite-effected plots (12% increase) was cally decreased the density and vigour of the St significantly lower than in the plots from which John’s wort populations at Mount Alexander and Monitoring of the St John’s wort mite is funded by the mite was excluded (58% increase). The den- indicate that it has the potential to do this, or is the CRC for Weed Managment Systems, the Catch- sity of St John’s wort plants at site B decreased actually doing it, across much of south-eastern ment Management and Sustainable Agriculture Divi- by 29% in the mite-effected plots and increased Australia. By reducing the density and vigour of sion of NRE and Parks Victoria. Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Page 3 Orobanche: parasitic weed threat to pulses, oilseeds and vegetables

The broomrapes, Orobanche species, are parasitic plants that attack the roots of crops including pulses, pasture legumes, oilseeds and a wide range of vegetables. Orobanche are highly advanced plants with no green parts and can only survive by parasitising a host. Of the numerous broomrapes worldwide, five are particularly weedy and cause heavy damage in Europe, Asia and America. These are Egyptian broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca), nodding broomrape (O. cernua var. cernua), crenate broomrape (O. crenata), sunflower broomrape (O. cumana) and branched broomrape (O. ramosa). Major crops will be seriously af- fected if these weeds become established. Branched broomrape has been recorded in South Australia and has been the subject of an on-go- ing eradication campaign. Field surveys of 80,000 Branched broomrape has pale mauve ha in the Murray Bridge area in October and flowers and yellowish stems November detected 1,150 ha of new infestations, with 41 properties now affected. 77% of infested Branched broomrape on root of canola plant. Broomrape seeds are small, like dust, and last paddocks are pastures, 5% canola, 2% stubble, Grid on ruler 5 mm. for many years in the soil. A single Orobanche 7% inside crop and 7% crop margins (cereals plant can produce up to 500,000 seeds, with dor- and can only establish if they contact a suitable and potatoes). Emergency containment measures mancy of 10 years or more being common. Once host. Depending on the species of broomrape, have been put in place. Movement of horticul- they have flowered, broomrapes will produce seed potential hosts include: beans, broadbeans, tural produce, grain and livestock from the quar- even after they have been pulled out. Seed can broccoli, cabbages, cannabis/fibre hemp, canola, antine area has been restricted. Decontamina- be dispersed by wind and water (including in irri- capsicums, carrots, cauliflowers, celery, tion measures for livestock (viable seed could be gation water/sprinklers), and in animal manure, chickpeas, chrysanthemums, clovers, cucumbers, carried in the intestine for up to 30 days) and contaminated soil, produce, machinery, livestock eggplant, lentils, lettuce, melons, peas, potatoes, equipment are in operation and an eradication pro- or clothing. gram is under way. An unknown species of sunflowers, tobacco, tomatoes and vetch. Many Orobanche has also been found on a property in common weed species can also be parasitised. Control Tasmania, attacking carrots. Non-host crops may also carry seeds because The only way to control pest broomrapes is soil Orobanche is also able to attack weeds. So far fumigation, which kills everything. Methyl bro- Two other Orobanche species occur in Australia. there is no record of Orobanche in grain fields, mide is the most effective, but fumigation may Australian broomrape, O. cernua var. even on weeds. be ineffective in heavy clay soils. Some herbi- australiana, is a rare native species in Victoria, cides kill pest broomrapes but Orobanche is pre- Biology and effects never recorded as attacking crops. It parasitises dicted to develop herbicide resistance. Some Broomrapes attach to the roots of host plant via only native Asteraceae such as Senecio species. crops have been bred with Orobanche resist- a specially adapted root system and deprive their Clover, common or lesser broomrape, O. minor, ance but the parasite has been able to overcome hosts of nutrients and water. The relationship with is scattered widely across Victoria, is present in this. The only viable option for severe infesta- the host varies from a benign partner to causing southwest Western Australia and other parts of tions may be to switch to non-host plants such as significant yield loss or death. This depends on south eastern Australia, and is parasitic on a range cotton, cereals, orchard crops or vines. of garden and pasture plants and weeds includ- various factors including the species of ing capeweed, clover, flatweed, creeping boobialla Orobanche, host susceptibility, degree of para- What you can do nasturtiums and petunias. sitisation, and time of sowing. Affected canola Look for pest broomrapes in your crops. Dig up All Orobanche species are prohibited imports to plants may not flower at all so there is nil yield. Orobanche plants to determine which plant is Australia but the seeds could easily enter the O. crenata and O. aegyptiaca may prevent the the host, put them in a paper bag (not plastic) to country undetected. If these parasites become development of seeds in a high proportion of prevent the spread of their tiny seeds. Mark the established, even in small areas, Australian ex- chickpeas, reducing yield by 50% and significantly site in some way so it can be found easily later. port markets could be affected as many of our reducing the quality of seed produced. Even if Report any crops affected by Orobanche to the trading partners prohibit all Orobanche spp. Any yield is not greatly affected, produce may not be nearest NRE office and provide the plant sam- Orobanche found attacking crops should be re- saleable. Parasitised celery and cabbage, for ple for identification. Leave the broomrape at- ported immediately! Don’t be complacent. example, are discoloured with large yellow tached to the host if possible – this will aid in blotches. Carrots cannot even be used for identification. Hosts processing, and are fit only for stock fodder be- Broomrape seeds are triggered to germinate by cause all the sugars have been stripped by the the presence of roots of certain plant species; parasite. Information courtesy of Animal and Plant Control Commission, South Australia. Page 4 Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Integrated management of bitou: impact of the bitou seed fly and other biocontrol agents

sects and other arthropods, three fungi and a The seed fly, Mescolanis polana, was first mycoplasma. A control strategy was researched released to attack bitou bush, Chrysanthemoides with goals of reducing seed production by more monilifera rotundata, at two sites in coastal than 95% and suppressing biomass accumula- northern New South Wales in August 1996. Es- tion by incorporating a range of these organisms tablishment and spread of the fly was extremely that attack different parts of the plant, are active rapid. Data now indicate that it has spread during different seasons, etc. into an integrated throughout the whole range of bito and is having management system. Seven biological control a major impact on the weed. agents have been released in Australia, with three Mesoclanis seed fly specifically targeted at bitou: the bitou tip moth Originally 67 flies were released at Iluka Bluff (Comostolopsis germana), the bitou tortoise and 57 flies at Dunbogan. The fly prospered im- Only in few cases do biological control agents beetle (Cassida sp.) and the bitou seed fly. mediately. Collections of green fruit containing have a significant and permanent impact. More larvae and pupae were made at the original re- often there is a reduction in density and spread lease sites and redistributed to six sites in 1997 of the pest, sometimes only in a particular habi- The tip moth has been released at over 70 and a further three sites in 1998. By May 1998 tat or climatic zone. To obtain the desired level sites and it is now almost impossible to go any- the fly had extended its distribution to Tathra on of weed control other management techniques where on the NSW coast and not find this agent the south coast and by October to Rainbow Beach must continue to be used, but less intensively or on bitou. The populations fluctuate markedly de- in Queensland, and had occupied virtually the frequently, and their use may need to be re-ori- pending on site conditions but the tip moth is entire range of the weed including small, isolated entated to take advantage of the biological con- always there. Its impact is being assessed using pockets, having crossed large areas where there trol. Integrated management strategies for bitou an insecticide exclusion technique in which was no bitou (see map). that combine appropriately timed use of herbi- unsprayed, tip moth-infested bitou is compared The bitou seed fly lays its eggs on flower buds cides and fire with biocontrol and re-seeding with with sprayed bitou. The moth, which feeds in and the larvae feed within the flower heads and competitive native species are being researched the young growing tips of the plant, has signifi- destroy developing seeds. Development from egg and field tested. If the bitou seed fly continues cantly reduced flower and seed production in to adult takes about 35 days under glasshouse its success, these programs will become more some areas. The tortoise beetle, which eats the conditions and adults can live for up to 4 months. cost-effective and the damaging effects of the older leaves, was targetted at bitou in northern The short life cycle of the insect, the almost con- weed will decrease. NSW and has established at some release sites, tinual flowering of the weed, and the very large, The program to introduce natural enemies of but populations are low and dispersal has been ‘untapped’ resource of bitou flowers enabled big boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera slow. Additional organisms are being evaluated populations of flies to build up quickly and begin monilifera) and bitou bush actually commenced for possible future release, including the highly to impact heavily on seed production. in 1987. It has taken more than ten years to ob- destructive defoliating leaf roller moth ‘Tortrix’ tain these results. In South Africa, C. monilifera sp., the leaf buckle mite Aceria neseri and the A range of studies are in progress to monitor the rust fungus Aecidium osteospermi. effects. Samples of bitou fruits and buds from was found to be attacked by 113 species of in- monitoring sites are sent to KTRI for processing, the buds preserved in vinegar and the fruit in bags. The fruit are kept in the insectary until all flies have emerged and the buds are examined micro- scopically to detect eggs. Generating the data is a time-consuming and exacting business with 400 or so buds and up to 2000 or more fruit per sam- ple.

The early data shows that destruction of ovules in bitou flowers reached levels of over 40% at the three monitoring sites during the initial M. polana population explosion. M. polana eggs were present on up to 80% of buds. It is not clear whether such levels of attack and destruction will be maintained or whether there will be marked fluctuations. There are peaks and troughs in the level of activity and it is difficult to study these properly unless samples are taken more frequently. Possibly these peaks of ovule destruction may not be seen again. It may be that bud oviposition fluctuates extremely depending on season, weather conditions or other factors. Neverthe- less, the data indicate a large effect. Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Page 5

