8 QGHU&RQWURO Pest Plant and Animal Management News

No.12 April 2000 Agriculture Victoria - Frankston, Keith Turnbull Research Institute

Under Control - Pest Plant and Animal Management News is the quarterly publication of the Keith Turnbull Research Institute, Agriculture Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria, Australia, distributed free of charge to Landcare and Friends groups, local government, NRE catchment management and extension officers and pest management researchers throughout Victoria. The Department of Natural Resources Readers should feel free to circulate and pass on Under Control. Permission is readily and Environment is a granted for articles to be reproduced freely in other publications if the author and supporting participant source are acknowledged. Please contact the Editor and send us a copy (thank you!). in the Cooperative Research Centre for Weed Management Systems CONTENTS Weed Awareness - Community Partnership Program - Raelene Kwong 1 Government crackdown on weed: NRE steps up enforcement activities 2 New alarm on Mexican feather-grass 2 Fungal pathogens of serrated tussock and Chilean needle-grass in South America 3 Controlling Spartina - new tests with leafhoppers - Ian Faithfull 5 Staff Profile - Jack Craw, Team Leader, Extension Support, KTRI 6 Prioritising Victoria’s pest plants - John Weiss 7 Staff Profile - Jean-Louis Sagliocco, Quarantine Manager, KTRI 8 Innovative Council weed projects rewarded 8 Distribution of dock moth in Victoria - Ian Faithfull 9 Distribution and impact of American stipoid grasses Part 6. Plumerillo and Uruguayan rice grass - David McLaren, Val 10 Stasjic & Mark Gardener Weed Watch Warning – Orange hawkweed, Hieracium. aurantiacum 12 Researchers gang up on wasps - Greg Lefoe 14 Reports and Queries 14 Beetles tour hits the road - successful IPM for elms - Greg Lefoe 15 New Publications 16 Events 17 Weed Patch - Internet sites of interest 18 KTRI services 19 KTRI contacts 19 Herbicide modes of action chart (insert)[not included in PDF version]

If you wish to have your name added to the mailing list for Under Control or to make further enquiries please contact: Agriculture Victoria - Frankston, Keith Turnbull Research Institute, PO Box 48, Frankston, Vic, 3199, Australia, Phone (03) 9785 0111, Fax (03) 9785 2007 Email [email protected] Disclaimer The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the chemical products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind, or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Copyright © State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment 2000 Under Cont r o l

Pest Plant and Animal Management News

Number 12 Agriculture Victoria - Frankston, Keith Turnbull Research Institute April 2000

2nd grade Dromana ISSN 1328-2425 Primary School students inspect gorse spider mites at the Mornington Peninsula Schools’ Environment Week, 10 March 2000.

Weed Awareness Community Partnership program

The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has developed spider mite, in the classroom. Students will then release their a new initiative, the Community Partnership Program which mites at suitable gorse infestations, with the assistance of local aims to facilitate community involvement in tackling major community groups. The spider mite is an engrossing educative issues of importance to residents. The control of noxious weeds tool and the mite display at Environment Week attracted the is one of these issues, determined after seventeen ‘Local curiosity of the thousands of children who watched the tiny Action Workshops’ were conducted late last year. mites sucking away on the gorse plant. Weed Awareness is the second Community Partnership This is not the first project on the Mornington Peninsula to Program to be undertaken by the Shire. Its aim is to increase involve schools in the biological control of weeds. Since 1994, community understanding of how weeds threaten recreational students have helped rear the ragwort crown boring moth and areas and urban, agricultural and natural ecosystems of the the cinnabar moth to help control ragwort. Students have also Mornington Peninsula. The Weed Awareness program will reared leaf-feeding beetles for the control of boneseed. focus on gorse (furze), which is of particular concern because it threatens the biodiversity of remnant vegetation along Raelene Kwong roadsides and in bushland areas. Phone: (03) 9785 0111 The Weed Awareness Program was launched in March at the Mornington Peninsula Schools’ Environment Week held at the Briars in Mount Martha. A partner in the Weed Aware- ness Program, BHP Steel (JLA) Pty Ltd, recently met with Shire Mayor David Gibb at one of the worst gorse infesta- tions to sign a Community Partnership Agreement. BHP Steel, based at Hastings, sponsors many environmental projects in the Peninsula and Western Port areas. Gordon Phillips, Com- munity Liaison Officer at BHP Hastings said that BHP was genuinely concerned about the environment. “We work on the Peninsula, but most of BHP’s employees also live on the Peninsula”. Weed Awareness is a school-based program conducted by Eligio Bruzzese (Science Director, KTRI), David Gibb the Keith Turnbull Research Institute and will involve students (Mayor, Mornington Peninsula Shire) and Stephen Clarke (Principal Engineer, BHP) at the signing of the Community rearing a recently introduced biological control agent, the gorse Partnership Agreement, 9 March 2000. Page 2 Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Government New alarm on Mexican crackdown feather grass on weeds Reward for return of purchased plants

