Under Cont r o l Pest Plant and Animal Management News

Number 19 NRE Frankston, Keith Turnbull Research Institute March 2002

ISSN 1328-2425 Partnership tackles threat to historic elms

INSIDE THIS ISSUE First release of the NRE Invasive Species 2 Symposium Compliance campaign 3 elm leaf beetle parasitic fly targets weed inaction Recent weed prosecutions - 3 sale of Paterson’s curse in hay The elm leaf beetle parasitic fly, Erynniopsis 1980s found that one quarter of them had elm leaf Biological suppression of 4 antennata, was released for the first time in beetle populations where the apparent maximum willows - is it possible? Australia on 29 January. The first 20 flies were parasitism by the fly was over 40%. Higher rates Weedbuster Award - Private 5 liberated in Birrarung Marr park, not far from the Land Winners - Janet of parasitism are possible in Australia because a Truscot & Grant Murray Royal Botanic Gardens, the site of Victoria’s oldest hyper-parasite of the fly, which causes heavy fly Bridal creeper - leafhopper 6 elm trees. The Minister for Environment and mortality in California, is not present here. and rust establishing Conservation, Ms Sherryl Garbutt, released the Victoria has about 70,000 elms, up to 150 years Boneseed buckle mite 7 new “secret agent” to help protect Victoria’s Gorse pod moth - new 8 old. “The historic elms of Victoria are the finest in historic elms from destruction by the leaf beetle, arrival to Australia the world, mainly because disease and the elm Horehound clearwing moth 9 Pyrrhalta luteola, a voracious northern leaf beetle have decimated elms in Europe. Not survives at Wyperfeld hemisphere defoliator that has spread through only are they the landscape backbone in Weed Watch Warning - 10 much of Victoria since first being detected on the Tambookie grass, Continued page 2 Hyparrhenia hirta Mornington Peninsula in 1989. Fire ant eradication 12 Elm leaf beetle parasitic fly 13 “Elm leaf beetle is a serious threat to our elms,” released Ms Garbutt said. “Until now, cities, shires and Pierce’s disease in grapes 15 citizens have been able only to use insecticides to ‘Daughterless’ carp 15 protect elms. This is not always practical, Melbourne foxes 15 Reports and queries 16 affordable or safe. Using a natural enemy of the New Publications 17 beetle is a sensible, low cost and environmentally Internet sites of interest 18 safe option.” KTRI contacts 19 The elm leaf beetle parasitic fly should reduce reliance on spraying in parks, streets and private gardens. The fly parasitises mature elm leaf beetle larvae, either killing the larva before it pupates or remaining as a first instar maggot throughout the beetle’s pupal and overwintering adult stages. In the latter case, the fly emerges from the adult beetle soon after the beetle commences feeding on spring growth. “The elm leaf beetle parasitic fly eats nothing but elm leaf beetle. It looks like a housefly but only lives around elm trees. It will not lead to more flies in houses. The parasitic fly population cannot increase to high numbers because it is entirely dependent for food upon the elm leaf beetle. As it lowers the numbers of beetles, so its numbers will Minister for Environment and Conservation, drop”, Ms Garbutt said. Sherryl Garbutt releases elm leaf beetle parasitic flies (Photo: Raelene Kwong) A survey of cities in northern California in the mid Page 2 Under Control No. 19 March 2002

First release of the elm leaf beetle parasitic fly (continued from page 1) NRE

Melbourne’s parks and streets, they form most of the Avenues of Honour in the cities Invasive Species Symposium and towns throughout the State. Our elms must be protected. Victorians have a unique relationship with elms and this project is a RE’s Chief Scientists are hosting an inter- great example of partnerships at work. Local N legislative, enforcement and research di- nal NRE symposium on April 23-24 at the In- rections. government, university, community and stitute for Horticultural Development, state government contributions made this Knoxfield, to examine the work being done A steering committee with representatives from a reality.” Ms Garbutt said. throughout the Department to combat incur- Agriculture, Catchment and Water, Forest sions of invasive species and to seek improve- Services, Fisheries, and Parks, Flora and Fauna “Melbourne City last year valued its ments to NRE policy and operational responses. Divisions (including key research institutes) has amenity trees at $360 million, and it spends been assembled to organise the symposium. $220,000 per annum on spraying the beetle. NRE’s responsibilities in the areas of invasive species management and biosecurity are exten- For more information in relation to the sympo- It has been estimated that the elms of sium, please contact Sarah Keel by Email at Victoria are worth in excess of $700 million. sive and are managed by a number of Divisions in the areas of natural resource management, [email protected]. This biological control project has cost primary production, biodiversity conservation, Note: Attendance at this event is limited to 120 approximately $200,000 so it can be seen as regulation and research. NRE staff will be able NRE staff currently working in invasive species cost-effective as well as environmentally to learn what their colleagues in other Divisions prevention and mitigation. Priority has been safer.” are doing to combat invasive species, where the given to presenters and to ensure equal information and operational gaps are, and how The project was funded by the Cities of representation over all relevant NRE Divisions. they can better integrate their actions across ‘One Melbourne, Yarra, Stonnington and NRE’. Monash, La Trobe Shire, Melbourne ❁ University, Friends of the Elms Inc., There will be keynote addresses by invited ex- Horticulture Australia and NRE. The ternal scientists to stimulate discussion and a NRE Customer concluding address from one of the Chief Scien- research was done by NRE scientists Greg tists on the topic of Integrating and Coordinat- Service Centre Lefoe and Raelene Kwong at KTRI. ing NRE’s biosecurity capacity. The keynote addresses will be given by invited scientists, Turn to page 13 for further details. including the Deputy New Zealand Parliamen- Everything you tary Commissioner for the Environment on the need to know international perspective on invasive species mitigation, Dr Michael Taylor (Agriculture, ... at the end of the Fisheries and Forestry Australia) to elucidate phone the national perspective, and the Executive Di- rectors of several of the relevant NRE Divisions. So you want to find out about fox or rabbit control measures? Perhaps prickly pear or Talks and posters will be presented by NRE spear thistle have invaded your property. staff over two days to share information on cur- Where do you go for the information? rent practices, identify opportunities for im- proved cooperation and provide strategic input The Department of Natural Resources and into NRE’s future directions and needs. Environment’s (NRE’s) Customer Service Centre means that access to the informa- The broad objectives of the symposium are to: tion is now as close as the phone. • bring together NRE staff working in the The centre provides a single point of areas of invasive species management and contact for NRE products, services, biosecurity from the policy, legislative, en- publications and events, and can put you forcement and research perspective, in touch with experts when you need facilitating the sharing of information across specialist information and advice. the organisation; • provide an overview of all NRE’s current Victorians can access the service from capacity and skills base in invasive species anywhere in the State for the cost of a management / biosecurity; local call (excluding public and mobile • discuss and identify opportunities for phones). improved coordination of invasive species Phone - 136 186 management / biosecurity by NRE; Overwintering aggregation of elm leaf 8am to 8pm • leverage new funding sources for this area; beetles from a fire-wood pile in Califor- Monday to Friday and nia. To obtain the parasitic fly for release E-mail - [email protected] in Victoria 16,000 beetles were imported • highlight opportunities for improved co- from the USA. (Photo: Dave Rowney) operation that will underpin future policy, ❁ Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Page 3