Work on Mesoclanis is part of the CRC for Weed Management Systems boneseed/bitou project. Ragwort The fly was studied in its natural range in South Africa by Penelope Edwards of CSIRO Divi- sion of Entomology and collaborators. Importa- plume moth tion to Australia and host specificity testing were undertaken by Robin Adair and Aline Bruzzese approved at KTRI. Royce Holtkamp and associates of NSW Agriculture have redistributed the agent from initial release sites and monitored dispersal. for release Bibliography Key scientific papers in the bitou A new biological control agent for ragwort Bitou bush, has passed all tests for safety and has been biological control program Chrysanthemoides approved for release by the Australian Quarantine Adair, R.J. and Edwards, P.B. (1996) An attack strat- and Inspection Service and Environment egy against Chrysanthemoides monilifera, a monilifera rotundata Australia. Ragwort, Senecio jacobaeae, is a weed of native vegetation in Australia. Pp. 429- poisonous yellow daisy which infests pastures, 434 In V.C. Moran and J.H. Hoffman (Eds.), Pro- marginal land and natural areas in the wetter parts ceedings of the IX International Symposium on of southern Victoria. The ragwort plume moth, Biological Control of Weeds, Stellenbosch, South Bitou bush is an invasive environmental weed Africa. Platyptilia isodactyla, is native to Spain. Young Adair R.J. and Holtkamp, R.H. (1999) Development of which occupies enormous areas along the larvae burrow into the leaf petioles and tunnel a pesticide exclusion technique for assessing the coastline of New South Wales and southern down to the crown and root where they feed and impact of biological control agents for Queensland. It is a sprawling shrub, 2 to 3 m develop. Damage caused by older larvae is usually Chrysanthemoides monilifera. Biocontrol Sci- high, which produces abundant seeds. Dense sufficient to kill plants. ence & Technology 9(3):383-390. infestations gradually eliminate native Adair, R.J. and Scott, J.K. (1989) The life-history and understorey species and reduce the regeneration The moth has been tested for host specificity by host specificity of Comostolopsis germana Prout abilities of native trees and shrubs. Several Dr David McLaren at KTRI. Testing was con- (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), a biological control coastal plant communities and a number of ducted on a total of 80 plant species, including agent of Chrysanthemoides monilifera crop, ornamental and native plants. Minor feed- (Compositae). Bulletin of Entomological Re- species are threatened with either depletion or extinction by the invasion of bitou. ing occurred on three native Senecio species search. 79, 649-657. closely related to ragwort. Larval starvation tri- Ainsworth, N. and Holtkamp, R. (1999) Integrating als were undertaken to prove that the plume moth herbicide use with biological control of bitou In its area of origin bitou occurs in coastal veg- could not survive on these species. Arrangements bush. Pp. 275-278 in in A.C.Bishop, M.Boersma etation extending from southern South Africa to and C.D.Barnes (Eds.) 12th Australian Weeds for the mass-rearing of P. isodactyla and releases southern Mozambique. It was apparently intro- Conference Papers and Proceedings. Devonport, in the field have not yet been made. Tasmanian Weed Society. duced to Australia in ships’ ballast and was spread Edwards, P.B. (1998) Seasonal abundance and para- along the coast of New South Wales by deliber- Several other biological control agents have al- sitism of Mesoclanis seed flies (Diptera: ate planting to stabilise coastal sands and in beach ready been released and established on ragwort Tephritidae) in South Africa, and implications for mining revegetation programs. 60-90% of NSW but have yet to adequately control the weed in the biological control of Chrysanthemoides sand beaches are infested and it is now the domi- Victoria. See Under Control No. 7, p.3 for fur- monilifera (Asteraceae) in Australia. Bulletin of nant species along 20% of the coast. ther details about the ragwort plume moth. Entomological Research 88, 407-414. Edwards, P.B. and Brown, E.M. (1997) Mesoclanis seed Bitou bush flowers during most months of the flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Chrysanthemoides in South Africa: distribution, attack strategy and year. The seeds accumulate on the soil surface David McLaren impact on seed production. Bulletin of Entomo- and within the litter layer, and because of their Phone: (03) 9785 0111 logical Research. 87, 127-135. relatively large size only a small proportion be- Edwards, P.B., Holtkamp, R.H. and Adair, R.J. (1999) come buried, although this is more likely on Establishment and rapid spread of the bitou seed coastal sands. Bitou has a persistent soil seed fly, Mesoclanis polana Munro (Diptera: bank of up to 9,500 seeds per square metre. Tephritidae) in eastern Australia. Australian Jour- nal of Entomology 38, 148-150. Holtkamp, R.H. (1993) Parasitoids of Comostolopsis germana Prout (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). Jour- The Paterson’s Curse Management Handbook nal of the Australian Entomological Society 32, 387-388. The Ragwort Management Handbook Holtkamp, R., Groves, R. and Corey, S. (Eds.) (1997) Bitou bush workshop. Abstracts of a workshop The Blackberry Management Handbook held at NSW National Parks and Wildlife Serv- ice, North Head Conference Centre, Sydney, on Comprehensive information sources for integrated management of key weeds 3-4 September 1997. CRC for Weed Management $10 including postage and handling Systems. Scott, J.K. and Adair, R.J. (1996) Selection of biologi- Special offer - Blackberry Handbook free with every order of cal control agents for Chrysanthemoides The Paterson’s Curse Management Handbook monilifera, a weed of protected areas in Australia. Orders to Princy Kroon, KTRI Pp. 61-67 in Proceedings of the VIII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, 2-7 PO Box 48, Frankston, Vic., 3199. Phone (03) 9785 0111 Fax (03) 9785 2007 February 1992, Canterbury, New Zealand. Cheques payable to Keith Turnbull Research Institute Page 6 Under Control No. 11 December 1999

for releases: Trentham, the Ballarat region and Biocontrol the Kiewa Valley in the north-east. Rhinocyllus conicus, the thistle receptacle wee- vil, will be released on spear thistle in the drier of thistles areas of the state where the gall fly is not as effective, such as Bendigo and Kilmore. The project update number of sites for releases is yet to be deter- mined and will be based on adults recovered from current overwintering stocks.

The variegated thistle strain of the receptacle Spear thistle gall fly, Urophora stylata weevil is no longer being actively released. As- The 1999-2000 release season for biological sessment in October showed that the weevil control of thistles is upon us and plans are in place appears to have survived with very low num- for releases of agents in Victoria. bers at most of the release sites. This may be due to drought conditions experienced in the last Unusually warm weather in October last year three years, but it will be interesting to see if caused the emergence of the gall fly, Urophora numbers increase in future years. stylata, a month earlier than expected. The re- sult was a lower than usual return from the KTRI Releases of all agents commenced in early No- rearing stock, although most field populations sur- vember and will continue into December. This vived well, so releases this year will be reduced season’s releases have all been fully allocated compared with previous season’s levels and will and no more sites are currently required. How- be centred on specific regions in Victoria. ever please contact me if you require further in- formation on thistle biological control or infor- Long-term climate monitoring has shown a strong mation on redistribution of agents from existing correlation between rainfall and temperature pat- sites. terns and success of agents at release sites. Ar- eas with a cooler climate and higher rainfall have Brad Roberts had far stronger results for Urophora establish- Phone: (03) 9785 0110 ment than drier, lower rainfall areas. With this in mind the focus of the releases of the gall fly will The biological control of thistles program is a pro- be in areas with rainfall around 60-80 mm during gram of the CRC for Weed Management Systems, October and November, and an annual rainfall of funded by NRE, Meat and Livestock Australia and Spear thistle, Cirsium vulgare over 650 mm. Three areas have been targeted The Woolmark Company.

of the project explained that “one agent on its is part of a co-operative program involving sci- Scotch thistle own is not usually enough to bring a weed like entists from the Cooperative Research Centre Scotch thistle under control. It requires a suite for Weed Management Systems. The Weeds of agents attacking different parts of the plant at CRC includes nine participating organisations in target different stages of growth to achieve any con- 5 states and territories. trol.” For further information: “Biological control is a long term strategy and Anthony Swirepik Phone: (02) 6246 4252 A new biological weapon was released on one which should be integrated with other weed [email protected] 20 October on Scotch thistle, Onopordum control methods” said Mr Swirepik. “It would Sharon Corey Phone: (02) 6246 4136 acanthium, a serious pasture weed of southeast- be unrealistic to assume that a plant which has [email protected] ern Australia. Researchers from the CRC for been in Australia since the early 1800s could be Weed Management Systems and CSIRO set controlled biologically in only a couple of years.” loose the rosette fly, Botanophila spinosa, which Initially the focus of the Scotch thistle program is the sixth agent to be released on Scotch thistle was in the importation and release of control since 1992. agents, but further support from the meat and “The larvae of the fly do the damage by chewing wool industries and the Weeds CRC has ensured on the growing points of the thistle rosette” that redistribution of agents already in the field is explained Mr Anthony Swirepik of the Weeds a major priority. These agents are monitored to CRC “and will complement the damage being determine their level of establishment and as- done by the other agents”. sess their impact. Scotch thistle forms dense stands in pasture and It will be some years before the establishment smothers desirable vegetation. The biological and impact of this agent can be confirmed. Com- control program, funded by The Woolmark Com- munity involvement with the redistribution of pany and Meat and Livestock Australia, started other agents for Scotch thistle has been extremely in 1987 with the first agent, the seedhead weevil successful and will continue with this latest re- Larinus latus, being released in 1992. lease. Dr David Briese, CSIRO researcher in charge The work on biological control of Scotch thistle Scotch thistle Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Page 7

Staff Profile: plants in WA from specimen records and the Selected Publications and Reports sourcing of images of weeds for FloraBase. 1999. Sagittaria platyphylla (Alismataceae), a new Patrick Pigott During late 1997 - early 1998, Patrick was Project aquatic weed threat in Western Australia. Nuytsia 13. Leader for Biodiversity for the WA Regional In Press (with L.W.Sage and S.G. Lloyd). Program Leader, Forest Agreement at the WA Herbarium. He 1999. Biogeography and predictive modeling of assisted colleague Paul Gioia with mapping of environmental weeds in Western Australia. various flora themes including predicted plant Geodiversity Proceedings of the 1998 IAG Weeds of Natural species richness for the forest areas. This Conference. In Press. required developement of a new approach in GIS, Ecosystems using climatic and other data layers to predict 1998. Small steps save salmon gums. Landscope Summer 1998-1999, 17-20. Department of Conservation species diversity from locality data. and Land Management. Patrick has also been writing up a review on weed threats to populations of WA’s threatened 1998. Status and identification of Goodenia filiformis (Goodeniaceae). Nuytsia 12, 301-302 (with L.W.Sage). flora, the ecology of salmon gum woodland understorey and new and threatened WA plants 1998. Distribution mapping and key ecological at- in the genus Goodenia (with Leigh Sage). tributes of plant species present in the south-west Previously Patrick also worked on the forest region. Final report for the Regional Forest biogeography of bridal creeper, the direct seeding Agreement, Western Australia.(with P.Gioia, of trees on farmland and various environmental R.J.Cranfield and A.R.Chapman) weed extension projects. 1997. Remnant vegetation, priority flora and weed Patrick has established and maintained various invasions at Yilliminning Rock, Narrogin, Western web sites and home pages including the Australia. Proceedings of the Granite Outcrops Symposium, Journal of the Royal Society of Western Environmental Weeds Home Page (http://weeds. Australia, 80, 201-208. (with L.W.Sage) merriweb.com.au/index.html) and Bush Regeneration Links (http://weeds.merriweb. 1997. Garden plants gone wild. Landscope Spring 1997, com.au/lnk-regen.htm). 23-27 (with R.Armstrong).