The Department has called on the public to Mexican feather grass or Nassella tenuissima NRE help track down and destroy a potentially is native to Argentina, Chile, New Mexico and damaging weed which has been in-advertently Texas and therefore well matched to Australia’s steps-up offered for sale by some nurseries in Victoria. climate. Mexican feather grass, known also as Nassella “Noxious weeds cost Australia in excess of $3.3 enforcement tenuissima, is closely related to serrated tussock, billion dollars every year and this species has the which is widely regarded as the worst pasture potential to severely impact on our natural activities weed in Australia. environment.” Dr McLaren said. Serrated tussock is costing more than $50 million David McLaren a year and causing major damage to sensitive Phone: (03) 9785 0101. A total of 3,400 properties have been in- native grasslands. Mexican feather grass has spected in just three months as part of the Gov- the potential to invade a greater range of land, ernment’s crackdown on landholders who fail and if left unchecked, could spread throughout to control weeds on their properties. This repre- eastern Australia and as far as southern sents a 90% increase in weed enforcement ac- Queensland. tivity compared to the same period last year. Weeds expert Dr David McLaren from KTRI says “When not in flower, Mexican feather grass The Minister for Environment and Conserva- could not be distinguished from serrated tussock, tion, Ms Sherryl Garbutt, has stated that the to which it is closely related,” he said. Bracks Government is committed to an increased focus on weeds. “I am pleased to see that there Mexican feather grass was being sold with the Mexican feather grass seed heads has been a substantial increase in enforcement incorrect label ‘Stipa tenuissima-Ponytails’ at activities compared to the same period last year,” several locations across Melbourne. The Ms Garbutt said on 17 February. A total of 5,600 wholesaler purchased the seed from overseas properties have been inspected since July last in good faith and through the appropriate year by NRE officers. channels, and has been most co-operative in tracking where the plants have been sold. “The enforcement program is aimed at those Officers from NRE moved quickly to notify the Seed of Mexican feather-grass (top) compared who ignore the weed problem on their proper- 13 retailers concerned, with companies removing to serrated tussock (middle) and Chilean ties and so place at risk the considerable efforts the remaining offending plants from sale and needle-grass (bottom). undertaken on adjoining land. Responsible disposing of them. landholders should not have their good works Unfortunately, at least 23 plants have been sold undone by weed infestation from adjoining neigh- of the 116 that were available and the bours,” Ms Garbutt said. Department wants to alert people as to the danger of their purchase. The wholesaler Thirty weed species have been targeted as re- concerned will destroy another 400 plants in his gional priorities since last July, covering a total possession. of 610,000 hectares. During the six-month pe- riod, a total of 7,148 landholder contacts were Dr McLaren says “it’s most unfortunate that made. 1,376 enforcement actions, such as serv- when Mexican feather grass was exported to ing with Land Management Notices and Direc- Australia, the Australian Quarantine and tions (including Landholder Work Agreements) Inspection Service (AQIS) were just declaring were taken. Mexican feather grass as a prohibited species under the name Stipa tenuissima. It would not “The results of the program, which achieved an be allowed into Australia under current AQIS overall 92% compliance by landholders for this laws.” period, demonstrate the benefits of a targeted “We need the public to help us identify the approach to enforcement, “Ms Garbutt said. The Mexican feather grass plant they may have Minister has congratulated NRE staff for their purchased with the label ‘Stipa tenuissima- work in weed enforcement. Ponytail. We are offering a $20 nursery voucher to any people who can return these plants to the Department within a month.” Flowering plant of Mexican feather grass. Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Page 3 Fungal pathogens of serrated tussock and Chilean needle-grass in Argentina