Compliance Recent weed prosecutions campaign targets Sale of Paterson’s curse in hay weed inaction On 5 March 2002 an Echuca hay contractor became the first person in Victoria The Bracks Government has reaffirmed to be prosecuted under Section 71(1) (d) of its commitment to cracking down on land- the Catchment and Land Protection Act holders whose lack of action on weeds con- 1994, for selling hay contaminated with tinues to threaten neighbouring properties, noxious weeds. Under this section, “a the Minister for Environment and Conser- person must not without a permit from the vation, Ms Sherryl Garbutt, said on 6 Feb- Secretary, remove or cause to be removed ruary. or sell fodder or grain which contains the “Although most landowners accept their seeds or any other part of a noxious weed responsibility for weed control, some that is capable of growing”. The CaLP Act requires that reason- able precautions be taken to ensure people still fail to manage land responsibly, Echuca Magistrates Court heard that the that machinery and equipment such not only compromising their own land, but offender agreed to cut the hay on a as slashers are free from noxious those landholders around them who do Yarrawonga property in November 2000 in weed propagules before they are make an effort to control weeds,” Ms exchange for half the bales. The paddock moved onto roads Garbutt said. of subterranean clover had been sprayed (Photo: Mark Farrer, NRE) Ms Garbutt said NRE officers inspected for Paterson’s curse five months before it more than 7990 properties across the state was cut. Forty round bales were then sold Ideally weeds should be controlled prior to during the past six months under the to a farmer at Lancaster, near Kyabram. harvesting, but where this is not the case, Government’s Enhanced Enforcement Pro- Purple flowers were noticed in the round hay or grain containing noxious weed seed gram. “That means approximately 560,000 bales when they were delivered at the or plant parts capable of growing should hectares were covered and more than 8000 Lancaster property. NRE officers were not leave the farm. Where possible, farmers landowners contacted.” notified and asked to confirm the should check the origin of potential contamination. Samples taken from the purchases to ensure produce is free of The acceleration of NRE enforcement ac- bales revealed adult Paterson’s curse contaminants. Agents who purchase, sell tion through the Enhanced Enforcement plants, flowers and mature seed. or transport fodder or grain are reminded Program has resulted in a 48 per cent in- to ensure that their produce is clean. crease in enforcement activity compared Seeds taken from the Paterson’s curse were with the same six-month period last year. In sent to KTRI for testing, where Tom Morley Alan McKay the period between July and December found that a high proportion of the seed Senior Catchment Management Officer 2001, NRE officers continued the re-direc- (38 of 40 seeds) germinated under NRE, Echuca tion compliance effort on weeds that are controlled conditions within 12 days. given priority in Regional Weed Action The offender’s solicitor pleaded guilty on Plans. The program is targeting those land- his client’s behalf, with a plea for leniency Ragwort South Gippsland holders who fail to support the efforts un- because there was the possibility of civil In late February, absentee landowners, dertaken by their neighbours in these pri- proceedings against his client by the resident in Singapore, pleaded guilty at ority areas. purchaser of the hay. The Magistrate Korumburra Magistrates Court to a charge Ms Garbutt said NRE officers undertook found the case proven and the offender of failing to comply with a land management more than 2700 enforcement actions dur- was placed on a 12-month $100 good notice to control ragwort on their 80 ha ing the six-months, including two success- behaviour bond and ordered to pay $57.50 Toora property. The offenders were fined ful prosecutions. The increased and re-tar- costs. $1000 and ordered to pay $5,900 geted enforcement activity resulted in 94 Contaminated hay is the likely cause of compensation to NRE for control works per cent of land-holders complying with many new weed outbreaks. The Lancaster undertaken by the Department. weed regulations. The Government has farm had no history of Paterson’s curse prior committed a total of $1.55 million to the to the importation of this contaminated hay, Serrated tussock again Enhanced Enforcement Program in 2001/ according to NRE’s Integrated Pest Earlier in February an Anakie landowner 2002, a boost of $300,000 on the previous Management System, a good indication pleaded guilty at Geelong Magistrates year. that it had been kept clean. The purchaser Court of failing to comply with an order to Source: Media Release, Minister for has subsequently destroyed the 40 bales, to control serrated tussock and was fined Environment and Conservation, 6 February 2002 worth about $2000. $500 . Page 4 Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Biological suppression of willows in Australia: is it possible? Willows are amongst the worst ripar- and predation in both Europe and North ian and wetland weeds in temperate Aus- America. tralia. They have been identified as Weeds In comparison with a conventional control of National Significance because of their program, the benefits of a successful bio- impact on biodiversity, water quality and logical control of willows include reduced the amenity values of invaded areas. Wil- herbicide use in riparian areas; gradual nu- low management conservatively costs wa- trient release into streams (rather than mas- terway managers in Victoria, New South sive inputs from leaf fall in winter) and Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and gradual willow replacement with other ri- Tasmania $6.0 million per annum. This does parian flora (rather than extensive distur- not include the significant costs associated bance). with rehabilitation after willows are removed. Initially, the taxa of targeted willows will The National Willow Strategic Plan have to be nominated as targets of biologi- (www.weeds.org.au) has identified the po- cal control, to enable identification of po- tential of biological control as an additional, tential conflicts of interest. Such conflicts cost-effective management tool that could are likely to be identified because of the be developed for the suppression of widely need to protect ornamental willows and the naturalised taxa of willows. It complements fact that the community has a low aware- the currently used mechanical and chemi- ness of the impact of weedy willows. In cal control methods and has a specific role The Weeds of National Significance addition, strict protocols on the importa- in integrated willow management plans, tar- National Strategy for Willows, published tion, testing and release of biological con- geting widespread, dense infestations that in October 2001 trol agents administered by the Australian have a longer-term priority for management Weeds Committee, the Australian Quaran- due to the high cost of immediate control potentially host specific fungal pathogens, tine and Inspection Service and Environ- or the inaccessibility of infestations. mites and insects have been recorded on targeted willows in their areas of origin in ment Australia would have to be followed A study on the feasibility of biological con- the northern hemisphere. for each candidate agent imported. trol of weedy willow species in Australia Given these potential agents, there are Biological suppression has a specific role was carried out recently, investigating the three broad biological control options for in integrated weed management plans. It is six most invasive and widespread willow targeted willows: most successfully targeted at widespread, species. 1. The direct targeting of sexual reproduction dense infestations of weeds that have a • Salix alba var. vitellina (golden willow), (male and female flowers) to reduce the devel- longer-term priority for management due to a tree of European origin. opment, production and dispersal of viable the high cost of immediate control or the seeds by sexually reproducing species. inaccessibility of infestations. Biological • Salix cinerea (grey sallow or pussy wil- 2. The indirect targeting of sexual and clonal low), a large and spreading shrub or small suppression does not lead to eradication reproduction by weakening trees through de- of the target weed, but over time, the infes- tree of Eurasian origin. struction of buds, defoliation early in the sea- tations are reduced to a more acceptable • Salix fragilis var. fragilis (crack willow), son and the use of galls as energy sinks. level, or to a level where they can be fur- a tree of European origin. 3. The reduction of current biomass by attack on buds, leaves, twigs, stems and trunks. ther reduced by chemical and cultural tech- • Salix nigra (black willow), a large and niques. spreading shrub of North American origin. A program on the biological control of wil- • Salix viminalis (osier), a tree of European lows would have to be planned over the origin. long-term due to the complexity of the tar- El Bruzzese and Jean-Louis Sagliocco • Salix x rubens (basket willow), a hybrid get and the need to protect closely-related, desirable species such as weeping willow. tree, with S. fragilis and S. alba parentage, This study was funded by the following Victo- A conservative estimate of the research and rian Catchment Management Authorities: of European origin. implementation phases of the program is a Corangamite, East Gippsland, Glenelg Hopkins, The study, based on available literature and period of 9-12 years. The fact that targeted Goulburn Broken, North Central, North East, databases, identified a number of fungal species have origins in Eurasia and North West Gippsland, and Melbourne Water and the pathogens and two sawflies already attack- America means that an extended survey Department of Natural Resources and Environ- ment, Victoria. ing willows in Australia, but their impact on and selection phase overseas will be nec- populations has not been determined. The essary. The program will require a network study also identified that a large number of of collaborating experts on willow ecology Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Page 5

Janet Truscott and Grant Murray - hard work rewarded Winners – Victorian Weedbuster Award Private Land Category

Janet Truscott and Grant Murray, private landholders on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne, are the recipients of the 2001 Victorian Weedbuster Award in the Private Land Category. The Awards were presented in October last year. The private land award was initiated to recognise individual land holders, volunteer and community groups (such as Land for Wildlife, Bushcare, and Landcare) who have displayed commitment to weed management initiatives on private land. The award may recognise primary producers who tackle weeds through sound land management techniques, or through weed management initiatives in shelter belts, wildlife corridors and other remnant vegetation on private land.

The judges considered: Grant Murray accepts the 2001Victorian Weedbuster Award- Private Land category 1. The incorporation of integrated weed from the Minister for Environment and Conservation Sherryl Garbutt at KTRI on 6 management initiatives into property October. Woody Weed, the Weedbuster mascot in the centre. plans. Does the plan address incursions of declared noxious weeds, restoring the ecological values of their the transformation of Janet and Grant’s new and emerging weeds and weeds Mornington Peninsula property, through property in the past four years. Not only of national significance? minimising the impact of pest plants. had the ragwort, once rife on the property, 2. The implementation of ‘best practice’ been brought under control, but the weed management. Does the Janet and Grant are participants in the Land sensitive gully areas had been returned landholder’s approach include the for Wildlife (LFW) scheme, and it is through almost to their natural state. Large areas of adoption of sustainable land participation in this process that their blackberry had been eradicated along with management practices such as pasture laudable efforts were brought to light. They other environmental weeds and an improvement and the rehabilitation of first applied for LFW status on their newly understorey of false bracken and many degraded habitats with indigenous acquired property in December 1997. Due other indigenous species was bouncing species? to the significant weed problem inherited back”. 3. The prevention of the spread of weeds when they bought the property they were on and away from the property by admitted into the scheme after the first Congratulations to Janet Truscott and addressing issues such as machinery inspection on the basis that they were Grant Murray. hygiene. ‘working towards’ full LFW registration. 4. Whether the natural values of remnant After committing themselves to not only vegetation on the property are working full time at other jobs, but to literally Kate McArthur enhanced or protected through cutting the flowering heads off thousands Victorian Weedbuster Coordinator appropriate weed management and thousands of noxious weeds and Phone: (03) 9785 0136 initiatives. applying a wide range of available integrated 5. The cooperation with others in the weed control techniques, Janet and Grant community to encourage participation have almost eradicated weeds from their See Under Control No. 18, December in and help raise awareness of weed land. 2001 for a story on Sue Longmore, Winner issues. of the Weedbuster Excellence Award. The They have since received full LFW status, winners of the Public Land and Education Janet and Grant received the Victorian as the observations of their LFW assessor, Weedbuster Private Land award for their Awards will be featured in forthcoming Bessie Hussey, visiting the property 4 years issues. absolute dedication and commitment to after the first visit, attests: “I was amazed at Page 6 Under Control No. 19 March 2002

