June 1999 Biological control of St John's wort LC0152 with the leaf ISSN 1329-833X Keith Turnbull Research Institute (Frankston)

Common and scientific names Pupae - in globular cells in the soil at up to 5 cm depth. St John’s wort leaf beetles Life cycle (Förster) Females lay eggs on the undersides of leaves or leaf buds (Suffrian) in autumn. C. quadrigemina larvae emerge after about 3 Background weeks and overwinter as larvae. C. hyperici overwinters in the egg stage. Larvae consume the young leaves and buds St John’s wort, perforatum, was introduced in of procumbent autumn and winter growth. Larger larvae the Ovens Valley of Victoria as a medicinal plant in the leave the plant during the day and return to feed at night. 1860s. It spread rapidly and was well established by the When mature, they pupate in the soil at a depth of a few early 1900s. It is a serious weed of improved pastures, centimetres. The pupal stage lasts 2 to 3 weeks and adults roadsides and neglected areas in north east Victoria and is emerge in the spring. Adult beetles defoliate the erect an increasing problem in dry forests and woodlands. In spring plants and enter a resting stage (aestivation or natural areas it is a serious environmental weed which can diapause) under the bark of trees during summer. out-compete other ground storey plants. St John’s wort is a Regionally Prohibited Weed in the Corangamite and Port Phillip West Catchment and Land Protection Regions, and a Regionally Controlled Weed in all other areas of Victoria except Mallee CaLP Region. St John’s wort contains the chemical hypericin which causes weight loss, reduced milk and wool production, reduced reproductive performance and photosensitisation when ingested in large quantitities by stock. Horses and cattle are more susceptible to hypericin poisoning than sheep, with goats being the least susceptible. St John’s wort was one of the first weeds targeted for Figure 1. St John’s wort leaf beetles. biological control. Five species were introduced to Australia from Britain in the early 1930s but only C. hyperici became established. Later four species from France were released including C. quadrigemina. Description Adults - Adults of the two species are very similar in appearance and behaviour and are usually found in mixed species populations. They are black with bronze, dark-blue or purple reflections, 5 to 7 mm long and oval in shape. C. quadrigemina is slightly larger (6.0 to 7.1 mm) than C. hyperici (5.3 to 6.1 mm). Some individuals of C. quadrigemina are distinctly bluish. Eggs - singly or in small clusters on the undersides of Figure 2. Larvae of St John’s wort leaf beetles. leaves or leaf buds. Larvae – Pinkish-grey to orange in colour, with dark Impact heads; found in litter beneath the plant during the day and Beetles eat the leaves and defoliate plants along a front feeding on the plant mainly at night. which expands each year. Larvae attack the winter growth

© State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment 2002 Page 1 Biological control of St John's wort with the chrysolina leaf beetles LC0152 and adults attack the spring growth. After a few years at survive in dense shade. Herbicides and biological control favourable sites the beetles reach densities which are high are the main control options in natural areas. enough to cause complete defoliation. Heavy damage A number of other biocontrol agents are having an impact suppresses flowering and seed production. on St John’s wort. The gall midge, Zeuxidiplosis giardi, was released in 1953. Larval midges burrow into leaf buds which develop into galls. The Hypericum stem aphis, Aphis chloris, was released in 1986-87 and is now well established. Unlike the leaf beetles, it has no preference for sunny areas, however it only stresses the plant during summer. The St John’s wort stunt mite, Aculus hyperici, was first released in 1991 and has high potential for controlling the weed. It has established well and spread widely on the wind. The mite stunts the growth of rosettes and flowering stems, gradually weakens plants and reduces vigour and seed production. Biological control cannot eradicate a weed, it can only reduce the spread and density of infestations. In some cases control is achieved to the level where the weed is no longer of concern and no other control is necessary. More commonly, other methods are still required to achieve the Figure 3. Leaf beetles defoliating St Johns wort. desired level of control, however these need not be used so frequently or intensively. Use of herbicides is not advisable The damage produced by Chrysolina beetles can appear when high numbers of St John’s wort beetles are present spectacular but the impact tends to be sporadic and because partially defoliated plants are unlikely to absorb inconsistent. They can provide effective control in open, enough herbicide to kill them. Biological control should unshaded situations, but without follow-up pasture not be considered the complete answer to a St John’s wort improvement, the weed frequently re-establishes. The problem, but can be used in conjunction with other control beetles are not effective in timbered country as they mate measures in an integrated weed management program. only in sunlight. Further information Releases Please refer to the Landcare Note St John’s Wort. Chrysolina hyperici was released in Victoria from 1930 to For further information on biological control contact: 1934 and had become established by 1939. C. quadrigemina was released in Victoria from 1937 to 1939 Keith Turnbull Research Institute, and was recognised as established in 1942. Over 1 million PO Box 48, Frankston, Victoria, 3199. beetles were released in 1946. New strains of C. Tel (03) 9785 0111 Fax (03) 9785 2007 quadrigemina were released in the 1980s. Acknowledgments Because the two species have low mobility it may be Prepared by Ian Faithfull. Nigel Ainsworth, Raelene worthwhile is to assist their movement by collecting Kwong and Franz Mahr provided comments. Figure 2 batches and transferring them to infestations from which courtesy of CSIRO Entomology. Current biological control they are absent. Larvae or adults can be shaken into a programs for St John’s wort are supported by the bucket or beating tray and transported in large bags. Cooperative Research Centre for Weed Management Harvested should be kept cool and out of direct Systems. sunlight and released as soon as possible. Integrated control Clean areas should be kept free of St John’s wort and managed to prevent reinfestation. Lightly infested areas should be cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent spread. The advice contained in this publication is intended as a source of Extensive areas are best quarantined and tackled as information only. The State of Victoria and its officers do not finances permit. Pasture improvement programs using guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is clovers and superphosphate have been used to control St wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which John’s wort since the 1950s. Rotational grazing of sheep may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. with the stock removed after one week exposure and returned after five weeks can allow infested pastures to be grazed with little effect on the stock. Goats are affected less by St John’s wort toxicity than sheep. Establishment of tree plantations will eliminate the weed which does not

© State of Victoria Department of Natural Resources and Environment 2002 Page 2