His main research interests are: 1996. Improved mapping and useability of field data recorded with a GPS; distribution of bridal creeper · Weed threats to threatened flora. (Asparagus asparagoides) in the Wickepin Shire of Patrick Pigott has recently taken up the · Factors affecting the distribution, and Western Australia.Plant Protection Quarterly 11, 57- position of Program Leader, Weeds of Natural management of the environmental weed 58. (with D.J.Lund) Ecosystems, at KTRI after more than 10 years bridal creeper. as a Research Scientist with the Department of 1996. Factors affecting the distribution of bridal · Impact and causes of altered fire regimes creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) in the lower Conservation and Land Management in Western and weed invasion in urban bushland. southwest of Western Australia. Plant Protection Australia. His new role will be focused on Quarterly 11, 54-56 (with P. Farrell). integrated management strategies and impacts · Regeneration of understorey vegetation in on biodiversity of environmental weeds in Victoria degraded salmon gum woodlands. 1995. Fire and human disturbance regimes and impacts and southern Australia. He has a long interest in · Application of Internet and GIS technologies on plant communities at the Star Swamp Bushland the ecology and management of environmental to environmental weed projects. Reserve, pp 19-24. In J.Harris (Ed.) Burning Our Bushland, Proceedings of a conference about fire weeds and more than 13 years research · Factors affecting the establishment of trees experience in vegetation science, bushland and urban bushland, 25-26 August 1995, Urban on farmland using direct seeding techniques. Bushland Council .(with W.A.Loneragan) regeneration and weed science. Patrick was born in British Columbia, Canada of 1994. Direct seeding of trees on farmland in the Patrick is a member of the Ecological Society of Western Australian wheatbelt. CALMScience 1, 131- Irish and Australian parents in 1958, and obtained Australia, the HTML Writers Guild and and the 159. (with P.H.Brown, and M.R. Williams). his B App Sci (Biology) from the Western Environmental Weeds Action Network for Perth, Australian Institute of Technology in 1984 and is married with 3 children and lives in Mt Eliza. his M Sc from the University of Western Australia Patrick Pigott’s Home Page can be viewed at in 1994. His Masters thesis involved studies of http://weeds.merriweb.com.au/jppindex.htm. the impact of anthropogenic disturbance and fire regimes on the vegetation of Star Swamp Landcare Notes - Pest Plant Identification Bushland Reserve. He worked as a technical Assistant with the West Australian Department Chilean needle grass of Agriculture from 1987-89 and as Project Leader and Research Scientist with the CALM Paterson’s curse Science Division of Conservation and Land Ragwort Management Western Australia from 1989. Full colour glossy brochures specifically designed to enable For the past 18 months Patrick has assisted Dr identification of these key weeds Neville Marchant (Director of the Western Australian Herbarium) in developing a Weed 100 copies $25.00 250 for $50.00 1,000 for $150.00 Information Project to support the State’s Prices include postage and handling FloraBase system. This included setting up a Orders to Princy Kroon, KTRI project to verify the naturalised status of alien PO Box 48, Frankston, Vic., 3199. Phone (03) 9785 0111 Fax (03) 9785 2007 Cheques payable to Keith Turnbull Research Institute Page 8 Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Control of St John’s wort by grazing sheep