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL Bridal creeper - leafhopper and rust establishing B ridal creeper, Asparagus asparagoides, is an extremely damaging and Bridal creeper biological persistent environmental weed that is also control agent release sites a problem in orchards and neglected gar- in Victoria 1999-2001 dens. It is highly invasive and has been (Map: Kerry Roberts) recognised as a Weed of National Signifi- cance. Approval to target bridal creeper for biocontrol was made in 1991 and CSIRO sur- veyed potential agents in South Africa, where bridal creeper originates, from 1989. Several promising agents were identified and laboratory testing of them commenced in the mid -1990s. In Victoria, the biological control of bridal creeper project kicked off with the first re- lease of the leafhopper Zygina sp. (family Cicadellidae) in July 1999. Since then the leafhopper has been released at 64 sites Victoria in 2001 (see map). Monitoring of stays green until late in the season or the around the State (see map). The leaf hop- these sites will begin shortly, with updates foliage persists through the summer per attacks its host by sucking nutrients to be published in future editions. months are well suited for release of out of the foliage, leaving white zig-zag pat- leafhoppers. If you think you have a Both the rust fungus and leafhoppers will suitable site and would like to be involved terns on the leaf (cladode) surface. Under continue to be released during the coming heavy attack, plants may be severely defo- in a field day please contact Kerry Roberts season. It is also hoped that field days will (ph. 03 9785 0135). liated, forcing them to use up nutrient re- be held at established sites to teach serves stored in the underground tubers. landholders and Landcare and Friends Preliminary monitoring has shown that groups how to redistribute the rust. Suitable Kerry Roberts and Raelene Kwong populations are surviving at 50% of sites, sites for release of the rust are those that but in most instances have not yet built up have a dense and persistent bridal creeper Bridal creeper biocontrol is funded by NRE large enough populations to exert a mea- infestation with a low priority for control Catchment & Water and Parks, Flora & Fauna Divisions and is a project of the CRC for surable impact on bridal creeper. However by other means. Sites where bridal creeper Australian Weed Management. survival over the summer period, when the foliage of bridal creeper completely dies back at most sites, is a promising sign. At one particular site on the Mornington Peninsula, at Coolart Wetlands near Somers, the leafhopper population has exploded. Only two years after release, leafhoppers can be found in their thousands, causing complete defoliation of bridal creeper within 50 m of the original release point. The site is a swampy, well-shaded area that promotes an extended bridal creeper growing period, enabling the leafhoppers to feed and repro- duce for a longer period. Leafhoppers are not expected to be successful at all sites. How successful they are will depend greatly on the environmental conditions. The bridal creeper rust fungus Puccinia myrsiphylli is also going well. It was first released in Victoria at Rye on the Mornington Peninsula in July 2000. The rust Bridal creeper at Coolart before release of the leafhopper (left) and two was released at a further 34 sites across years after release (right). (Photos: Franz Mahr (left), Kerry Roberts (right)) Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Page 7

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL Boneseed’s time just mite be up The boneseed leaf buckle mite Aceria neseri, a microscopic animal distantly related to spiders, is currently under investigation as a biological control agent for boneseed, Chrysanthemoides monilifera monilifera, its natural host in Southern Africa. If all goes to plan and host specificity testing confirms the suspicion that the mite is safe, then a new biological control agent should be available for boneseed in Australia in the near future. Feeding by the mite, which involves piercing the leaf-surface cells and sucking out their contents, induces the formation of gall-like patches called erinea. Erinea are composed of abnormal masses of leaf hairs. During the normal development of a boneseed leaf, the hairs that cover it when young are shed as the leaf grows. However, leaves infested with leaf buckle mite retain hairs and grow abnormally in the vicinity Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides of mite feeding. The retained hairs may also monilifera monilifera) with leaf buckling grow abnormally and provide food for the (arrowed) caused by the leaf buckle mite burgeoning mite community. At a Aceria neseri (Photo: Tom Morley) Each test plant was inoculated with a microscopic level, the result is a dense Chrysanthemoides monilifera. The mite has forest of leaf hairs, which provides safe bouquet of leaf buckle mite-infested also resisted my attempts so far to establish boneseed foliage harbour from predators, protection from the it on Chrysanthemoides incana, a very (Photo: Tom Morley) weather, a plentiful food supply and an close southern African relative of boneseed environment suitable for the mites to that has a growth habit suitable for erineum multiply. At a macroscopic level the result development. is smaller, distorted leaves with little hairy patches that do not contribute to Bitou bush, Chrysanthemoides monilifera photosynthesis by the leaf and become rotundata, also hosts an erinium-forming energy sinks. mite that is almost certainly a biological race of A. neseri. But I have not ventured far Since late 1998, all attempts to import the enough east in South Africa to see natural mite from South Africa into quarantine at stands of the form of rotundata found in KTRI have failed, mainly because of the Australia and have neither tested this race difficulty of maintaining healthy boneseed of the mite nor the susceptibility of Austra- plants for long periods in the available lian bitou to the mite race found on quarantine facilities. Consequently, an boneseed. alternative plan to conduct testing at a laboratory in the native range was If the mite is approved for release in developed. The Agricultural Research Australia (and the chance of approval is Council’s Plant Protection Research good) it will will add to the effect of other Liesl Smith, ARC-PPRI Technical Institute (ARC-PPRI) in South Africa agents that are present and help to diminish Assistant, inoculating host-specificity kindly agreed to host me for six months at the threat caused by boneseed in the future. test plants (Photo: Tom Morley) their Stellenbosch campus near Cape Town. Networks Scientific Exchange Programs and Host specificity testing of the mite is now Tom Morley Melbourne Airport Corporation. almost complete as a result of a short but I express my sincere gratitude to Agricultural intensive study at Stellenbosch. With Acknowledgements Research Council’s Plant Protection Research Testing of Aceria neseri in South Africa was funded about 80% of the required plants tested, Institute and its staff for graciously allowing me by the Australia and New Zealand Environment to conduct this work at their Stellenbosch campus there is no indication that the mite feeds or and Conservation Council (ANZECC), NRE’s and for making me welcome. causes injury to plants other than Catchment & Water and Enhancing Science Page 8 Under Control No. 19 March 2002

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL Gorse pod moth - new arrival to Australia!

In mid December 2001 we welcomed the gorse pod moth, Cydia succedana, into Australia for the first time. The moths were imported from New Zealand through the assistance of our colleagues at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research at Lincoln, in the South Island. A mandatory requirement for imports of this type is that the insect be reared through a complete generation under quarantine conditions to ensure that the population is free of parasites and diseases, and that all the individuals are of the same species. When cleared through quarantine, a mass- rearing program will commence and the moth will be released throughout gorse infestations in Victoria. A concurrent program will be conducted in Tasmania by the Tasmanian Institute for Agricultural Research. Gorse pod moth The pod moth is the fourth biological adults (above) are control agent to be introduced against 5-8 mm long and gorse. The gorse seed weevil, Apion ulicis, pale brown in was introduced back in the late 1930’s and colour. The larva is widely established throughout the range (left) burrows into of gorse in Victoria and Tasmania. In early pods and eats the 1999 the gorse spider mite, Tetranychus seeds. Each caterpillar can lintearius, was released and has since destroy the seeds in become widely established, although its two three pods. effectiveness can sometimes be hampered (Photos: courtesy by predatory mites and ladybird beetles. Manaaki Whenua The gorse thrips, Sericothrips staphylinus, Landcare Research was imported in October 2000 and is New Zealand Ltd.) showing good signs of establishment in Victoria and Tasmania. During spring the effects of the moth Biological control is simply another tool The pod moth was extensively tested for combine with those of the seed weevil and that can be used to help reduce the spread Australia by Landcare Research New a reduction of seed production of up to and density of gorse infestations. Zealand Ltd. to ensure that it was host 90% has been recorded. It is expected that specific to gorse and no threat to any similar results will be seen in Australia once Kerry Roberts desirable plant species. It is expected that the moth is established. Ph. (03) 9785 0135 the first release in Victoria will be made Reducing seed production will assist in during early April. reducing the spread of gorse in the future. The biological control of gorse program is funded Larvae of the pod moth feed solely on the However, because of the large amount of by NRE Catchment and Water Division. flowers and developing seeds of gorse, seed already stored within the soil, the attacking both spring- and autumn- effects of the pod moth may take many produced seed. In New Zealand, where the years to become apparent. For this reason, moth is well established, it consumes 15% conventional gorse management practices of the seed crop after autumn flowering. should continue where appropriate. Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Page 9

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Horehound clearwing moth survives at Wyperfeld

