Part 2 Landscape protection and restoration 13. Biological control of cat’s claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati) Project dates Field-release and monitoring Field-release and monitoring September 2002 – June 2014 We mass-rear and field-release two No further field-releases of the leaf- biological control agents, the leaf- sucking tingid (C. visenda) were made Project leader sucking tingid (Carvalhotingis visenda) after June 2010. Field-release of the Dr K. Dhileepan and leaf-tying moth (Hypocosmia leaf-tying moth (H. pyrochroma) was Ecosciences Precinct pyrochroma), in partnership with continued until October 2010. Over three Tel: (07) 3255 4449 community groups. We use a simple years, 1272 adult moths, 77 750 mature Email: [email protected] and cost-effective method to mass-rear larvae and 837 pupae have been released the leaf-tying moth by replacing potted across 36 sites in Queensland and New Other staff in 2010–11 plants with field-collected cut foliage South Wales. Field establishment status to allow greater numbers of insects of the moth was not monitored due to Di Taylor and Mariano Treviño to be released in the field. After field- relocation to the Ecosciences Precinct. Objective release we conduct recovery surveys to determine the field establishment status Funding in 2010–11 Achieve biological control of cat’s claw of C. visenda and H. pyrochroma. At • Land Protection Fund ($148 000) creeper using introduced insect species. all release sites, we spend 20 minutes visually examining cat’s claw creeper • Queensland Government (Blueprint Rationale plants and recording the incidence and for the Bush) Cat’s claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis- abundance of C. visenda eggs, nymphs Collaborators cati), an invasive liana native of Central and adults and H. pyrochroma larvae. and South America, is a major weed • Stefan Neser and Anthony King in coastal Queensland and New South Progress in 2010–11 [Agricultural Research Council—Plant Wales, where it poses a significant Protection Research Institute (ARC- threat to biodiversity in riparian and Host-specificity tests PPRI), South Africa] rainforest communities. The plant is We completed host-specificity tests • Dr Tanya Scharaschkin (Queensland a structural parasite and produces of the leaf-mining buprestid beetle University of Technology, Science and stolons and subterranean root tubers. (H. jureceki) in quarantine at the Engineering Faculty) Biological control appears the most Ecosciences Precinct in May 2011. suitable management option for this These tests support previous studies • Local government and community weed. Management objectives focus from South Africa indicating that the groups across south-eastern and on reducing the rate of shoot growth beetle is highly host-specific and does central Queensland to limit the weed’s ability to climb and not pose risk to any non-target plants smother native vegetation, as well as in Australia. Minor exploratory adult More information reducing tuber biomass to minimise the feeding occurred on eight non-target tuber bank. species and oviposition on one non- Key publications target species, but larval development Dhileepan, K, Treviño, M, Bayliss, D, Methods occurred only on M. unguis-cati. Saunders, M, Shortus, M, McCarthy, J, Observations indicate that this is a Snow, EL et al. 2010, ‘Introduction and Host-specificity tests highly damaging insect with two establishment of Carvalhotingis visenda Host-specificity testing is conducted destructive life stages: larvae mine (Hemiptera: Tingidae) as a biological using potted test plants in a within the leaves and adults chew holes control agent for cat’s claw creeper temperature-controlled (22 °C to 27 °C) into leaves. Under laboratory conditions, Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) quarantine insectary. We evaluate the high populations can completely in Australia’, Biological Control potential host range of the leaf-mining defoliate cat’s claw creeper plants. 55(1): 58–62. buprestid beetle (Hylaeogena jureceki) A short generation time, long- Dhileepan, K, Bayliss, D & Treviño, M on the basis of larval survival and living adults and predator-evading 2010, ‘Thermal tolerance and potential development, adult feeding and survival, characteristics suggest that rapid distribution of Carvalhotingis visenda and oviposition preference using choice population growth is likely in the (Hemiptera: Tingidae), a biological and no-choice tests involving 38 plant field. We have applied to the relevant control agent for cat’s claw creeper, species in 12 families. regulatory authorities to release this Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae)’, agent in Australia. Bulletin of Entomological Research 100(2): 159–66. Part 2 Landscape protection and restoration 29 