A grazing management system for the con- trol of St John’s wort, Hypericum perforatum L., on steep, inaccessible, rangeland hill country is currently being investigated at the Orange Ag- ricultural Institute in New South Wales. St John’s wort infested pastures can be poisonous for graz- ing animals so the system is based on grazing the plant when the risk of poisoning is low but the negative effect of grazing on plant growth is high. Evidence suggests that repeated grazing of St John’s wort infested pastures will eventually suppress wort growth and reduce its prevalence. Grazing could offer a cheap and practical solution to wort control. However, ingestion of wort by grazing animals can be detrimental to their health. In particular, the presence of large amounts of hypericin in the weed can result in a severe, sunlight-induced, skin reaction called photosensitisation. Animals with pigmented skin are more resistant. Consequently coloured breeds of goats, black-faced breeds of sheep and coloured breeds of cattle have been traditionally Hypericin production complete recovery of sheep affected by early recommended for grazing wort pastures. A two to threefold greater level of hypericin pro- signs of wort poisoning typically occurred within duction was frequently recorded for the narrow- 12 hours of their movement indoors out of bright But these recommendations have not been leafed biotype compared with the broad-leafed. sunlight. Hypericin is a pigment compound and adopted by livestock producers with large wort Maximum hypericin production occurred in both like any colouring agent or dye its chemical struc- infestations, mainly because white wool Merino biotypes in early summer, with broad-leafed ture can be altered when exposed to particular sheep are the most common livestock enterprise measuring about 2,500 ppm and narrow-leafed wavelengths of light. It seems that hypericin is encountered on the wort infested hills of the Great about 5,000 ppm. The minimum production oc- toxicologically active only in the photoactivated Dividing Range in south-eastern Australia and they curred in late winter with broad-leafed measur- chemical state. have both community acceptance and commercial ing about 50 ppm and narrow-leafed about 100 viability in these regions. Consequently a grazing ppm Wool growth management system using white wool Merino There were significantly more clinical reactors sheep is being investigated. Five growth stages were observed for both amongst recently shorn sheep then amongst biotypes: upright flower spikes from mid Sep- sheep carrying four months or more of wool Development of an effective system has entailed tember to early November, full flowering from growth. In the former group, 45 out of 47 sheep investigations of the differences in hypericin con- mid November to late December, development reacted, and in the latter group only 13 out of 49. tent of St John’s wort biotypes, the seasonal vari- of fruiting capsules from early January to mid Recently shorn sheep have a much greater area ations in hypericin production, the influence of March, prostrate winter stems from late March of skin blood vessels exposed to direct sunlight sunlight exposure, wool cover, and bloodline on to mid June and winter stem static growth phase than do woolly sheep, so they probably have a sheep tolerance to wort, and the determination of from late June to early September. Variations in much greater ability to activate any circulating when wort pastures might be safe for white Me- hypericin production in wort plants appeared to hypericin and make it poisonous. rino sheep to graze. be strongly associated with the development of Wort intolerance Two biotypes of St John’s wort (broad-leaf and the upright growing flower stems. Levels started Wort intolerance was observable clinically within narrow-leaf) were investigated at field sites at to rise rapidly when the new season flower spike 24 to 30 hours of wort ingestion under favour- Orange and Tuena on the Central Tablelands of shoots exceeded a height of 5 to 10 cm and able sunlight conditions. A single day dose of wort NSW every 3 weeks over a two year period. reached a maximum when the plant was in full was observed to exert an adverse response in Sheep were fed air dried, milled wort material flower. some sheep on each of the four days that fol- with known hypericin content. The sheep used in Sunlight activated lowed, provided sunlight remained bright during the dosing trials were adult Merino ewes drawn None of the sheep kept indoors (out of direct that particular period. Affected sheep recovered from 13 different blood lines. Superfine, fine and sunlight) and dosed with wort material at up to overnight only to re-react following another 3 to medium wool types were used. Wort intolerance 5.7 g per kg live weight reacted to the dose, and 5 hours of sunlight exposure on the following day. was determined by monitoring daily rectal tem- none of the treated sheep kept outdoors reacted The daily wort intake tolerance level for Merino perature elevations, together with observations for to similar wort doses on days when there was sheep, carrying four months or more of wool, was early signs of a clinical poisoning response (agi- extensive cloud cover. All of the potentially ad- determined to be approximately, 2.5 g/kg live tation, rubbing of the head and face against fixed verse clinical effects of wort ingestion in sheep weight for broad-leafed biotype material in the objects, mild diarrhoea and mild depression). Once seem to be dependant upon bright light activa- full flowering stage of growth and containing an animal was determined to be showing intoler- tion of the circulating poison, generally regarded approximately 1100 ppm hypericin. This equates ance it was immediately moved indoors and al- as hypericin and related chemical compounds. to about 2.75 mg of hypericin per kg live weight lowed to recover. The protocol used was approved In the absence of bright sunlight exposure, wort per day. For a 45 kg sheep eating wort plant by an animal care and ethics committee. ingestion did not affect sheep in any way. The material only and ingesting about 770 g of dry Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Page 9 matter a day this would equate to a wort pasture Conclusions hypericin tolerance level of 160 ppm during the Based on the findings of this study so far, the most intense sunlight period of the year, from early following approach to grazing management for EAC November to early February. A greater level of the control of St John’s wort is suggested. Firstly, tolerance would be anticipated during periods of use a flock of white wool producing adult Me- Environmen- low sunlight intensity, for example from early May rino sheep from a fine (<20 microns) or super- to early August. fine (<17 microns) bloodline. If using ewes, rather Bloodlines than wethers, make sure they are neither preg- tally Aware nant nor lactating during the wort grazing period. There appeared to be small differences in wort Only use adult sheep (not weaners) and make tolerance between different sheep bloodlines and sure they are carrying a fleece of at least 4 Contractors between individual sheep within a bloodline. Fine months wool growth. Initially graze broad-leafed and superfine bloodline sheep appeared to be wort biotypes from May 1 to October 14 and somewhat more tolerant of wort ingestion than narrow-leafed biotypes from July 1 to Septem- If your organisation undertakes any activities those from medium wool bloodlines, however this ber 14. In subsequent years, as the amount of trend needs to be tested further using a much that involve the movement of vehicles, plant and wort present in the pasture decreases, gradually larger sample size before it can be validated. It equipment, or materials that could assist the increase the period of grazing by both starting at may be the consequence of greater wool staple spread of weeds you should be an Environmen- an earlier date and finishing at a later date. How- density in finer wool sheep reducing the tally Aware Contractor (EAC). EAC will help ever, in spring always make sure that the sheep penetration of sunlight onto the skin surface. The you and your employees protect the environment are moved off the wort pastures before the new wort tolerance variation of individuals suggests and agricultural production from invasive nox- season flower spike shoot growth exceeds 5 to that it is worth considering selection from within ious weeds and pest plants. 10 cm in height, otherwise poisonous levels of a chosen wort grazing flock, against individual hypericin will rapidly develop. Reducing the size sheep that seem to develop a clinical reaction. Many weeds have been spread by accident, lack of paddocks, particularly if this involves the spe- By culling these individuals over successive years of awareness and ignorance. Why should a con- cific fencing off of areas with high wort infesta- a mob of wethers of superior wort tolerance could tractor worry about a few weeds? Contractors tions, will make grazing management more ef- be quickly accumulated. need to be aware that not only should they pre- fective, as will the use of very high stocking rates vent weeds being spread as a result of their work Safe grazing period during the limited wort grazing period proposed. but they can also be fined or even taken to court When do wort pastures become safe? Hypericin This system should exert a significant impact on and sued for damages if they spread weeds. We levels of 160 ppm or less occurred in the broad- wort survival, by repeatedly attacking the plant all have a duty to protect our environment. The leafed biotype pasture between early May and during its relatively sensitive over-wintering law recognises this and there are penalties for mid October in 1997 (a very dry season at Or- growth phase. The system should exert a strong those that do not obey. The community also has ange) and between mid June and mid October in annual suppressive pressure on the spring growth high expectations when it comes to looking after 1998 (a very wet season at Orange). In the nar- of the plant, but at the same time considerably the environment. row-leafed biotype pasture the relevant periods reduce the risk of health and production prob- were between late June and early October in lems in the animals being used to graze it. EAC accredited contractors will be able to help 1997 (very dry at Tuena) and between early Landholders would be well advised to take steps prevent weed spread because they will under- August and early September in 1998 (very wet to ensure that the diminishing wort growth is re- stand the potential consequences of their actions at Tuena). The reduced sunlight intensity during placed by other more appropriate pasture spe- and have a system to help them. The EAC sys- these periods of the year would mean that sheep cies, so that these can then compete with the tem helps organisations and businesses identify could tolerate wort pastures with more than declining wort and prevent its re-establishment. the hazards they face and how to implement ap- 160ppm hypericin. Likewise it would be highly propriate risk management. unlikely that the daily pasture ingestion would only Acknowledgements consist of wort plant material, therefore the over- This investigation was jointly funded by the Co- EAC includes a Code of Practice, vehicle, ma- all hypericin level of the wort component in the operative Research Centre for Weed Manage- chinery, equipment and material hygiene stand- pasture could exceed 160ppm by a factor of 25 ment Systems and NSW Agriculture. ards along with training for staff and employees, to 50% and still not cause any adverse effects in together with an auditable management system. the flock, that is up to 200-240 ppm hypericin. References The EAC system is simple and designed to be This may afford much greater scope for the safe Bourke, C.A. (1997) Effects of Hypericum perforatum implemented at the workplace, not just by man- grazing of the broad-leafed biotype in all winters, (St John’s wort) on animal health and production. agement. Workbooks that provide simple, easy Plant Protection 12(2), 91-2 but it would still only afford limited latitude for to understand procedures have been produced the safe grazing of the narrow-leafed biotype in Bourke, C. and Southwell, I. (1999) Control of Hy- specially for employees in the field. very wet winters (such as 1998). pericum perforatum L. (St John’s wort) by a grazing management system that uses merino sheep. Twelfth If you would like more information about Envi- The reduction of the wort density in the pasture, Australian Weeds Conference Papers and Proceed- ronmentally Aware Contractors please contact following successive years of grazing, will afford ings pp. 4-7 Bruce Dupe, EAC Project Officer by phone on an ever-increasing length in the annual safe graz- Southwell, I.A. and Campbell, M.H. (1991) Hypericin (03) 5267 2104 or Email [email protected] ing period because it will effectively decrease content variation in Hypericum perforatum in Aus- the potential total daily hypericin intake of the tralia. Phytochemistry 30, 475-8. This project was funded by the Victorian State sheep. Likewise, it is envisaged that heavy win- Government “War Against Weeds” Local Government ter grazing of a wort pasture may significantly Innovative Weed Management Scheme through the delay the time of onset of the rapid spring rise in Christopher Bourke Department of Natural Reasources & Environment hypericin production by the plant. This would Ian Southwell and the Surf Coast Shire Victoria. http:// mean that a longer relatively safe spring grazing NSW Agriculture www.geocities.com/bjdenviro/ period might be possible than the present study initially suggests. Page 10 Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Distribution and impact of American stipoid grasses Part 5. Espartillos, Achnatherum species The two species can be distinguished by charac- Several American stipoid grass species with teristics of the flower and seed. The lemma is severe, or potentially severe agricultural and en- hairy over more or less its whole body in A. vironmental impact have been introduced into brachychaetum, sometimes with a bald area on Australia. The stipoid group as a whole (tribe either side of the dorsal nerve (i.e. between the Stipeae of the family Poaceae) is found through mid nerve and the first lateral nerve). The lemma much of the world and consists of approximately in A. caudatum is hairy along the dorsal nerve 450 species in 14 genera. There are six stipoid (midrib) and toward the margins (i.e. between genera in Australia (including the indigenous ge- the outermost lateral nerves on the margin), and nus Austrostipa, formerly classified as Stipa), glabrous from its base to apex between these five of which are have been introduced: lines. The seed of A. brachychaetum has the Achnatherum, Jarava, Nassella, style positioned centrally, while the style of A. Piptochaetium and Piptatherum. 11 exotic spe- caudatum is placed off centre (Parsons and cies are naturalised in Australia. They can easily Cuthbertson 1992, Walsh 1999). The seeds of be overlooked as weeds due to their resemblance the two species are similar in length, but that of to the indigenous stipoids and other native A. caudatum is markedly broader. See Parsons grasses. and Cuthbertson (1992) and Jacobs and Everett To date the worst of the introduced stipoid weeds (1993) for illustrations and full descriptions. are included in Nassella, essentially from South America, which has several species naturalised Broad-kernel espartillo in Australia. Serrated tussock, Nassella Achnatherum caudatum (Trin.) trichotoma, and Chilean needle grass, N. (Synonym: Stipa caudata) neesiana, have recently been classed as weeds Achnatherum caudatum is a densely tufted, leafy, Broad-kernel of national significance (see Under Control No.7 perennial grass with flowering stems 75-100 cm espartillo October 1998 and No. 8, January 1999) and are high but often shorter, indigenous to Chile and showing the serious pasture weeds and major environmental Argentina (Rosengurtt et al. 1970, Caro and normal seeds weeds of grassland and grassy-woodland com- Sanchez 1971). It is unpalatable to stock and pro- (above) and munities. Two Nassella species that have not duces abundant, hard, awnless, nut-like stem seeds yet had a major impact in agricultural or natural cleistogenes at the base of the leaf sheaths. The (arrowed, at left) ecosystems, lobed needle grass, N. charruana, tussocks are spiny at the crown, possibly serving [Photos: John and short spined needle grass, N. megapotamia, to protect the basal sheaths containing the Hosking, NSW were examined in Under Control No.9 (May cleistogenes (McPhee and May 1992). Agriculture]. 1999) and two other lesser known species, cane A. caudatum and A. brachychaetum have been needle grass, N. hyalina, and Texas needle grass, identified as problem weeds in lucerne crops in N. leucotricha were examined in the last issue both Argentina and California (Parsons and of Under Control. Cuthbertson 1992). In Chile and Argentina A. In this issue we look at two species of caudatum inhabits fertile areas and is regarded Achnatherum, the largest and most widespread as having little to no fodder value. Its seeds are lacking a collar of firm tissue or ring of spines or stipoid genus on a world basis. Achnatherum not harmful to stock. It is considered an aggres- bristles around the base of the awn (the fine, occurs in Africa, Eurasia, New Zealand and sive plant on fallow lands of calcareous soils bristle-like appendage extending from the top of America. A. brachychaetum (narrow-kernel (Rosengurrt et al. 1970). the lemma), lacking longer hairs over the apical espartillo) and A. caudatum (broad-kernel The earliest known collection in Australia was 1.5-2 mm and without a prominently pointed ba- espartillo) are the two species naturalised in made in the Cootamundra district of NSW on 5 sal callus; glumes at least 6 mm long; awn less Australia. Like the other introduced stipoids, they November 1959. Broad-kernel espartillo has since than 20 mm long. The native Austrostipa spe- are similar to some native spear grasses and are spread to the Deniliquin area (Parsons and cies have awns that are longer than 20 mm and not easy to identify, so they are likely to become Cuthbertson 1992). In Victoria it was first ob- a lemma with a sharp-pointed basal callus. common in new areas before being recognised. served near Dunnolly on 30 November 1984 and Espartillos The Achnatherum species develop seeds of two has also been collected from Campbells Creek kinds. ‘Normal’, open-pollinated seeds on the near Castlemaine. According to McPhee and The two Achnatherum species in Australian are flowering panicles, and ‘cleistogenes’, modified, May (1992), A. caudatum was first introduced known as espartillos, the diminutive of esparto, self-pollinated stem seeds produced at the base to Clunes in gravel, possibly during the 1970s. meaning a smaller version of the coarse esparto of the flowering stems, covered by leaf sheaths Populations in the Dunnolly-Castlemaine districts grass (Stipa tenacissima L.), native to Spain and at the base of the plant. Austrostipa species pro- are expanding rapidly within pasture and road- north Africa and grown in Spain and Algeria for duce only normal seeds. Unlike the normal seeds, side vegetation (Walsh 1994). It has recently been the production of paper which does not yellow which have a simple germination response, the found invading riparian vegetation along Edgars with age and of rope. The two species can be stem seeds have complex dormancy behaviour. Creek, Coburg. A. caudatum also occurs in Tas- distinguished from all other native and introduced Control methods such as slashing or burning are mania. It was recorded on Flinders Island in 1979 stipoid grasses by the following characters of the rendered ineffective by the well protected and (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992) and on main- flowers: Lemma (the lower and outer husk variably dormant cleistogenes, so the land Tasmania at Bridgewater, and is declared around the seed) at least 4 mm long and at least Achnatherum species have added potential to as a noxious prohibited species. It has yet to be 5 times longer than wide, shorter than glumes infest large areas of drier agricultural land. declared in NSW and Victoria. (the lowermost bracts at the base of the flower), Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Page 11