Above: Horehound clearwing moth T he horehound clearwing moth, Flat, 818 in February 1999 and 682 in release site at Black Flat, Wyperfeld Chamaesphecia mysiniformis (Lep- December 1999. Biological data from work National Park, February 1999. The white idoptera: Sesiidae), was first released in conducted in Europe indicated that a spots on horehound plants in the mid Australia in March 1997 at Black Flat in minimum of 700 eggs per release site was foreground are metal tags attached to Wyperfeld National Park, north-west needed to establish a self-sustaining inoculated plants, as shown in the inset Victoria. The moth has an annual life cycle population. Although the insect was (top right). (Photos: Emma Wills) Top left: Male horehound clearwing with females laying eggs on the base of collected in Spain (Zaragoza) from a region moth (Photo: John Stoner) mature plants, with the size of the stems with high summer temperatures, there was and plants acting as an oviposition cue. still some doubt about whether the moth The larvae feed and develop within the would survive the harsh south-eastern live plants (96 %) and 52 dead plants (4 %) poor-quality woody roots of horehound Australian climate with high summer with a density of 5.83 plants per square and larval feeding damage sometimes kills daytime temperatures over long periods metre. A total of 141 plants (100 live plants the plant before adults emerge or generally and lower rainfall during the year. and 41 dead plants) was collected to assess in the following year. Roots of young plants the insect presence. Among this sample, provide better quality food, however in The Wyperfeld National Park site has been 16 of the live plants (16 %) showed nature young plants are more rarely monitored each spring since 1997. In 1998 evidence of larvae tunneling in the roots, attacked than mature plants. Observations larvae were recovered from the previous while among the dead plants 26 (63 % of in the field in Europe indicate that larval year’s release. In 1999, of the 62 eggs or dead plants) showed evidence of larval mortality is about 75%, mostly because egg shells found, 43 were empty (which damage. The larvae found during the plant quality is sometimes inadequate for indicate that the larvae had emerged) and sampling were kept and adults emerged at complete larval development or due to the 19 showed no larval emergence. Further KTRI in November-December. The adult stress inflicted to the plant by the larval investigations showed evidence of larval moths reared from this collected material presence. In Europe, larvae of this species tunneling in plants that had been were slightly smaller than the insects were never found to be parasitised. inoculated. collected in Europe, suggesting that the conditions at Wyperfeld and the quality of Mass rearing of C. mysiniformis in the Further monitoring was conducted in the foodplant there are even poorer than in insectary at KTRI proved to be difficult and November 2001. The monitoring procedure areas where the moth is native. the initial number of eggs that were is a standard protocol, with sampling taking produced for release was limited. A major place along transects in four compass These preliminary results suggest that the reason for this was the artificial conditions directions from the release point. The horehound clearwing moth has survived under which the insect had to be kept in transects at Black Flat were 2 m wide and the difficult climate at Wyperfeld National quarantine to re-synchronise its life cycle extended to 30 m from the release point. Park during the few years since it was with the Australian summer conditions. In The total area in which all plants were released. However it is still too early to say March 1997, 146 eggs were released at Black checked was 240 m2, and contained 1347 if this insect population will not suffer if Page 10 Under Control No. 19 March 2002 extreme summer temperatures prevail, and too early to assess how far the insect may have dispersed. KTRI staff will be WEED WATCH WARNING monitoring this site again in spring this year to check what happens to the horehound Tambookie Grass clearwing moth populations at Wyperfeld National Park. Hyparrhenia hirta Ian Faithfull, Jean-Louis Sagliocco and John Weiss Hyparrhenia species are important components of natural pastures in Africa, References especially where there is a long dry season, and their foliage has been used for Keith Turnbull Research Institute (1998) roof thatching in many countries. There are four species in Australia, three of Horehound suppression with the horehound which are naturalised. They are classified in the grass tribe Anthristriinae, along clearwing moth. Department of Natural Resources with Themeda (kangaroo grass). and Environment Landcare Note BC0028. Sagliocco, J.-L. (1998) Technical Information H. hirta, also known as Coolatai grass, is native to Africa, south west Asia and a Manual for the Rearing of Chamaesphecia large part of the Mediterranean region. It was introduced to and spread in Austra- mysiniformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) a Root- lia as a summer-growing pasture grass and was first recognised as naturalised in boring Insect for the Biocontrol of Horehound. Victoria in the early 1990s. It is now spreading widely in the Northern Irrigation CSIRO & CRC for Weed Management Systems, 15 pp. (unpublished). region with rapidly increasing populations e.g. in irrigated areas near Piangil Sagliocco, J.-L. and Coupland, J.B. (1995) Biology (Swan Hill area), Kyabram, Numurkah and Springhurst. Tambookie grass is po- and host specificity of Chamaesphecia tentially a very serious weed of roadsides, urban areas, pastures, grassland and mysiniformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), a potential bushland. biological control agent of Marrubium vulgare (Lamiaceae) in Australia. Biocontrol Science and Identification Technology 5, 509-515. The genus Hyparrhenia is characterised by an inflorescence (flowering head) Wills, E. (2000) The release and establishment of with few to many paired racemes (flower clusters with flowers on short lateral two biological control agents of horehound (Marrubium vulgare L.) in south-eastern Australia. stalks off the main axis), each pair more or less supported by a usually brightly Plant Protection Quarterly 15(1), 26-28. coloured spathe-like bract. H. hirta is a densely-tufted, tussock-forming, long- lived perennial with culms (aerial stem bearing the flowers) to 1.5 m high, but generally less than 1 m. The leaves are flat, folded or inrolled, to 40 cm long and 4 mm wide, pale, greyish green, with a prominent midrib and glabrous (hairless) sheaths. The inflorescence is a much-branched, elongated panicle 15-30 cm long, NRE Customer each branch with a pinkish bract (‘spathe’) at its base and terminated by a pair of Service Centre 3 cm long, grey or whitish, silky-hairy racemes (flower clusters) on slender, curved Everything you branches 3-8 cm long. The branches are generally longer than the bracts and need to know have soft hairs just below the racemes. The spikelets (individual flowers) in each raceme are arranged in pairs, one of the pair being unstalked and fertile with a ... at the end of the phone long twisted awn, and the other stalked, without an awn and not producing a So you want to find out about fox or seed. The former are bisexual florets while the latter are male. There are 5-7 bi- rabbit control measures? Perhaps prickly sexual spikelets in each raceme. These are about 4 mm long, straw coloured to pear or spear thistle have invaded your greyish, covered in white silky hairs, with the awn being golden-brown in colour, property. Where do you go for the information? 15-25 mm long and hairy at the base. The panicle expands and becomes very The Department of Natural Resources and fluffy when dry. The plant flowers from late spring into early autumn, usually Environment’s (NRE’s) Customer Service January to March in Victoria. Centre means that access to the informa- Introduction and spread tion is now as close as the phone. The centre provides a single point of H. hirta is an economically important plant that was promoted for pasture use in contact for NRE products, services, Western Australia from the 1960s onwards. At least ten races, sourced from Iraq publications and events, and can put you to Portugal and South Africa, were introduced by CSIRO and used for trials in the in touch with experts when you need 1960s. Studies indicated that Tambookie grass monocultures could double carry- specialist information and advice. ing capacity in Western Australian sheep pastures, but the potential of the grass Victorians can access the service from could be limited by low seed yields. It is believed that seed from South Africa was anywhere in the State for the cost of a local call (excluding public and mobile first sown in the Coolatai district of NSW in the 1940s and the plant now occurs phones). widely in northern NSW and southern Queensland. In northern NSW H. hirta is Phone - 136 186 generally regarded as an invasive, weedy species and as undesirable where it has 8am to 8pm invaded roadsides, travelling stock routes and pastures. Monday to Friday E-mail - [email protected] Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Page 11

Tambookie grass Hyparrhenia hirta

The plant has spread rapidly in WA over the last five years, along road and rail verges and into adjacent bushland, throughout the whole of the south-west, from Dongara to Ravensthorpe. In South Australia it is considered a grassland invader on the outskirts of Adelaide. It has spread very quickly with the aid of council mowing in the north of the city and has been seen (and controlled) on roadsides to the south. A similar species, the rhizomatous H. filipendula, also known as Tambookie grass, from Africa and tropical Asia, is grown in NSW and Queensland as a useful winter and drought forage. Properties H. hirta is extremely deep-rooted for a grass (at least 3 m). It has a growth cycle characteristic of subtropical grasses, with maximum growth usually in late spring but highest in mid summer after good rain. It is sensitive to low temperatures (<15°C) during germination and as a seedling. It produces large amounts of dry herbage and the prolific summer biomass production increases fire risks and requires more frequent mowing. Opinions differ on the fodder value of the spe- cies, with some authors considering that is is a useful species, others that it is avoided by stock and has little forage value. In general, in each particular area there will be better, less invasive pasture grasses that are easier to manage. No herbicides are registered for control of Tambookie grass in Victoria.

Information from Brian Sindel (University of New England), David Cooke and John Virtue (Primary Industries and Resources South Australia) and Sandy Lloyd (Dept of Agriculture Western Australia) was used in preparation of this article. Sean Murphy (NSW Agriculture) provided references.

Ian Faithfull

References Friend, E. (compiler) (1983) Queensland Weed Seeds. Queensland Department of Primary Tambookie grass habit and seed. Industries Miscellaneous Publication 81013, Brisbane, QDPI. 1. paired racemes, 2. inflorescence Humphries, A.W. (1965) Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf – a novel pasture species for a Medi- branch, 3. bract, 4. upper and lower terranean environment. Australian Plant Introduction Review 2(1), 17-18 limits of inflorescence, 5. culm, 6. awn. Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J. and Lloyd, S.G. (1997) Western Weeds. (Original pen and ink drawing by Mali Moir, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. Victoria Park, Plant Protection Society from N.G. Walsh & T.J. Entwisle 1994, Flora of Western Australia. of Victoria Vol.2. Numbers and arrows Leach T.J. (2000) Managing a weed grass Hyparrhenia hirta, Coolatai or Tambookie grass. added) Native Grass South Australia 1(6): 121-123. Lodge, G.M., McMillan, M.G., McCormick, L.H. & Cook, A.S. (1994) Effects of glyphosate, flupropanate and 2,2-DPA on Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf (Coolatai grass). Aus- tralian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 34, 479-485. McCormick, L. & Lodge, G. (1991) Coolatai grass – friend or foe? NSW Agriculture and Fisheries Agnote Reg 2/015. McWilliam, J.R., Shanker, K. & Knox, R.B. (1970) Effects of temperature and photoperiod on growth and reproductive development in Hyparrhenia hirta. Australian Jour- nal of Agricultural Research 21, 557-569. Walsh, N. G. (1994) Poaceae. Pp. 356-627 In Walsh, N.G. & Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Volume 2. Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons. Melbourne, Inkata Press. (Hyparrhenia p. 625)

Seeds of Tambookie grass, shown below at approximately natural size. (Photo by Brian Fillery and line art by Antoinette Roberts from Queensland Weed Seeds compiled by T.E. Friend (1983), courtesy of Department of Primary Industries, Queensland) Page 12 Under Control No. 19 March 2002