Rafter, MA, Wilson, AJ, Wilmot Raghu, S, Dhileepan, K & Treviño, M Senaratne, KAD & Dhileepan, K 2008, 2006, ‘Response of an invasive liana to ‘Climatic-requirements models of cat’s simulated herbivory: implications for its claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati biological control’, Acta Oecologica (Bignoniaceae) to prioritise areas for 29(3): 335–45. exploration and release of biological Raghu, S, Wilson, JR & Dhileepan, K control agents’, Biological Control 2006, ‘Refining the process of agent 44(2): 169–79. selection through understanding Conrad, KA & Dhileepan, K 2007, ‘Pre- plant demography and plant response release evaluation of the efficacy of the to herbivory’, Australian Journal of leaf-sucking bug Carvalhotingis visenda Entomology 45(4): 308–16. (Heteroptera: Tingidae) as a biological Raghu, S & Dhileepan, K 2005, ‘The control agent for cat’s claw creeper value of simulating herbivory in Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae)’, selecting effective weed biological Biocontrol Science and Technology control agents’, Biological Control 17(3): 303–11. 34(3): 265–73. Dhileepan, K, Snow, EL, Rafter, MA, Dhileepan, K, Treviño, M, Donnelly, GP Treviño, M, McCarthy, J & & Raghu, S 2005, ‘Risk to non-target Senaratne, KADW 2007, ‘The leaf-tying plants from Charidotis auroguttata moth Hypocosmia pyrochroma (Lep., (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera), a potential Pyralidae), a host-specific biological biocontrol agent for cat’s claw creeper control agent for cat’s claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) in Australia’, Biological Control in Australia’, Journal of Applied 32(3): 450–60. Entomology 131(8): 564–8. For further information on this research Dhileepan, K, Treviño, M & Snow, EL project and access to key publications, 2007, ‘Specificity of Carvalhotingis visit the invasive plant and animal science visenda (Hemiptera: Tingidae) as pages on the Biosecurity Queensland a biological control agent for cat’s website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) in Australia’, Biological Control 41(2): 283–90. Raghu, S, Dhileepan, K & Scanlan, JC 2007, ‘Predicting risk and benefit a priori in biological control of invasive plant species: a systems modelling approach’, Ecological Modelling 208(2–4): 247–62. 30 Technical highlights: research projects 2010–11 14. Biological control of Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) Project dates We then seek approval from the relevant Mass-rearing of the insect commenced regulatory authorities to release any immediately within non-quarantine June 2007 – June 2013 suitable agents. Approved agents are then glasshouses at the Ecosciences Precinct. Project leader mass-reared for distribution to climatically The insect was reared most satisfactorily favourable areas. Following release, in these facilities and produced sufficient Dr Bill Palmer we monitor establishment progress and numbers to begin field releases. Ecosciences Precinct evaluate any effects of the agents. Tel: (07) 3255 4469 By June 2011, we had released over 2000 Email: [email protected] Progress in 2010–11 beetles, primarily in the western suburbs of Brisbane. Due to the approaching Other staff in 2010–11 Host-specificity testing of the Madeira winter, this was not an optimal time for vine leaf beetle (Plectonycha correntina) insect survival. However, these releases Wilmot Senaratne, Liz Snow and concluded in late 2009 and showed that will help us gain a better understanding Peter Jones the beetle could use only Madeira vine of the insect’s overwintering capabilities. as a host. The release of P. correntina Objective for the biological control of Madeira We have also provided adult beetles to the New South Wales Government Achieve biological control of Madeira vine was therefore recommended Department of Primary Industries. This vine by introducing and releasing exotic in a report submitted to Australian is to establish a mass-rearing program at insect species or pathogens. regulatory authorities in December 2009. The case for this insect was the the Grafton research station to provide Rationale first to be processed through Biosecurity insects for release in New South Wales. Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) Australia’s new protocols for biological Dr Neser made a further exploratory trip is a South American plant that has control agents. to South America in the hope of finding become an increasingly important In early 2011, both regulatory populations of the leaf beetle Phenrica sp. environmental weed in eastern authorities approved the submissions, or other potential biocontrol agents, Australia. This vigorous perennial and the insect was released from but no insect species was forthcoming. climber or scrambling shrub forms quarantine in April 2011. It would be