Broad-kernel espartillo is becoming a serious in- vasive weed of pastures In New South Wales, particularly after cultivation. It invades resown pasture and becomes prominent by the third year. In native pasture it is limited to fence lines and areas of disturbance. Near Clunes in Victoria, A. caudatum poses a serious threat to grazing pro- duction and an unknown threat to cropping and horticulture. It is a poor fodder plant but starving animals will feed on young plants that are still vigorous under heavy grazing pressure (McPhee and May 1992). At Maryborough, cattle were observed to feed on it where few or no other Figure 1. Actual distribution of Achnatherum caudatum (left) and potential distribution (right). pasture species remained (V. Stajsic, E. Bruzzese personal observation). Achnatherum caudatum is reportedly spread by 90 % chance of establishing within this area water, particularly after flooding and by stock 80 % chance 70 % chance along stock routes (J. Cherry personal commu- 60 % chance nication, McPhee and May 1992). It is also spread by slashing, mowing and soil disturbance by machinery along roadsides in the Mary- borough, Talbot and Clunes areas (V. Stajsic per- sonal observation, McPhee and May 1992). In Victoria, A. caudatum has been observed invad- ing riparian vegetation in central Victoria and Melbourne (Table 1). Using CLIMATE, the po- tential distribution of A. caudatum in Australia has been estimated at 12.9 million ha with a sub- stantial area of Victoria, New South Wales and Figure 2. Actual distribution of Achnatherum brachychaetum in central NSW in 1955 (left) and Tasmania at risk (Figure 1). potential distribution (right). Narrow-kernel espartillo ening agricultural productivity and the integrity Parsons, W.T. and Cuthbertson, E.G. (1992). Noxious Weeds Achnatherum brachychaetum (Godron) of Australia’s indigenous flora and fauna. Prompt of Australia. Melbourne, Inkata Press. Rosengurtt, B., Arrillaga De Maffei, B.R. and Izaguirre De (Synonym: Stipa brachychaeta ) control action should be undertaken to eradicate A. brachychaetum is similar to A. caudatum but Artucio, P. (1970). Gramineas Uruguayas. these weeds before their populations grow. Universidad de la Republica Departmento de the leaves lack auricles, the awn is once or twice Publicaciones, Coleccion Ciencias 5. Montevideo. bent (only one bend in A. caudatum) and there References United States Department of Agriculture (1953). Grasses are minor differences in the floral characters, Barkworth, M.E. (1993). North American Stipeae introduced into the United States. US Department of detailed above. It is native to Uruguay, Chile and (Gramineae): Taxonomic changes and other comments. Agriculture, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. Phytologia 74,1-25. 58. Central Argentina (Rosengurrt et al. 1970). In Caro, J.A. and Sanchez, E. (1971). La identidad de Stipa Walsh, N.G. (1994) Poaceae. Pp. 356-627 in Walsh, N.G. Chile and Argentina A. brachychaetum inhabits brachychaeta Godron, S. caudata Trinius y S. bertrandii and Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria. Vol 2. Ferns and fertile areas and is regarded of having little or no Philippi. Darwiniana 16, 637-53. Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons. Inkata Press, Melbourne. fodder value. It is considered an aggressive plant Jacobs, S.W.L. and Everett, J. (1993) Stipa. pp. 639-650 in G.Harden (Ed.), Flora of New South Wales Volume 4. Walsh, N.G. (1998) Identification of South American tus- on fallow lands with calcareous soils (Rosengurrt Kensington, University of New South Wales Press. sock weeds. Plant Protection Quarterly 13(2), 59-62. et al. 1970). A. brachychaetum is listed by the McLaren, D.A., Stasjic, V. and Gardener, M., 1998. The United States government as a noxious weed. It distribution and impact of south/north American David McLaren, KTRI, Phone: 03 9785 0111 stipoid grasses (Poaceae: Stipeae) in Australia. Plant Val Stasjic, National Herbarium of Victoria has been collected from ballast near Portland, Protection Quarterly 13(2), 62-70. Oregon and occurs in California (USA Depart- McPhee, D. and May, A. (1992). Stipa caudata in the Clunes Mark Gardener, formerly University of New ment of Agriculture 1953, Barkworth 1993). In district. Survey report. Unpublished Report, Depart- England, now with the Charles Darwin Research lucerne crops it reduces yields and interferes with ment of Conservation and Environment, Ballarat Re- Station, Galapagos Islands. gion. mowing (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). The earliest Australian record was from Merriwa, Vegetation Formations Locations Species Associated /Invaded/ New South Wales on 15 November 1955 and Invaded Reference the grass later spread to Quirindi (Figure 17). Broad kernel espartillo Narrow-kernel espartillo has not been found in Riparian Vegetation Dunnolly (150 km NW Threatening the vulnerable hairy other States or territories. It has been difficult to Melbourne) Tullaroop, Birch anchor plant (Discaria pubescens ) obtain reliable data on this species in NSW due and Crwswick Creeks (120- at Creswick Ck (McPhee and May its close resemblance to A. caudatum. By using 130 km NW Melbourne) 1992, V. Stajsic & E.Bruzzese CLIMATE, the potential distribution of A. pers. obs.) brachychaetum has been estimated at 0.6 mil- lion with a large area of NSW at risk (Figure 2). Edgars Creek (8 km N of (R.Hore, D.McLaren, V.Stajsic pers. Melbourne) obs.) Like other exotic stipoid grasses, espartillos are of little grazing value and difficult to eradicate. Narrow kernel espartillo The introduction and proliferation of the exotic Grassland Merriwa (225 km NW of No data stipoids over the past 100 years is seriously threat- Sydney) Page 12 Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Reports and Queries abcd st

Seeing red? - don’t panic, hermaphrodita occurs in any natural slug lion (Taraxacum officinale) and penny cress it’s only azolla populations prior to attempting to register it in (Thlaspi arvense) were greater in lucerne/ce- the USA. real fields than in continuous cereal crops. Inclu- If your farm dam has recently turned into a float- Excerpted from: Midwest Biocon. News 6(8), August sion of a lucerne hay rotation can be an element ing carpet of red/green, don’t panic - it may only of an integrated management strategy for wild be a free floating native aquatic plant known as oats (particularly where herbicide resistant), per- azolla. Azolla is currently blooming in many re- Rust on castor oil plant ennial thistle and bedstraw. Factors such as stand gions, forming thick blankets over smaller bodies The castor oil plant rust fungus, Melampsora age, fertility and cutting regimes are important in of water. It is generally a sign of high nutrient ricini, has recently been discovered in Western determining the suppressive effect of lucerne. levels in the water. Australia and Queensland. Castor oil plant is a Source: Ominski, P.D., Entz, M.H. and Kenkel, N. Azolla is not harmful to stock that drink the wa- minor weed in Victoria, naturalised at a few sites 1999. Weed suppression by Medicago sativa in ter or consume the plant but it can make access in inner Melbourne, south Gippsland and the subsequent cereal crops: a comparative survey. difficult for stock and block water pumps. Ex- Murray River west of Robinvale. If any weed Weed Science 47(3):282-290. cessive growth or rapidly rotting plants can also groups have made herbarium/reference collec- decrease oxygen levels and affect aquatic life in tions of castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) in the dam. Overseas the plant is used as a fertiliser the past 2 years, researchers would be very in- in rice fields and as a feed source for various terested to know if the rust is or is not present on domestic animals and birds.The plant has bacte- the specimens and the date and location the speci- Weed Science Society of Victoria ria living in its leaves which ‘fix’ nitrogen, so azolla mens were collected. The rust is very obvious Weed Mapping Workshop is nutrient rich and also a source of protein. on the leaf under surface as bright orange pus- and AGM tules. If the rust is there you’ll see the pustules. Control of azolla with chemicals is not usually The upper leaf surface is yellowish and older necessary as it will die off naturally and can be The Annual General Meeting of the Weed leaves may have dead patches especially be- removed either by hand or mechanically. Some Science Society of Victoria Inc. will be held tween small veins. registered chemicals will kill the weed, but this at the Keith Turnbull Research Institute, should only be attempted if absolutely necessary. Please respond to Inez Tommerup at CSIRO Perth Ballarto Rd, Frankston ([email protected]) Some chemicals may have unwanted side effects 28 February 2000 at 4.30 pm. such as killing off the aquatic life in the dam that or Roger Shivas (shivasr @dpi.qld.gov.au). feed and control the levels of other beneficial The AGM will be preceded by a weeds and algae. So, if you feel you need to Lucerne suppresses weeds Weed Mapping Workshop chemically dose your dam, look for a registered and followed by a BBQ . chemical that is not harmful to fish or wildlife. The ability of lucerne, Medicago sativa, to sup- The Workshop will start at 12.30 p.m. Make sure you follow the directions on the label press weed growth may provide a viable alter- Workshop sessions by: and note if there is any withholding period after native to chemical weed control in crops and Ian Allan, Geocode Mapping and Analysis - dosing. Remember that chemicals should be used allow producers to reduce herbicide inputs. A GIS and its pitfalls only when there is a significant problem and im- survey in Manitoba, Canada, investigated weed Dave Bulman, Army Engineering Agency- mediate control is required. populations in commercial cereal crops that had Satellite imaging & GIS for mapping been preceded by either lucerne hay or cereals. Centre for Envt Mgt University of Ballarat- Azolla has a characteristic fern shape, up to one 117 fields were surveyed. Inclusion of lucerne Integrated GIS in weed management centimetre wide and three centimetres long, and hay in crop rotations resulted in weed commu- Rick Pope, Woady Yalloak Catchment- can be either green or red or both, depending on nities different from those of continuous cere- Future directions for its exposure to sunlight. When the plant is dying it als. Naturally occurring populations of wild oats catchment indicators turns brown. Two species are found in Australia: (Avena fatua), perennial thistle (Cirsium Jim Backholer, KTRI - Mapping the Pacific azolla, Azolla filiculoides, which has sim- arvense), wild mustard (Brassica kaber) and future, PMIS and beyond ple roots and irregularly branched fronds, and bedstraw (Galium aparine) were lower in ce- There will also be a KTRI tour available for ferny azolla, A. pinnata, which has roots with real fields that had previously contained lucerne non-members who wish to attend the fine lateral rootlets and regularly branched fronds. than in cereals preceded by a cereal crop. For seminar and the BBQ and not the AGM. Janine Bishop, nutrient management officer example wild oats had 13 plants per square Seminar - $35.00 NRE Port Phillip Region metre in continuous cereals and only 0.4 plants BBQ $10.00 per square metre when the lucerne rotation was The AGM is FREE! Nematode for slug control incorporated. Reductions of this size are in the Non-members attending the seminar will be A nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, same order as those resulting from herbicide eligible for a new membership discount. a parasite of true slugs, is now being commercially treatment. Perennial thistle and wild oats were produced and marketed for biological control in also more patchy in the lucerne rotations. Popu- If you are interested in attending the the UK and Europe. Trials in Switzerland showed lation differences were not significant for redroot seminar please contact the Weed the parasite to be as effective for slug control as amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus), fat hen Science Society of Victoria on metaldehyde, a standard chemical bait. (Chenopodium album) and black bindweed 03 9576 2949. Investigation is underway in the USA to see if P. (Fallopia convolvulus). Populations of dande- Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Page 13

WEED WATCH WARNING Finger leaf oxalis Oxalis glabra

A new weed for Victoria has been collected by staff of the Merri Creek Management Committee. It has been found growing near Merri Creek, Rushwood Drive, Craigieburn, and has been identified by the National Herbarium of Victoria as Oxalis glabra, a South African species naturalised in Western Australia. This is the first record of its presence in Victoria. There are about 800 species of Oxalis, most of which occur in South Africa. Approximately 22 species are present in Australia, a few being native, and there are 10 introduced and 7 native in Victoria. One of the worst is soursob, O. pes-caprae, a Regionally Controlled Weed in the Corangamite and Glenelg Regions. Another species, the large-leaf wood sorrel O. latifolia can spread completely over cultivated land in two or three years and has caused problems in horticulture in the Dandenongs. Other species are environmental weeds of increasing importance. Oxalis glabra is commonly called finger leaf oxalis. It has slender, upright stems bearing leaves along most of their length. The leaves are composed of three leaflets which are 8-12 mm long and 1-2 mm wide. The species is stoloniferous with small bulbs (ovoid, acute, 5-9 mm long), bulbils produced on underground stolons and pink flowers with a yellow throat (flowering from May to October in Western Australia). Other flower colours (purple to white) are recorded in the literature. Amongst species naturalised in Victoria, the small, narrow leaves are distinctive. Hairy wood sorrel, O. hirta, naturalised in Melbourne and at Crib Point, also has elongate leaflets, but these are 3 mm wide or more. Finger leaf oxalis has the ability to spread rapidly. It is widespread and common between Perth and York in Western Australia where it has colonised disturbed woodland, paddocks, firebreaks and tracks. It grows in heavier soils along hundreds of kilometers of roadsides and railway lines in south west Western Australia where it is commonly seen in monocultures for long stretches. At Craigieburn it has been found throughout the industrial estate on nature strips, vacant lots, factory boundaries and within the council reserve, mostly on disturbed soil. It is believed the population has expanded since 1998. There is ample evidence that movement and disturbance by earthmoving machinery has massively increased and spread the plant. Merri Creek Management Committee is currently mapping the occurrence of the species and beginning control of plants within the council reserve. The distinctive flowers are a good aid in mapping its distribution. Adjoining land managers are being notified of the nwe weed and acting on infestations on their land. To limit further spread no soil should be moved from infested areas and vehicles that could carry soil containing propagules should not be allowed to move in or through these areas. Cleaning mud that contains bulbils from tools, boots and vehicles is an important part of restricting the spread from the site. Control techniques trialed include herbicide spraying. Control is likely to be difficult due to the presence of dormant bulbils. Anyone with information on existing populations or control methods should contact Brian or Judy at Merri Creek Management Committee (2 Lee St East Brunswick 3057, phone:(03) 9380 8199, fax:(03) 9380 698, [email protected]) and Rowan Hore, Catchment management Officer with NRE at Box Hill (Ph 9296 4400), who is coordinating management of the weed.