INVERTEBRATE PESTS Fire ant eradication program

have remained stationary for a long time. Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, Purchasers can insist that vendors provide a is a serious new pest first detected in Queensland written assurance or certification that their in January 2001. By mid year, hundreds of products are free of fire ants. Sellers of high risk infested sites had been found, mostly in the material need to ensure they do not spread fire western suburbs of Wacol and Ellen Grove. In ants in their products and are required to March 2001 the ant was discovered in a shipment undertake regular property inspections and of 60 pot plants sent to a Dandenong (Victoria) develop risk management plans. company and later in the year Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services officers Displays are held in shopping centres where the destroyed a nest found amongst pallets in a treatment and surveillance teams are working, consignment of chemicals and mining machinery and training is held on the properties of high- arriving in Melbourne from Texas. The areas now risk clients as needed. The feasibility of using a known to be infested are confined to Queensland: ‘fire ant free’ logo, intended to assist businesses Ipswich, south-west Brisbane and around the operating inside the restricted area, is being mouth of the Brisbane River. investigated and quality systems are being evaluated and improved, with provisions for The fire ant outbreak probably represents the auditing by a third party. greatest ecological threat to Australia since the introduction of the rabbit. Overseas experience On the scientific side, sites have been selected demonstrates that if not eradicated the ant will to investigate ant species assemblages and effects spread rapidly and seriously affect agriculture, of the treatment regime, with many sites being industry, biodiversity and domestic life. Fire ants monitored by pitfall trapping. Observations are inflict a painful, fiery sting, which causes a small being made on how ants are attracted to the baits blister or pustule after several hours. The blisters and what they do with the baits after collection. become itchy while healing and are prone to Queen ants are being extracted from each new infection if broken. treated site each week to monitor the effects of treatment. All monitored sites are being mapped The Queensland Department of Primary for nests and activity. Industries (QDPI) is coordinating the eradication program. During December, January and Ian Faithfull February structured surveillance was undertaken over a wide area and new infestations were found in Sunnybank, in a townhouse complex at Sources Queensland Department of Primary Industries web Kuraby, at Wellington Point, and at Stretton, site: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fireants/ where two smaller nests were found by field 812 infested properties had been identified and staff undertaking routine surveillance. All new Fire ant identity cards help residents unearth new the total area treated was approximately 45,000 nests. QDPI media release, 20 February 2002. sites are within the existing treatment and ha. The treatment regime will involve baiting surveillance zones and all have been treated as Fire ant campaign ‘effective’. The Age, 31 four times a year over the next three years and December 2001, p.6. part of the National Fire Ant Eradication surveillance on properties in a fifteen kilometre Program. Quarantine finds fire ants in cargo. AQIS Bulletin buffer for five years. The chemicals being used 14(8) p.3, October 2001. Fire ant identity cards are proving very successful are insect growth regulators with low toxicity Progress Report on the National Red Imported in helping the Queensland public identify new to humans or animals, and are applied by QDPI Fire Ant Eradication Program – Queensland Re- infestations. The cards, part of the program’s officers using hand held fertiliser spreaders on port. December 2001 - January 2002. QDPI, passive surveillance campaign, were placed in residential properties, and with all-terrain Brisbane. 45 newspapers distributed to over 1 million vehicles in parks and other areas. Deaths of a Queenslanders. The scope of the problem is Rottweiler dog, a wild dove and a resident’s already immense. By late February structured fish were proved unrelated to the baiting surveillance teams had visited 42,500 properties program. - half of the 100 percent surveillance area. There There is a risk involved in the purchase and were 735 call-centre inquiries during December- supply of materials from infested areas. The January, for a total since the centre opened of new infestations at Kuraby and Wellington 47,628 calls (to 14 March 2002). 1833 ant Point were in newly developed properties samples were identified as a result of where materials were brought onto the site, surveillance. Only 16 were fire ants, all from the indicating the importance of the public and treatment zone. businesses following the movement regulations. By January a total of 11,601properties had been High risk items include materials that have been treated, 10,665 manually and 936 mechanically, in contact with the ground, such as pallets of with 5,345 ha aerially treated. By late February pavers and other products or machinery that Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Page 13

Elm leaf beetle parasitic fly released by Greg Lefoe

The first official release of the elm leaf The aim of the biological control project is The results of these tests were submitted beetle parasitic fly Erynniopsis antennata to re-establish the natural balance between to Environment Australia, the Australian (Diptera: Tachinidae) took place at the elm leaf beetle and its specialist Government agency responsible for Melbourne’s Birrarung Marr Park on 29 predators and parasites. When selecting ensuring that there is no threat to native January 2002 (see page 1). Almost 200 flies natural enemies of the beetle, only those flora and fauna from organisms introduced have now been released at three locations: organisms that specialise on the target pest for biological control, and to the Australian central Melbourne, Lilydale and Alexandra. were considered. These are termed “host- Quarantine and Inspection Service, which specific”. To ensure that natural enemies considers potential threats to primary The flies released this season emerged from introduced to Australia are host-specific industry. In addition, the application to parasitised elm leaf beetles Pyrrhalta and pose no threat, each natural enemy introduce a natural enemy such as luteola, collected on a trip to the USA in must undergo extensive testing and study. Erynniopsis is reviewed by CSIRO, and November 2001. Dr Don Dahlsten and his In the case of the elm leaf beetle parasitic every State government agriculture and staff at the University of California – fly, this work commenced in 1991. The fly conservation department. Each of these Berkeley provided tremendous support in was tested against a range of native organisations must agree that the locating and shipping the insects. Don has Australian insects and beneficial species introduction is safe and poses no threat to a long association with Australia’s elms, and was found to only attack elm leaf beetle primary industry or the Australian having visited Melbourne in the early 1990s larvae. These findings were supported by environment. The elm leaf beetle parasitic to assist with elm leaf beetle research at studies of the fly in its natural range, where fly has met all these requirements for KTRI. To locate the parasitic flies, Dave it is only known to attack the elm leaf beetle. introduction to Australia. Rowney and Nadir Erbilgin (UC – Berkeley) and Beverley Gingg (San Luis Obispo County) organised an elm leaf beetle hunt in the township of Santa Margarita, south of San Francisco. The aim of the beetle hunt was to find and collect as many potentially parasitised elm leaf beetles as possible during my short visit to the USA. It wasn’t long before we started turning up thousands of over- wintering beetles (and the occasional rattlesnake skin) from the log piles of Santa Margarita. 16,000 beetles were collected and shipped to NRE’s quarantine facility at KTRI Frankston. The beetles arrived in good condition and were processed and placed onto young elms in the quarantine glasshouse. Several weeks later the adult Erynniopsis flies began emerging from parasitised beetles. Following emergence, the flies were collected, screened and released at the three Victorian release sites. Jean-Louis Sagliocco, Jo Wood and Michael Lindeman (KTRI) and Mali Malipatil (IHD) provided valuable assistance during this phase of the project. The release sites will be monitored next spring and summer to determine whether Erynniopsis has Lifecycle of the elm leaf beetle parasitic fly. Flies lay eggs on mature beetle larvae. established. Further importations may be The fly maggot either kills the larva before it pupates (summer) or remains as a necessary to supplement the initial young maggot inside the pupal and overwintering adult stages of the beetle and releases. emerges soon after adult beetle begins feeding on spring growth (Anon, 1994, Elm Leaf Management Notebook. University of California, Davis) Page 14 Under Control No. 19 March 2002

INVERTEBRATE PESTS

Although the benefits of the biological control program will not be known for several years, in some parts of California, USA, the parasitic fly controls up to 40% of the elm leaf beetle population. This is despite the presence of a hyper-parasite (a parasite that kills the parasitic fly). The strict quarantine procedures at KTRI means that Erynniopsis has been released without its hyper-parasite, giving it potential to be even more effective here than in California. Biological control research has been part of a broader integrated management project that has included research into safer chemical controls, education and training in elm leaf beetle management, and the development of a contingency plan for Dutch elm disease. While there can be no guarantee that the parasitic fly will establish here, its successful introduction could lead The parasitic fly was reared from elm leaf beetles collected in the USA. Here to a significant reduction in pesticide use Nadir Erbilgin, Greg Lefoe and Beverley Gingg collect overwintering aggrega- tions from a firewood pile in Santa Margarita, California. (Photo: Dave Rowney) in streets, parks and gardens, with reduced costs to local government and other elm Field, R.P. & Kwong, R.M. (1994) Biological owners. It will be important though to assess control of elm leaf beetle. Plant Protection Quar- the impact of the parasitic fly when it is terly 9(2), 47-49. established and conduct a full cost/benefit analysis of the program. Waterhouse, D.F. & Sands, D.P.A (2001) Clas- sical Biological Control of Arthropods in Aus- tralia. Canberra, Australian Centre for Interna- References tional Agricultural Research. Driestadt, S. H.and Dahlesten, D.L. (1990). Dis- tribution and abundance of Erynniopsis The project was funded by the Cities of antennata (Dipt.: Tachinidae) and Tetrastichus Melbourne, Yarra, Stonnington and Monash, bevistigma (Hym. Eulophidae), two introduced La Trobe Shire, Melbourne University, Friends elm leaf beetle parasitoids in northern Califor- of the Elms Inc., Horticulture Australia and NRE. nia. Entomophaga 35(4), 527-536.

A retrospective: in February 1991. Over 3200 wasps were The elm leaf beetle released in November 1991 at Mt Eliza, Berwick and Mornington, and a further A recorded phone service for egg parasite 1600 over the same sites in 1992. Regular monitoring at Mt Eliza indicated that elm information on wasp identifi- leaf beetle eggs were being parasitised cation, nest destruction, sting The egg parasitoid Oomyzus (formerly and it was clear that the parasite could treatment and prevention, Tetrastichus) gallerucae, a tiny wasp in survive and reproduce over the spring/ and other topics. The 24 hour the family Eulophidae, was host-specifity summer period. free call number is tested at KTRI in 1990 and approved for However by 1994 there was no evidence release. This insect was first used for of survival from one season to the next. biocontrol in 1907 when it was imported 1800 060 864 It appears likely that the insect failed to to the USA from France. Further releases overwinter, just like what happened at were made from the 1960s to the 1980s in many American sites. Failure to establish EUROPEAN WASP the USA and the wasp is now important may be due to the insect’s life cylce in INFORMATION LINE there as a regulator of elm leaf beetle Victoria, where it undergoes only one populations. per generation per year, as opposed to A free service from the Department of Australian releases commenced in the 2-4 generations per year that Natural Resources and Environment December 1990 at Mt Eliza and at Berwick commonly occur in the USA. Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Page 15

Raising awareness VERTEBRATE PESTS of Pierce’s disease ‘Daughterless’ carp Melbourne in grapevines fox populations relatively isolated An American scientist toured grapevine areas Application of gene technology to control of Australia in December to alert growers to the carp, Cyprinus carpio, was the subject of a potential impact of the exotic grapevine risk, recent workshop held at NRE’s Arthur Rylah Pierce’s disease. Dr Phil Phillips, from the Institute (ARI). A “daughterless gene” has been One reason foxes are a concern in urban Mel- University of California, was invited to Australia developed by CSIRO that favours offspring sex bourne is because they would be important vec- under NRE’s Visiting Fellowship Program, to ratios towards males and if spread through a tors of rabies should this devastating disease ever talk to Australian growers about Pierce’s disease target population could lead to fewer females reach Australia. Melbourne’s large fox popula- and the glassy-winged sharpshooter. being produced every generation. The long-term tion, in close proximity to large populations of humans and domestic pets, would make con- Pierce’s disease was first discovered in the goal would be recruitment failure of target carp tainment and control of the disease particularly United States in the 1880’s and it destroyed populations. The gene has been developed by difficult. 40,000 acres of Californian vines in that period. CSIRO over the last five years for zebra fish, Brachydanio rerio, a close relative of carp. Subsequent outbreaks of the disease were spo- To better predict how rabies might spread, a radic until 1997 when it cost Californian grape The workshop was held on 15 February at the sophisticated understanding of the structure of growers in excess $33 million. Pierce’s disease request of the Murray-Darling Basin Commis- the fox population is necessary. To achieve this, is a serious bacterial disease that kills vines.The sion (MDBC) with representatives attending Clive Marks and his colleagues from the Victorian bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, is spread from vine from the MDBC, CSIRO, Marine and Fresh- Institute of Animal Sciences have undertaken to vine by an insect known as the glassy-winged water Research Institute (NRE), the four state long-term studies using mark/recapture sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Hemi- Fisheries agencies within the Basin, as well as techniques, radio-tracking, and genetic analysis ptera: Cicadellidae). The disease has been industry and community stakeholders. Due to of many individuals within discrete fox present in California since the 1880s, but has the long-term and significant resourcing nature subpopulations. Three such subpopulations are recently reached epidemic proportions, due to of the work a strategic approach to the manag- the subject of this paper, Webb Dock (the the introduction of this new vector, an invasive ing the technology is required. NRE will help Melbourne port), Botanic Gardens (South Yarra) insect from the south-east of the USA. Austra- develop a business plan to review the current and Burwood/Camberwell. lia has no record of the Pierce’s disease bacte- status of the technology, monitor its progress rium or the sharpshooter insects. However, we and develop a stepped work plan for the next The maximum dispersal distance found was that do have insects that may be able to transmit the five to seven years. of a Burwood male, which dispersed 6.2 km after bacterium, should it be introduced here. 2 years. Males consistently dispersed further than Dr Phillips is an integrated pest management The workshop identified a number of key females. The city has many obstacles to fox (IPM) adviser for the University of California performance areas under integrated catchment dispersal (road kills for example being common) in Ventura County. He was the first person to management and pest management principles and overall the subpopulations were found to be discover the glassy-winged sharpshooter in and importantly highlighted the need for multi- relatively isolated: there was little evidence of California, on Eucalyptus trees growing in a state agency cooperation and community gene flow between them. The ‘genetic distance’ lemon orchard. Dr Phillips lost his own vine- involvement. Discussion of future research between the Melbourne subpopulations was yard, located in southern California, to Pierce’s needs and possible gaps in the technology actually greater than for much more widely disease. His presentations to Australian grape- facilitated the business plan; an initial step in separated populations in rural Victoria, with the growers and scientists are part of a National evaluating carp biotechnology as a strategic Botanic Gardens subpopulation being more Pierce’s Disease Awareness Program. control option. similar to rural foxes than to its neighbours. This program has also been supported by the Attendees from Freshwater Ecology at ARI These differences have developed since 1943 Grape and Wine Research and Development were John Koehn, Ivor Stuart, Pam Clunie and when foxes were first sighted in inner Melbourne, Corporation, the South Australian Phylloxera Charles Todd. Also present were Ron Thresher but they may break down in the future, if, as Board and Biosecurity Australia. Pierce’s (CSIRO) who developed the technology and happened in London, Melbourne foxes learn to disease awareness guides will be distributed to Ken Fung (PSY Consultants), who is live in densely urbanised areas without large parks growers to enable early reporting of any responsible for business plan development. or similar open spaces. Ultimately the patchiness suspicious symptoms.The consequences of Other workshop attendees were Gary Bickford of Melbourne fox populations, caused by dis- illegally importing grapevines or plant material (MDBC), Keith Bell (K&C Fisheries), John persal barriers, may make containment of rabies in general will be highlighted as part of this Burley and Wayne Fulton (NRE). spread easier than in rural areas. program. Awareness of symptoms and early reporting of the disease are the first critical steps Source: NRE News 18 March 2002 Source: Robinson, N.A. & Marks, C.A. (2001) Genetic structure and dispersal of red foxes (Vulpes towards protecting Australian vineyards. vulpes) in urban Melbourne. Australian Journal of Further reading: Zoology 49, 589-601. For further information contact Jo Luck at NRE Managing the Impacts of Carp by John Koehn, Knoxfield, ph. (03) 9210 9222. 2000. ISBN 0642732019, $29.95 from NRE In- formation Centre. Source: NRE News 10 December 2001 Page 16 Under Control No. 19 March 2002

Zebra mussel dispersal: lessons of the species in the seed bank, both native and environmental weed species that were either for all aquatic organisms exotic, are not present in the immediately sur- grown in gardens or available in nurseries and rounding vegetation. All plants in the vegetation garden centres. This list was derived by screen- Predictions of the geographic spread of intro- were identified from quadrats at the edge of each ing a list of about 3200 plants naturalised in duced species are often limited by a lack of data site, 20-30 m from the edge and 50-60 m from Australia, provided by John Hosking of NSW on their mechanisms of dispersal. Boat users the edge. Soil samples were taken from each Agriculture. were interviewed and boating equipment quadrat and seed germination was assessed from Now, over three years down the track, negotia- inspected at public boat launches on Lake St. sieved samples for 6 months. tions between the nursery industry and govern- Clair (Michigan, USA) to assess the potential ment to adopt a completed strategy and imple- for the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), 252 spp. were present in both the vegetation ment its recommendations are still under way. an invasive bivalve, to be dispersed overland to and the soil seed bank, 23% exotic, but only There is much controversy about which plants inland waters by transient recreational boating 19% (49 spp.) were found in both the seed bank should be listed, with industry arguing in favour activities. The mussel was first detected in the and the vegetation. 84% of quadrats had exotic of the shortest possible list. One reason for this USA at this very site and may have established spp. in the seed bank not present in the vegeta- is the prevalence of nurseries which specialise from ballast water dumped by a ship from the tion and 77% had exotics in the vegetation that in the provision of particular garden thugs. An- Black Sea (Ukraine). It is a small grey striped were not found in the seed bank. 27 of 32 exotic other is that many garden thugs are cheap to freshwater mollusc that covers all hard surfaces, spp. in the seed banks were not found in the produce and sell in high volumes. The high level blocks pipes etc. and is killing all the native vegetation. Exotic species in both seed bank and of interest in what plants should be listed has bivalves in areas of North America that have vegetation were present in greatest numbers near prompted Rod Randall to publish a completely been invaded. the edge of the bushland and dropped to ap- proximately one third to one half at 20-30 m revised garden thugs list, containing 958 spe- Several mechanisms were found to be capable from the edge. The results suggest that it is not cies − over one third of Australia’s naturalised of transporting either larval or adult stages. Lar- the lack of seeds but the lack of suitable flora has a horticultural background. vae were found in all forms of water carried by conditions for germination and establishment The new ‘long list’ results from comparison of boats (in live wells, bilges, bait buckets, and that is largely restricting exotic invasions to the the total introduced flora (including Australian engines) but were estimated to be 40-100 times edges of bushland. Physical disturbance, nutrient native plants) with a global weed dataset of more abundant in live wells than other locations. enrichment or other factors may favour their species recorded as escapees from gardens or Mussel dispersal from these boat launches did establishment in areas further from bushland cultivation anywhere in the world. Species are not occur by direct attachment to boats. Rather margins. listed alphabetically by scientific name. The adults and juveniles were transported primarily Source: King, S.A. & Buckney, R.T. (2001) accepted common name and plant family are on macrophytes (water weeds) entangled on Exotic plants in the soil-stored seed bank of urban given, along with the States/Territories in which boat trailers and less frequently on anchors (5.3% bushland. Australian Journal of Botany 49, 717- the plant is a weed and the noxious declaration and 0.9% of departing boats, respectively). 720. status. Many species are listed as “Sleeper – Combining these data with estimates of survival Escapee OS” – these are naturalised in Austra- in air and reported boater destinations, an lia, have escaped from cultivation elsewhere in estimated maximum of 0.12% of the trailered Garden thugs list the world, but are not yet significant weeds here. boats departing these access sites delivered live The term ‘garden thug’ may have been coined An “Environmental Score” for each species is adult mussels to inland waters solely by by Edward Augustus Bowles in the early 1900s given e.g. XXXSH, where each X, S or H indi- transport on entangled macrophytes. While this in reference to garden plants that were misbe- cates environmental weed status in a State (X), is a small probability, high levels of vector having and creating problems. In February 1999 significant environmental weed status (H) or activity would result in a predicted total of 170 it was resurrected with the publication of the ‘sleeper’ weed status (S). dispersal events to inland waters within the Garden Plants Under the Spotlight (GPUTS) summer season from the primary boat launch report, a draft strategy for invasive garden plants The new list enables gardeners and nurseries to studied. Many other potential vectors remain by the CRC for Weed Management Systems make more informed decisions about what they to be assessed. and the Nursery Industry Association of Aus- grow and will give useful service as an Austra- lia-wide catalogue of potential and actual envi- Source: Johnson, L.E., Ricciardi, A. & Carlton, tralia. The GPUTS report contained a list of J.T. (2001) Overland dispersal of aquatic Australia’s 100 worst garden thugs, put together ronmental weeds. invasive species: a risk assessment of transient by State weed scientists. This list was based on Randall, Rod (2001) Garden thugs, a national list recreational boating. Ecological Applications a much larger one compiled by Rod Randall and of invasive and potentially invasive garden plants. 11(6),1789-1799. circulated by Kate Blood in July 1999, Garden Plant Protection Quarterly 16(4), 138-171, 2001. Thugs in Australia, which contained over 700 Exotic plants in the soil seed bank of Sydney urban bush Under Control available by email A study of 10 urban bushland sites in the Sydney Sandstone Complex has shown that the above- Under Control is available as a PDF file by email. Readers who would like to receive the ground vegetation is a very poor indicator of newsletter as an electronic file should contact the Editor: the contents of the soil seed bank and that most Ian Faithfull Ph. (03) 9785 0111, email: [email protected] Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Page 17 N e w P u b l i c a t i o n s