References Hussey, B.M.J. et al. 1997. Western Weeds. A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Vic- toria Park. (colour illustrations of plant and infestation) Marchant, N.G. et al. 1987. Flora of the Perth Region. Western Aus- tralian Herbarium, Department of Agriculture Western Australia. (de- scription) Merri Creek Management Committee 1999. Web site - http:// www.vicnet.net.au/~mcmc/weed.html Randall, R. 1999. Contribution on the Enviroweeds email list server.

Oxalis glabra - picture produced by Anna Benlow and Brian Bainbridge, Merri Creek Management Committee, by scanning a specimen collected from the site.

WeedWatch is a network of the CRC for Weed Management Systems in cooperation with all the states and territories of Australia to improve prevention and early intervention activity with new and expanding weeds. By reporting and recording these weeds quickly, we can prevent them becoming widespread, help to conserve indigenous biodiversity, protect industries and save the Australian community millions of dollars. Page 14 Under Control No. 11 December 1999

New Y2K-proof N e w P u b l i c a t i o n s version of PMIS is here

Greetings to users of PMIS, the Pest Man- agement Information System. I’m pleased to let you know that the long-awaited Y2K-proof ver- sion has been rolled out to all sites which have a local server - including KTRI. The new version is v. 2.0 Build 24. When you start up the application (ie when you click on the usual icon), it will be the new version which appears. You can now enter “forward dates, across the century” for work proposed for 2000, and that next year you will be able to enter “past dates, across the century” for work com- pleted in 1999. Also, there is a slightly modified Managing Wild Oats (Avena spp.) installation script which fixes some anomalous Toni Nugent, Andrew Storrie and Richard Medd, behaviour of the Treatment screens. CRC for Weed Management Systems and Grains If you have any questions about this, please don’t Research and Development Corporation, 1999. hesitate to contact me. Weed Management. Tools for an 28 pp, $10. ISBN 1 875477 43 8. Integrated Approach. Available from the Weeds CRC, ph (08) 8303 6590 or the Publications Officer, GRDC, ph (02) Wendy Bedggood, Victorian Institute for Dryland Jim Backholer 6272 5525 Agriculture, Agriculture Victoria, Horsham, 1998. Ph: (03) 9785 0150 86 pp. Soft cover, A4 size. $12.50 including post- There are few weeds of greater importance to age and handling from VIDA, Private Bag 260, Australian grain growing than wild oats (Avena Natimuk Rd., Horsham, 3401, ph 03 5362 2111, spp.). Worldwide they are among the most drumMUSTER fax 5362 2187. widespread and persistent annual weeds of grain crops, and are increasingly resistant to drumMUSTER is the new container Wendy Bedggood is an integrated weed man- herbicides. According to Dr Richard Medd, management program for farm chemical agement agronomist with VIDA. This manual is Principal Research Scientist with NSW containers, taking empty properly cleaned targeted to farmers and agriculture students and Agriculture and one of the authors of this new containers out of the waste stream and into is designed as a text for weed management management handbook, the annual cost of wild the recycling arena. drumMUSTER is for courses – the CRC for Weed Management Sys- oats to the Australian grain industry now probably empty, cleaned containers only. “RINSE tems short course on weed management and exceeds $100 million, accrued from expenditure THEM OUT, ROUND THEM UP AND short courses for chemical resellers. RUN THEM IN” - on herbicides and their application, lost yield from The manual is arranged in the following chap- the competitive effects of wild oats, and grain For best advice, purchase from an Agsafe ters: What is a Weed? (includes the range of contamination. With proper management, this Accredited retailer. Agsafe is a fully owned problems caused by weeds); Biology and Ecol- staggering loss need not occur. subsidiary of Avcare (the National ogy (seeds, asexual reproduction, using ecologi- Managing Wild Oats provides details of tools Association of Crop Production and Animal cal knowledge); Weed Identification (plant clas- and options available for more effective Health). sification, collection and ID, useful texts); Inte- management. The highly competitive nature of For more information contact grated Weed Management (definition, pastures, wild oats, their mimicry of crops, staggered drumMUSTER, Fax: 02 6230 6713 annual cropping, herbicide resistance, natural germination and ability to produce large numbers ecosystems); Weed Management Techniques of seed, are the main attributes which allow them (agronomic practices, cultural and physical con- to be important weeds of winter cropping systems trols, herbicides, biological control, microbial her- in Australia. Wild oats can be annihilated by a Under Control bicides, etc.); Legal Controls (including noxious planned program of crop rotation and herbicide weeds legislation); Herbicides and their Modes treatments to minimise the number of seeds available by email of Action (Groups A to N, includes products and returning to the soil. This is the key to effectively active constituents); Fates of Herbicides in the reducing populations to achieve long term control. Environment (in plants, in soil, environmental dis- Under Control is available as a PDF file Information on plant characteristics, growth, persion and movement, half life, plant back peri- by email. Readers who would like to development, seed production and farmer case ods). Each chapter has a reference list. receive the newsletter as an electronic studies are included in the book, the second of a file instead of on paper should contact An excellent, comprehensive and easily under- series from the Weeds CRC. Others in the series the Editor, Ian Faithfull stood introduction to weed management. will look at the management of annual ryegrass Ph. (03) 9785 0111 and integrated weed management principles. Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Page 15 N e w P u b l i c a t i o n s

partnership approach between stakeholders and · prevention and early intervention provide the promotes principles for cost sharing. most cost-effective means of dealing with weed invasions; The Strategy seeks to: · ensure early detection of and rapid response · successful weed management requires an to new weed problems; effective legislative, educational and coor- dination framework that provides for the · inform all Victorians about the economic, participation of all levels of government, social and environmental impacts of weeds managers of public and private land, serv- and how to act to minimise this impact; ice industries and the community; · achieve a significant reduction in the impact · government contribution to weed manage- of existing weed infestations; ment is provided where it produces a public · establish working partnerships to ensure benefit through activities that are technically cost-effective weed management; sound and for which the economic, envi- ronmental and social benefits outweigh the · promote the evaluation of weed manage- costs. ment in Victoria. The Strategy sets out a range of actions to The Strategy is based on the principles that: establish a cost effective, long term approach to Victorian Weeds Strategy · weed management is an essential compo- weed management in Victoria and promotes the Pest Plants and Animals Program, Department nent of sustainable land management, in- importance of weed management in the of Natural Resources and Environment. ISBN 0 cluding the protection of native vegetation; sustainable management of land and water 7311 4388 4. · a long-term commitment is essential for ef- resources. The Victorian Catchment Available from the NRE Information Centre and fective weed managemen which is an in- Management Council and the State’s ten NRE Regional Offices. Free. herent cost in land management; Catchment Management Authorities are working with the Department to implement the new The Victorian Weeds Strategy was launched in · managers of both private and public land strategy. Weed Action Plans are being developed August. It was developed by the Department of have a duty of care to ensure that their ac- at the regional level. Natural Resources and Environment, following tivities do not damage the land, a duty that the Government’s response to the Parliamentary extends to weed management as well as Environment and Natural Resources Committee’s other forms of land degradation; report Weeds in Victoria. The Strategy was · where there is damage and it is not possible Draft National Management produced in consultation with the community and to identify the cause of damage the benefi- Strategy for Carp Control outlines 52 actions needed for effective weed ciaries should pay for the treatment; management in Victoria. It encourages a Available on the Murray-Darling Basin Commis- sion website: http://www.mdbc.gov.au/News/ index.html, or contact the Project Officer, CCCG, 02-6279-0154 (fax: 02-6248-8053, simon. [email protected])., GPO Box 409 Canberra ACT, 2601 A draft interim National Management Strategy for Carp Control prepared by the Carp Control Coordinating Group (CCCG) – a consortium of Have all the resources and contacts you need for environmental and agricultural weeds in Australia and interests in natural resources and fisheries man- New Zealand at your fingertips with the Weed Navigator. The Weed Navigator is your first point of call to agement funded by the Commonwealth Govern- find your way around the weed world in Australia and New Zealand. With over 3000 entries, it is the most ment’s Natural Heritage Trust Fish Rehabilita- comprehensive weed contact and information guide in Australia. The Weed Navigator has two sections tion Program. (not sold separately). The Contact Directory, contains information on over 1020 contacts relating to weeds and invasive plants. Information includes names, addresses, email, phone, fax, web sites, and The ‘Strategy’ aims to outline the best approach newsletters. The Resource Guide, lists and describes over 1980 publications, brochures, web sites, for undertaking carp control on a national scale. databases, CDROMs, strategies, legislation, posters, training opportunities and much more. The CCCG is also now producing a ‘Strategic Who will use it? Farmers, Landcare groups, Friends groups, bush regenerators, consultants, contractors, Research Plan’, and two documents to provide Rangers, Conservation Officers, Pest Plant/Weed Officers, scientists, botanists, teachers, students, nurs- pragmatic guidance to groups considering on- eries, herbaria staff and media. ground action: ‘Guidelines for the Preparation of Order your copy of the Weed Navigator now. For only $30 (includes postage and handling), this is one of Regional Plans for Carp Control’ and ‘A Meth- the most useful weed resources you can purchase. odology for Prioritising Areas for Action’. These To order your copy contact: Cooperative Research Centre for Weed Management Systems (CRCWMS) are being drafted and will undergo “field testing” Ph 08 8308 6590, Fax 08 8303 7125 email [email protected] in the first half of 2000. Workshops were held during October/November to discuss the Strat- Or post order and payment (chequen made payable to CRCWMS or VISA/Mastercard/Bankcard details egy, State initiatives on carp control, and native to CRCMWS, University of Adelaide, PMB 1 Glen Osmond, SA, 5064. fish management in the Murray Darling Basin. Page 16 Under Control No. 11 December 1999 N e w P u b l i c a t i o n s

Thirty three expert botanists have contributed to the work by writing family or genus sections in their area of speciality. Volume 4 includes several large families (Rutaceae, Solanaceae, Boraginaceae, Lamiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Campanulaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae) and numerous families with few representatives in Victoria and includes 18 pages of corrections and additions to Volumes 2 and 3. The Flora of Victoria in total covers 4100 species (of which 1035 are non-native and 201 are endemic to Victoria) in 1073 genera (of which 397 are non-native) in 188 families. The Flora at recommended retail price will cost you $910: Vol. 1 (Introductory) $95, Vol.2 (ferns and allied plants, conifers, monocots) $195, Vol. 3 (Dicots, part 1) $295, so any available discounts are worthy taking up. It’s a must for the local library and workplaces where accurate information on plants is needed.