recommended that a global strategy and mecha- is a threat to health or the environment. Even nism to address the problem be created when there are severe risks, such demonstra- immediately. The Global Invasive Species Pro- tion is often beyond the capability of even rich, gramme (GISP) was established in 1997 to trade-dependent countries like Australia. address the global threat and provide support Unfortunately this document has the feel of a to the implementation of Article 8 of the Con- token palliative offered to the lesser-developed vention on Biological Diversity. The mission of world by the very same rich countries who seek GISP is to conserve biodiversity and sustain to dictate the terms of world trade. As a global human livelihoods by minimising the spread and strategy, it seems a little too tokenistic. Never- impact of IAS. Amongst other things, it aims to theless the booklet is eminently suitable as an build national and regional scientific and tech- intermediate-level reader for politicians and nological capacity to prevent and manage IAS administrators unfamiliar with the problem and problems, to assemble and disseminate the best should be widely circulated and digested. available data on the problem and to prevent and minimise the impact by focusing on key Ian Faithfull pathways of introduction or redistribution. The Global Strategy document is a basic re- source to increase awareness and provide advice on policy formulation. It is directed at the deci- sion-makers whose policies and practices are affecting the movement of species around the world. The Strategy highlights the dimensions A Global Strategy on Invasive of the problem and outlines a framework for a Alien Species global-scale response. The main messages are that action to prevent the spread of IAS is ur- McNeely, J.A., Mooney, H.A., Neville, L.E., gent and must be comprehensive at international Schei, P. & Waage, J.K. (Eds.), 2001, IUCN and national levels; that eradication is difficult Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK, in and expensive but often possible, with a rapid collaboration with the Global Invasive Species response being crucial; and that containment, Programme. A4 size, soft cover, x + 50 pp., suppression and control are secondary options, GBP 10.50, US$15.75. Available from IUCN but often have more benefits than costs. Publications Services Unit, 219c Huntingdon Rd., Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK, ph +44 1223 Chapters cover how IAS affect major sectors of 277894, Fax +44 1223 277175, email: the economy; the sources, pathways and desti- [email protected], url: http:// nations of IAS; the nature of the invasion proc- www.iucn.org/bookstore/index.htm ess; management and policy responses includ- ing prevention, mitigation and legislation; and Invasive alien species (IAS) are an extremely ten strategic responses to mitigate the threats. serious problem throughout the world. The Principles and actions are provided in details Invasive Alien Species: economic costs of IAS in India and the USA for these ten responses: 1. build management A Toolkit of Best Prevention and alone amount to approximately US$130 billion capacity; 2. build research capacity; 3. promote per year. Article 8 of the 1993 Convention on information sharing; 4. develop economic poli- Management Practices Biological Diversity calls on its parties, 178 cies and tools; 5. strengthen regional, national Wittenberg, R. and Cock, M.J.W. (Eds.), 2001 national governments as of 2000, “to prevent and international legal and institutional CAB International, Wallingford, UK, A4 size, the introduction of” and “control or eradicate frameworks; 6. institute a system of environ- soft cover, xii + 228 pp. ISBN 0-85199-569-1. those alien species which threaten ecosystems, mental risk analysis; 7. build public awareness GBP27.50, US$50.00. Available from CABI habitats or species”. A much earlier instrument and engagement; 8. prepare national strategies Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon. OX10 8DE, UK, with global scope, the 1952 International Plant and plans; 9. build the issues into global change phone +44 (0) 1491 83211, Fax +44 (0) 1491 Protection Convention, with 111 governments initiatives; 10. promote international coopera- 833408, email: [email protected] , url: http:// as parties, aims to prevent the spread and tion. There are three pages of key references www.cabi.org or 10 East 40th St, Suite 3203, introduction of plant pests. It has been applied and an annotated list of 45 international and New York, NY, 10016, USA, phone +1 212 481 mainly to crops but is also used to protect native regional legal instruments relating to invasive 7018, fax +1 212 686 7993, email: cabi- flora. In 1996, concern that globalisation was alien species. [email protected] having negative environmental consequences led the UN and the Government of Norway to Expansion of world trade and travel and meas- The Toolkit is directed at those involved in en- convene the first international meeting on IAS ures to ‘free up’ markets are the main driving vironment and biodiversity conservation and in Trondheim, Norway. force behind the increasing severity of the alien management and is intended to have global ap- invasive species problem. Under World Trade plicability. It focuses on islands, where the Participants in the Trondheim Conference con- Organisation rules a trade recipient fearful of impact of invasive alien species is greatest, but cluded that IAS had become one of the most the risk of a particular import is required to provides a diverse set of ideas, instructions, significant threats to biodiversity worldwide and demonstrate scientifically that trade in the item methodological approaches, technical details, Page 18 Under Control No. 19 March 2002 N e w P u b l i c a t i o n s case studies, issue summaries and references ap- Internet Sites of Interest plicable to all areas and which everyone can dip Weeds - A Blueprint for Action (pdf), rats, kiore into. The Toolkit appears to be the product of a CABI organic farming or Pacific rat (Rattus exulans), Banjo frog more globally-representative group of people www.organic-research.com (Limnodynastes dumerilii, believed to have been than the Global Strategy (reviewed above) and deliberately introduced from Australia), boun- has a less patronising feel about it. As a practical CABI Publishing. Subscriptions: organi- ties (why they don’t work), pets (dogs, cats guide and a sourcebook for inspiration, examples sation $927, individual $266. etc. as predators), rainbow lorikeet (another alien and helpful, detailed guidance it should be given Intended as a global central resource for anyone invasive from Australia), wasps (4 alien a high rating and would appear to offer particu- interested in organic farming research. Much of invasives including 1 from Australia), wild lar serviceability for those parts of the world the core material, including 100,000 searchable animal control plans. where there is more limited scientific and ad- abstracts and commissioned research papers, ministrative infrastructure. is available to subscribers only, with compre- hensive coverage from 1973. The free access The main sections covered are the building of Council for Agricultural Science areas provides a calendar of events; conference strategy and policy (developing and supporting and workshop reports, a sample of research and Technology national plans); methods of prevention (sources, papers, lists of on-going and completed http://www.cast-science.org/ intentional and accidental introductions, vectors, research projects; farms (find an organic farm exclusion methods, risk assessment); early CAST is an international consortium of 37 non- near you or add a farm to the list – only 7 farms detection (surveys and other methods, developing profit scientific and professional societies, are listed for Australia); books from CABI Pub- corps of experts, contingency planning); and mainly American. It assembles, interprets, and lishing; newsletter (sign up to receive a monthly assessment and management (prioritisation, communicates science-based information email newsletter); news (only available to securing management resources, management regionally, nationally, and internationally on members or people with a current trial); jobs in strategies and methods, monitoring etc.). Separate food, fibre, agricultural, natural resource, and organic farming and related areas; organic indexes of localities and taxa are provided, along related societal and environmental issues to its education and courses listed by region (hardly with a list of key publications of the Global Invasive stakeholders - legislators, regulators, anything in Oceania); legislation, regulation and Species Program. policymakers, the media, the private sector and standards (Australian link is to the National the public. Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Bridal creeper control with Produce, 2nd Ed., 1998); web links (100s of A new CAST issue paper, “Invasive pest herbicides links including associations, certification, non- species: impacts on agricultural production, G.H. Pritchard (2002) Evaluation of herbicides food products, restaurants, etc.). natural resources and the environment”, provides for the control of the environmental weed policymakers and others with a nine-step guide bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides). to curtail the impact of non-native pests, New Zealand Department of including diseases, insects and animals, the Plant Protection Quarterly 17(1), 17-26. Conservation weeds and pest Comprehensive and detailed report on animals treatments giving high rates of control with www.doc.govt.nz/conservation minimal impact on the native flora. Reports on NRE Information five trails on dense infestations in shaded areas The weed pages include: complete New Zea- Centre of native vegetation at Warrandyte and Point land Department of Conservation National Nepean, Victoria, with repeat treatments after Weed Strategy 102 pp., 787 KB pdf file; Space The NRE Information Centre offers a two years. Effectiveness was measured by counts Invaders – a summary of the plan; South Island wide range of publications, maps and of shoot numbers, visual estimates and harvested Wilding Conifer Strategy by Mike Harding; Fact other items available by mail order. biomass of roots and above-ground parts. Very Sheet pages (also available as pdf) on the fol- These can be accessed by coming into good control was obtained with applications lowing weed spp. with description of the plant the Centre, phone, fax or email. Cus- between the flower bud and green berry stages (including picture), explanation of why it is a tomers can access the Information Cen- (July to October) with application at flowering problem and control methods: banana tre web site and check out the list of (late August) giving best results. The root system passionfruit (Passiflora mollissima), climbing publications available. The web address of bridal creeper is very difficult to kill and asparagus (Asparagus scandens), ivy (Hedera is: www/nre.vic.gov.au/sales/infocntr/ constitutes a high proportion of the biomass of helix), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera index.htm An order form available on plants. The roots contributed 88-94% of the japonica), Mexican daisy (Erigeron the web can be used for web purchas- live biomass of plants in full foliage. After karvinskianus), old man’s beard (Clematis ing or fax orders. treatment, root biomass consistently made up vitalba), pampas grass (Cortaderia spp.), Our rates for postage and handling are over 99% of live plant biomass. The root system Tradescantia, Undaria (Japanese kelp), wild as follows: Maps folded in envelope, was much less affected by treatments than the ginger (Hedychium), wildling pines (Pinus $2.00. Publications, $5.00. Large orders foliage and the effect of treatments on the root radiata, P. contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii). (over $100) $10.00. system was patchy within treatments. The NRE Information Centre greatest reduction in live root weight was 95%. The pest animal pages cover wild horses, 8 Nicholson St (PO Box 500) Provided that control of foliage is high in the mustelids (ferrets, stoats, weasels), pest fish East Melbourne, Vic. 3002 initial treatment, respraying after two years may (freshwater), policy statement on deer control, Phone 03 9637 8325. be the preferable approach. possums, introduced predators, Pests and Under Control No. 19 March 2002 Page 19