Ian Faithfull Feral Future. The Untold Story of Australia’s Exotic Invaders Tim Low, Viking (Penguin), 380 pp. ISBN 0670 88456 0 $24.95. Flora of Victoria Volume 4. This is the most essential popular book for those in- Dicotyledons: Cornaceae to terested in Australian ecology and natural resources since Tim Flannery’s The Future Eaters (Reed Books Asteraceae 1994). Tim Low himself provides a preview: N.G.Walsh and T.J.Entwisle, National “Feral Future tells the exotic invasions story in a Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens populist style, with chapters on garden plants as Melbourne, Inkata Press, Melbourne, 1999. weeds, pasture plants, ballast invaders, ex-aquarium ISBN 0 409 30853 6 $325.00. Available from pests, sleepers, etc. I mention Amazonian earthworms, the NRE Information Centre. crazy ants, mosses, mushrooms, diseases and the This magnificent manual, with the three previous vol- government’s new Weeds of National Significance list. umes, in the essential scholarly reference for those There are detailed source notes and 480 references to seeking to identify plants in Victoria. The set as a back it all up. This book consumed almost three years whole covers all native and naturalised vascular of my life, almost killing me along the way. I hope it plants known from the State and replaces J.H. Willis’s provides useful ammunition for all those weedos try- long outdated and unillustrated Handbook to Plants ing to convince governments and gardeners that in Victoria (2 vols. 1970, 1973). For the purposes of Natural Resource Monitoring weeds really are a threat. Here’s how it begins.” the Flora, naturalised species are defined as plants Guide. A Practical Guide for “This is a book about exotic pests. The themes are not indigenous to Victoria that “freely reproduce and Detecting Change Occurring at the grow outside a crop, plantation or garden situation”. simple: people and products are crisscrossing the Property or Catchment Level world as never before, and on the new global highways Weeds of agriculture and horticulture that may not so created, plants and animals are travelling too. On strictly meet this definition are nevertheless treated Compiled by Max Smith. Department of Natural as naturalised exotics. top of this, domesticated plants and animals are Resources, Qld. 154 pp., spiral bound. ISBN 0 escaping our control on an unprecedented scale. A The volume begins with a 17 page key to the families 7242 74440 5 $15.00 from the NRE Information of Victorian plants. A detailed botanical description globalisation of ecology is under way with profound Centre. implications for us all. It is happening everywhere. of each family, genus and species is provided. The Exotic plants and animals are turning up in Antarctica sections on each family include a key to the genera This is a practical guide to enable monitoring by and on the remotest islands on earth. Australian within the family and the section for each genus landholders at an individual property level and by redback spiders have made their way to Tristan da includes a key to the species. Where necessary there Landcare and catchment management groups at a dis- Cunha, a remote speck lost in the middle of the South is a key to subspecific taxa. The full names and trict level. It explains what to measure, what to look Atlantic, and they are invading homes in New Zealand description (ca. 100 words) are given for each species for, and how to do it, so that land management effects and Japan as well. Australia now has rabbits along with distribution information including region, can be assessed. Coverage of generic monitoring prin- scampering about on Uluru, European weeds on top habitat and a 10 x 10 minute grid map based on all ciples and techniques is good, but at a basic level, of Mt Kosciuszko and Amazonian earthworms verified records. Diagnostic features of almost all the without much detail. The pest plants and animals sec- burrowing beneath her rainforests. More than 140 species are illustrated with line drawings, provided tion, occupying 20 pages, explains the units of as- exotic species haunt the murky waters of Port Phillip by 14 different illustrators. There are 16 full page sessment (survey and density measurements), out- Bay alone. World ecology is now locked onto the same colour plates by Anita Barley, each illustrating one, lines the rationale, procedures and recording tech- trajectory as popular culture. Just as American pop two or three species. The species descriptions are niques and provides sources for further technical in- music and blue jeans, burgers and Coke, have based on Victorian specimens and observations, a formation. The Guide is well illustrated, well laid out, displaced indigenous culture and foods in every land, decided advantage when a species shows strong colourful and user-friendly. It is intended for use in so too are vigorous exotic invaders overwhelming geographical variation. Botanical terms used in the Queensland and thus is of limited utility for landholders native species and natural habitats. Some biologists descriptions are defined in an illustrated 21 page in Victoria, but it provides a good model. complain of a ‘McDonaldization’ of world ecology. glossary. People with some botanical knowledge The earth is hurtling towards one world culture and should find the book relatively easy to use. Those Bill Underwood, Farmsmart (maybe) one world ecosystem.” not so skilled will find it an enthusing tool for study. and Ian Faithfull Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Page 17

phone 07 3896 9515, fax 07 3896 9672, email as it does to the ways of the rabbit. [email protected] The author, Brian Coman, is a former scientist with NRE. He spent some of his twenty three Host specificity testing for biological control has years as a researcher based at the Keith Turnbull two broad aims: to detect species which should Research Institute. The wealth of his experience not be released because they will have an unac- in the study and management of rabbits is evi- ceptable economic or environmental impact, and dent throughout the book, as the reader is taken to minimise the probability that safe and poten- through rabbits then to rabbits now. The range tially useful agents will be disallowed. Such test- of methods and efforts that have been deployed ing should provide the information which allows against rabbits as a devastating pest in Australia for well informed determination of the risk a po- is astounding; they have been gassed, trapped, tential agent represents in a new environment. shot, poisoned, fenced, ripped, blown up, diseased, Generally there are three main components of pursued, ferreted, dogged, ‘battue’d, bludgeoned such testing: 1. field observations in the country and coursed ... and for the most part cursed by Prime Notes Version 8 of origin; 2. literature surveys of potential agent farmers and environmentalists alike. And they are and closely related organisms and 3. laboratory still here. CD ROM. Published by DPIQ, 1999. $45 plus studies. A fourth component is increasingly be- The book has fascinating historical detail (includ- $5 p&p from the NRE Info Centre. ing used as an adjunct: open field testing in the ing some great figures and photos) about weird A new CD containing over 3150 information notes country of origin using native plants imported and wonderful rabbit control devices and theo- and advisory leaflets from State Government de- from the country of intended release. ries. While laughing at some of these, a sobering partments, centres and corporations Australia Often little is known of the natural history of a thought is they probably seemed like real solu- wide. NRE contributes 960 Notes (657 Ag Notes, potential agent so the lab studies become ex- tions at the time. Also, it was a reminder of ‘not 174 Landcare Notes, 74 Fisheries Notes, 21 Land tremely important. However the behaviour of so distant past’ role of the rabbit as a significant for Wildlife, 20 Groundwater, 4 Aquaculture). animals in lab situations can be substantially dis- resource - food and skins - something not in the Other contributors include Queensland Dept. torted by the conditions of captivity and testing experience of many from later generations. Primary Industries (DPI Notes), Queensland results can therefore be difficult to interpret. Dept. Natural Resources (DNR Facts.), Primary I would recommend Tooth and Nail: The Story Industries South Australia (Fact Sheets), Grains The book contains ten papers in four sections: of the Rabbit in Australia for anyone interested Research and Development Corporation (project comparisons of testing methodologies in weed and in pest animal (especially rabbit) management. It summaries), Agriculture NSW (Agnotes, insect biocontrol; literature reviews of method- captures many aspects of rabbit biology, Austral- Agfacts, etc.), Bureau of Sugar Experiment Sta- ologies and a general discussion. It will mainly ian history, ecology and especially human per- tions (Fact Sheets), Agriculture WA (Farmnotes), be of interest to scientific and technical biocontrol ceptions of pests, which underlie our current man- Kondinin group (Research reports and Machin- staff, regulatory authorities and students but pro- agement principles and practices. It is made an ery evaluations), NT Primary Industries and Fish- vides an engrossing introduction to the complexi- easy read by Brian Comans’ sense of humor. eries (Agnotes). Extremely good value. ties of testing and the trends towards improved Despite the rabbit battle being far from won, it’s methodologies needed to better evaluate risk. also well worth knowing about those whose ca- reers have been dedicated to the cause.

Penny Fisher, Vertebrate Pest Research Victorian Institute of Animal Science Agriculture Victoria, Frankston

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Expertise in the preparation of brochures, booklets, posters Host Specificity Testing in Aus- and other extension material. tralasia: Towards Improved As- Weeds are our specialty. says for Biological Control Tooth and Nail: The Story of the Competitive prices, Papers from the ‘Introduction of exotic biocontrol Rabbit in Australia quality graphic design, agents – recommendations on host specificity Brian Coman, Text Publishing, Melbourne, 1999. accurate information. testing procedures in Australasia’ workshop, Bris- 241 pages. ISBN 1 876485 08 6. $24.95 from bane, October 1998. Edited by T.M.Withers, the NRE Information Centre. Contact Les Bould at KTRI L.Barton Browne and J.Stanley. Department of phone (03) 9785 0128 Natural Resources, Qld, 1999. 104 pp. ISBN 0 No matter what you think of rabbits (although [email protected] 7345 1616 9. $30 + $4 post and handling. Scien- most readers will probably think of the word tific Publishing, Natural Sciences Precinct, A ‘pest’!) this is an entertaining and informative book a Block, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly, Qld, 4068, which gives as much insight into human behaviour Page 18 Under Control No. 11 December 1999

12th Australian Weeds Conference Papers and Proceedings. Weed management into the 21st century: do we know where we’re going? Net Sites Edited by A.C.Bishop, M.Boersma and C.D.Barnes, 686 pp., softcover, $60 + $10 post- of Interest age from Conference Design, PO Box 342, Sandy Bay, Tas.7006, email: [email protected] Cooperative Research Centre for Weed Management Systems The Conference was held in Hobart in Septem- http://www.waite.adelaide.edu.au/ ber and was attended by over 300 people. The CRCWMS/ proceedings contains an abundance of fascinat- ing material on all aspects of weed management Tamar Valley Weed Strategy in Australia including pasture management, as- http://weeds.tassie.net.au Winning the War on Weeds. sessing and evaluating weed problems, new gov- The Essential Gardener’s Guide to ernment approaches and attitudes to weed in- Craig’s juicy native grass gossip cursions, strategic and regional approaches to Weed Identification and Control http://www.ecoseeds.com/ weed management and weed ecology in crops, Mark A.Wolff. 1999. 112 pp., soft cover, Kanga- juicy.gossip.six.html pastures, natural ecosystems and aquatic sys- roo Press, ISBN 0 86417 993 6. $24.95. Info about weeds he calls ‘ecosystem busters’. tems, weed education and communication, inte- grated management, biological control, herbicides 11 grasses, 46 other species arranged in groups Weed ID in Virginia by plant form (trees etc.) illustrated with colour as weed management tools, herbicide resistance. http://www.ppws.vt.edu/weedindex.htm photos. Text has brief descriptions including There is an author index but unfortunately no leaves, flowers, fruit; origin; distribution; dispersal. subject or weed species index. Thanks to Sandy Lloyd for web information. The species selected represent a component of the Sydney weed flora although 90% are problem NRE Customer Service Centre plants in Victoria. A strength of the book is the 30 Introducing KTRI Web pages on hand weeding methods for different types Attention NRE Wide Area Network users. of plants, illustrated with line drawings and with Everything you Are you interested in weeds? special recommendations for seedlings and need to know ... at the If the answer is yes then point your browser at particular weeds eg. for gorse: “Cut back all main http://ktriweb branches, leaving a 30 cm stump for grubbing. end of the phone Clear away debris from around stump. With a KTRI is committed to the provision and ongoing mattock, chop under the stump base and lever up maintenance of an NRE Intranet site. until the stump is freed of roots.” 9 pages on using So you want to find out about fox or KTRIWEB is essentially designed to support herbicides explains the basics of herbicide action, rabbit control measures? Perhaps prickly staff at the Institute, but if you are involved with recommends herbicides for particular species, and pear or spear thistle have invaded your weeds or the provision of extension material on explains application methods (spray, cut/scrape property. Where do you go for the weeds then you may find the “Weed Image Ar- and paint, drill, wick wiper). 4pp. glossary, 6 item information? chive” of interest! reference list and index to common and scientific The “Weed Image Archive” currently contains The Department of Natural Resources names. over 800 full colour thumb-nailed images of pho- and Environment’s (NRE’s) new tographs taken by KTRI staff. Future additions Australian Journal of Customer Service Centre means that will include Bill Parsons’ photographs from Nox- access to the information is now as close Environmental Management ious Weeds of Australia and other high quality as the phone. Published by the Environment Institute of photographs. Australia, GPO Box 211D, Melbourne Vic. 3001 Ph: 03 9654 7473, Fax : 03 9650 1242 The centre provides a single point of The archive is still in development and it is en- Invasive Species Special - Volume 6, Number 3, contact for NRE products, services, visaged that much more content, including text September 1999: Federal policy and legislation publications and events, and can put you descriptions will be added as time permits. Should to control invading alien species; Weed risk in touch with experts when you need you find an image or images you would like to assessment of plant imports to Australia: policy specialist information and advice. use, please note the number and contact Les and process; Environmental weeds and loss of Bould, by phone, fax or email to discuss your native plant biodiversity: some Australian Victorians can access the service from request. Images can be supplied in a variety of examples; Diversity, impacts and options for anywhere in the State for the cost of a formats and resolutions. Please note that all im- managing invasive marine species in Australian local call (excluding public and mobile ages are copyright and there are restrictions on waters; Risk assessment for importing and phones). their use. If you have any images of your own keeping exotic vertebrates in Australia. Also of Phone - 136 186 that you would like to see added to the archive, interest Vol.5 No.3, Sept. 1998: Deirdre Slattery, 8am to 8pm talk to Les. Monday to Friday Environmental Weeds and Community Education. [email protected] E-mail - Phone (03) 97850129 For more information about the journal see [email protected] http://home.vicnet.net.au/~eia/ajem.htm Fax (03)97852007 Under Control No. 11 December 1999 Page 19

Western Australian Herbicide Keith Turnbull Research Institute Contacts Resistance Initiative Science Director El Bruzzese [email protected] http://wahri.agric.uwa.edu.au Business Manager Peter Andrew [email protected] Publications Sales Princy Kroon [email protected]

WAHRI is based at the Faculty of Agriculture, Extension Support Jim Backholer [email protected] University of Western Australia,Perth and Landcare Notes Ian Faithfull [email protected] conducts research, development and extension PMIS Jim Backholer [email protected] on many aspects of herbicide resistance and ‘Under Control’ Newsletter Ian Faithfull [email protected] Desktop publishing & KTRI web Les Bould [email protected] its management in Australian cropping systems. The website offers valuable information for Vertebrate Pest Research (VIAS) Penny Fisher [email protected] anyone with an interest in weed management Invertebrate Pests Greg Lefoe [email protected] and provides an overview of the WAHRI Elm Pests and Diseases Greg Lefoe [email protected] research program. Fig Psyllids Kate McArthur [email protected] Integrated Weed Management Weeds of Agricultural Ecosystems David McLaren [email protected] a Tom Morley [email protected] Weeds of Natural Ecosystems Patrick Pigott [email protected] Do you need Pest Plant Impact Assessment John Weiss [email protected] Alligator Weed Lalith Gunasekera [email protected] Other Aquatic Weeds Lalith Gunasekera [email protected] our services? Boneseed and Bitou Bush Aline Bruzzese [email protected] Horehound Emma Wills [email protected] Ragwort David McLaren [email protected] KTRI is keen to ensure that the best informa- Serrated Tussock, Chilean Needlegrass David McLaren [email protected] Chemical Control of Environmental Weeds Graeme Pritchard [email protected] tion, technology and practices are utilised in the Julio Bonilla [email protected] range of initiatives and programs funded by the Herbicide Strategies for Environmental Weeds Nigel Ainsworth [email protected] Commonwealth and State governments to reduce Biological Control of Weeds Raelene Kwong [email protected] the threat of pest plants and animals. We there- Blackberry Franz Mahr [email protected] fore offer our services as part of partnerships Docks Ian Faithfull [email protected] requiring a research and/or development com- English Broom Kate McArthur [email protected] Gorse John Stoner [email protected] ponent that will ensure the desired outcomes. Prickly Pear Raelene Kwong [email protected] Ragwort John Stoner [email protected] The Institute has the capacity to undertake large South American Tussock Grasses David McLaren [email protected] or small scale research or consultative projects St John’s Wort Franz Mahr [email protected] and has a reputation for innovative work, helping Thistles Brad Roberts [email protected] to develop practical and cost effective solutions Tutsan Franz Mahr [email protected] Paterson’s Curse Kerry Roberts [email protected] for a wide range of pest problems. Education Programs The Institute offers a range of services includ- Environmental Weeds Education Kate Blood [email protected] ing: CRC Weed Management Systems Kate Blood [email protected] · Pest plant and pest insect surveys and im- Nigel Ainsworth [email protected] El Bruzzese [email protected] pact evaluations. · Development of integrated pest management KTRI, Agriculture Victoria, PO Box 48 Frankston, Vic 3199 strategies and plans. Tel (03) 9785 0111 Fax (03) 9785 2007 DX 211791 [email protected] · Monitoring and evaluation of pest plant and animal management programs. If you wish to have your name added to the mailing list for Under Control or to · Education and training in pest plant and pest Under Control - Pest Plant make further enquiries please contact: insect management. and Animal Management · Development of innovative pest management News is distributed free of Keith Turnbull Research Institute techniques. charge to Landcare and PO Box 48 · Pest Management Information Systems. Friends groups, local Frankston, Vic, 3199 government, NRE catch- · Herbicide and pesticide evaluation research. Phone (03) 9785 0111 · Development of extension programs on pest ment management and extension officers and pest Fax (03) 9785 2007 plants and insects. management researchers Email · Preparation of leaflets, brochures, booklets throughout Victoria. [email protected] and posters. Please let us know if you have · Biological control programs on pest plants changed your address or no longer and pest insects. wish to receive the newsletter.

If you think our services may be of assistance in solving your pest problem we would be pleased Under Control - Pest Plant and Animal Management News is the quarterly publication to discuss it with you. of the Keith Turnbull Research Institute, Agriculture Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Contact: Ó State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, 1999. El Bruzzese ([email protected]) or Editor: Ian Faithfull Peter Andrew ([email protected]) Assistance by Les Bould (graphics), Raelene Kwong and El Bruzzese. on (03) 9785 0111. Printed by Doran Printing, 46 Industrial Drive, Braeside, Victoria 3195. POSTAGE U n d e r C o n t r o l PAID SURFACE FRANKSTON Pest Plant and Animal Management News VIC 3199 No.11 December 1999 MAIL

If undeliverable please return to: Keith Turnbull Research Institute PO Box 48 FRANKSTON VIC 3199 AUSTRALIA Print Post Approved PP 320362/00005

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Its here and its hungry. Psyllid to help sweep broom from the high country - Kate McArthur 1 Impact of St John’s wort mite - Franz Mahr 2 Orobanche: parasitic weed threat to pulses, oilseeds and vegetables 3 Integrated management of bitou: impact of the bitou seed fly and other biocontrol agents 4 Ragwort plume moth approved for release - David McLaren 5 Biocontrol of thistles project update - Brad Roberts 5 The Department of Scotch thistle target for biological control 6 Natural Resources Staff Profile: Patrick Piggott, Program Leader, Weeds of Natural Ecosystems 7 and Environment is a Control of St John’s wort by grazing sheep - Chris Bourke and Ian Southwell 8 supporting participant Environmentally Aware Contractors - Bruce Dupe 9 in Distribution and impact of American stipoid grasses Part 5. Espartillos, Achnatherum species - David McLaren, 10 the Cooperative Val Stasjic & Mark Gardener Research Centre for Reports and Queries - Azolla; Nematodes for slug control; Rust on castor oil plant; lucerne suppresses weeds 12 Weed Management Weed Watch Warning - Finger leaf oxalis Oxalis glabra 13 Systems Y2K-proof PMIS 14 New publications 14 Weed Patch - Internet sites of interest 18 KTRI services 19 KTRI contacts 19

Readers should feel free to circulate and pass on Under Control. Permission is readily granted for articles to be reproduced freely in other publications if the author and source are acknowledged. Please contact the Editor and send us a copy (thank you!). Disclaimer The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the chemical products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind, or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Copyright © State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment 1999