Keith Turnbull Research Institute Contacts

Science Director El Bruzzese [email protected] Business Manager Peter Andrew [email protected] Quarantine Manager Jean-Louis Sagliocco [email protected] source of an estimated $137 billion annual Publications Sales Carmen Sporle [email protected] economic burden to the United States and the Facilities and Grounds Chris Roberts [email protected] second leading cause of species endangerment. Extension Support Jack Craw [email protected] Landcare Notes Ian Faithfull [email protected] Approximately 6,000 known insect species, 51 Integrated Pest Management System (IPMS) Jim Backholer [email protected] animal pathogens and 2,000 plant pathogens ‘Under Control’ Newsletter Ian Faithfull [email protected] are recognized as established pests in other Image Library, desktop publishing, KTRI web Les Bould [email protected] countries. Weedbuster program Kate McArthur [email protected] Vertebrate Pest Research (VIAS) Clive Marks [email protected] The issue paper and a resource listing of invasive Invertebrate Pests Greg Lefoe [email protected] species visuals to assist in the identification of Elm Pests and Diseases, European Wasp Greg Lefoe these pests are available online along with Integrated Weed Management CAST’s many other scientific works. Emerging Weeds Kate Blood [email protected] Weeds of Agricultural Ecosystems David McLaren [email protected] The nine-step action guide: Weeds of Natural Ecosystems Patrick Pigott [email protected] Pest Plant Impact Assessment John Weiss [email protected] 1. Implement aggressive public information Linda Iaconis [email protected] programs emphasizing global movement Economic Evaluation Tereso Morfe [email protected] controls. Alligator Weed Lalith Gunasekera [email protected] 2. Adopt balanced, coherent, and realistic Other Aquatic Weeds Lalith Gunasekera Boneseed and Bitou Bush Aline Bruzzese [email protected] approaches to protecting plant, animal and Horehound John Weiss [email protected] environmental resources. Ragwort David McLaren [email protected] 3. Concentrate on the highest-risk pests - and Serrated Tussock, Chilean Needlegrass David McLaren [email protected] Chemical Weed Control Graeme Pritchard [email protected] define them - so that information is readily Herbicide testing facilities Julio Bonilla [email protected] available about host commodities, world regions Aquatic & riparian chemical weed control Nigel Ainsworth [email protected] where these pests are located, and seasonal and Biological Control of Weeds Raelene Kwong [email protected] environmental factors important for their Blackberry Franz Mahr [email protected] introduction and establishment. Boneseed and bitou bush Aline Bruzzese [email protected] 4. Decrease biological uncertainties related to Bridal Creeper, Gorse, Horehound, Thistles Raelene Kwong [email protected] English Broom Kate McArthur [email protected] pests’ present distribution, transit survival, Prickly Pear Raelene Kwong [email protected] establishment, and characteristics of potential Ragwort Troy Gallus [email protected] losses. South American Tussock Grasses David McLaren [email protected] 5. Emphasize voluntary compliance more than St John’s Wort Franz Mahr [email protected] Tutsan Franz Mahr [email protected] enforcement, through an effective information Paterson’s Curse Kerry Roberts [email protected] and education campaign, especially one to decrease risk of introductions through passenger Education Programs baggage and mail services. Environmental Weeds Education Kate Blood [email protected] 6. Encourage private efforts, with the view that Weeds CRC El Bruzzese [email protected] Jack Craw [email protected] protection is a shared responsibility. Kate Blood [email protected] 7. Establish risk standards for proposed Nigel Ainsworth [email protected] introductions, with a scientific basis for the Overseas Staff standard regarding how much risk will be Australian Invasive Acacia in South Africa Robin Adair [email protected] Biocontrol Implementation South Africa Penny Gillespie [email protected] tolerated. Chrysanthemoides biocontrol South Africa Tom Morley [email protected] 8. Maintain and support emergency “strike force” capability, including vigorous NRE - Frankston, KTRI, PO Box 48 Frankston, Vic 3199 investigation of the sources and pathways of Tel (03) 9785 0111 Fax (03) 9785 2007 DX 211791 email: [email protected] infestations of exotic pests and an adequate Internet: http://www.nre.vic.gov.au supply of materials necessary to eradicate high priority pests. If you wish to have your name added to the mailing list for Under Control 9. Develop an active, ongoing process for or to make further enquiries please contact: periodic evaluation and assessment of risks Keith Turnbull Research Institute, PO Box 48, Frankston, Vic, 3199 and regulatory programs, with regular updates Phone (03) 9785 0111 Fax (03) 9785 2007 Email: [email protected] Please let us know if you have changed your address and reassessments in light of new knowledge or no longer wish to receive the newsletter. and events.

Under Control - Pest Plant and Animal Management News is the quarterly publication of Agriculture Victoria - Frankston, Keith Turnbull Research Institute, Department of Natural Resources and Environment.  State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, 2002. Editor: Ian Faithfull. Assistance from Raelene Kwong, Jack Craw and El Bruzzese. Printed by Doran Printing, 46 Industrial Drive, Braeside, Victoria 3195 on 100% recycled paper. POSTAGE Under Control PAID SURFACE FRANKSTON Pest Plant and Animal Management News VIC 3199 No.19 March 2002 MAIL If undeliverable please return to: Keith Turnbull Research Institute PO Box 48 FRANKSTON VIC 3199 AUSTRALIA DX 211791 Print Post Approved PP 320362/00005

INSIDE THIS ISSUE First release of the elm leaf beetle parasitic fly 1 NRE Invasive Species Symposium - Sarah Keel 2 Compliance campaign targets weed inaction 3 Recent weed prosecutions - Sale of Paterson’s curse in hay - Alan McKay 3 Biological suppression of willows in Australia: is it possible? - El Bruzzese & Jean-Louis 4 The Department of Sagliocco Natural Resources Winners Victorian Weedbuster Award - Private Land Category - Janet Truscot and Grant Murray 5 and Environment is a - Kate McArthur supporting participant Bridal creeper - leafhopper and rust establishing - Kerry Roberts & Raelene Kwong 6 in Boneseed’s time just mite be up - Tom Morley 7 the Cooperative Research Centre for Gorse pod moth - new arrival to Australia - Kerry Roberts 8 Horehound clearwing moth survives at Wyperfeld - Ian Faithfull, Jean-Louis Sagliocco and Weed Management 9 Systems John Weiss 10 Weed Watch Warning - Tambookie grass, Hyparrhenia hirta - Ian Faithfull 12 Fire ant eradication program - Ian Faithfull 13 Elm leaf beetle parasitic fly released - Greg Lefoe 15 Raising awareness of Pierce’s disease in grapes 15 ‘Daughterless’ carp 15 Melbourne fox populations relatively isolated 16 Reports and queries 17 New Publications 18 Internet sites of interest 19 KTRI contacts 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 2002