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) causes greater reductions in pasture carrying capacity (up to 97 %) than any other plant in Australia and is an increasingly important weed of conservation areas. Currently, it occupies ca. 1 million ha, but has the potential to invade over 30 million ha. Chilean needle-grass (N. neesiana) has similar potential but is in a much earlier stage of its Australian invasion (McLaren et al., 1998). Biological control could become a management option for these two Weeds of National Significance, although grasses have generally been considered prob- lematic organisms to safely target (Briese and Evans 1998). Grasses largely lack a host-spe- cific insect fauna and are taxonomically diffi- Figure 1. Serrated tussock population with low levels of Puccinia sp. and cult. Grass weeds also pose specificity prob- Ustilago sp. infection at Sierra de la Ventana, Argentina. (Photo: F.Anderson) lems because many related species are critical food crops and essential components of pas- tures and natural vegetation. However grasses do have many coevolved pathogens, in particu- lar rusts and smuts, that can be extremely host- Figure 2. Location specific (Evans, 1991). Several biological con- of Nassella field trol projects involving host specific pathogens sites in Argentina. and grassy weeds are in progress in other parts of the world. Biocontrol using fungi is there- fore the most promising approach for introduced South American tussock grasses in Australia, and some tussock pathogens have already been identified here. A project of the CRC for Weed Management Systems to find and evaluate fungal pathogens for these Nassella species is forging ahead. The project is being lead by Dr David McLaren of KTRI and Dr David Briese of CSIRO. An Australian scientist, Bill Pettit, was appointed in August 1999 to investigate the ecology of and held discussions with various groups involved ties of serrated tussock approach those found in the plants in their native range in Argentina. in Nassella studies. His field inspections brought Australia), and areas where many plants are af- Initial investigations had already been made to light a most striking difference between tus- fected by the tussock smut. The aim is to collect there by Dr Harry Evans of CABI Bioscience. socks in Australia and those in Argentina. Aus- basic data on seed set, soil seed reserves, plant Pettit is working closely with local scientists tralian tussock are extremely hard to uproot while density and cover, and then to use the plots in with plant pathology expertise, contracted from the South American ones, in general, are easily subsequent years for experimental manipulation the Universidad Nacional del Sur at Bahia pulled out. After leaving Melbourne, Evans re- involving pathogens. The data will be compara- Blanca, to investigate the pathogenicity and turned to Argentina to acquaint Pettit with the ble to data collected in New Zealand and Aus- host range of the selected fungi. This work is sites and habitats visited during the earlier sur- tralia and will enable the development of a model being conducted by Dr Freda Anderson under veys, collect diseased samples for evaluation, and describing the population dynamics of serrated the guidance of Professor Rolf Delhey. help develop a work program for Anderson. tussock. The model will be an excellent tool for Anderson has recently completed PhD studies assessing the potential impact of biological con- To date, four fungal species with promising on the mycobiota of indigenous Argentine trol and other management techniques. biocontrol potential have been found, along with plants. a range of other species less easy to evaluate. Evans and colleagues conducted two fungal Studies of the most promising species, the rust Nassella trichotoma pathogen surveys in 1995 and 1996 and dis- and smut found on serrated tussock, have been Puccinia nassellae, Rust covered a relatively rich and unrecorded fun- prioritised. A study has been set up in the Parque Plants infected with this rust show chlorotic gal flora associated with serrated tussock. Provincial Ernesto Tornquist to obtain long-term (yellowed) bands on leaves, sometimes with Evans visited Australia in October 1999, vis- ecological and demographic data. Study sites in- necrotic (dead) centres. Pustules on the leaf ited notable infestations in the Melbourne area clude areas grazed by wild horses (where densi- blades commonly remain unexposed inside Page 4 Under Control No. 12 April 2000 convoluted leaves. It is only when infection is very will determine if Corticium can infect heavy that the ripening spores exert enough Austrostipa spp. pressure to unroll the leaf so that pustules become noticeable. P. nassellae has also been observed Zinzipegasa sp. on Mexican feather-grass, N. tenuissima and has The conspicuous dark fruiting bodies with setae been prioritised for evaluation as a biocontrol have been found on dead leaves of plants at two agent. Three sites have been located at which field sites. This fungus closely resembles Z. the rust appears to be especially damaging, all in argentinensis, the species found infecting N. shaded areas, with neighbouring plants growing trichotoma in Australia (Hussaini et al. 1998), in the sun not as heavily infected. A number of but more detailed studies are needed to confirm plants from each site have been transplanted into the identification. Z. argentinensis is the single pots and transferred to the glasshouse while others species in a recently described Argentinian ge- were marked to follow the development of nus, and is assumed to have arrived in Australia infection during future visits. The glasshouse plants along with its host, but may have already been from the most heavily infected site are dying, as present in Australia on indigenous Austrostipa. are the plants in the field. A hyperparasite, Sphaerellopsis filum, is associated with rust Other pathogen species pustules at all rust sites and appears to be exerting a significant controlling affect on rust populations. Some plants of N. trichotoma at two sites showed deformations of leaves with swollen sections, Anderson has harvested urediniospores from in- covered by a white crust that resembles the fected leaves and artificially inoculated seedlings spermatial stromata formed on grasses by of N. trichotoma from Argentina and Victoria. Figure 5. N. trichotoma population affected Epichloë. A Fusarium sp. has also been isolated Inoculated plants were kept in a controlled envi- by Ustilago sp. at Sierra de la Ventana. from plants showing crown and root rot. A number ronment at 20 º C, and saturated humidity. Fif- Very few plants produced panicles in spring of provisional identifications have been made of teen days later pustules appeared on most of the 1999 at this site.(Photo: F. Anderson) additional species associated mainly with leaf seedlings. Inoculations have also been undertaken spots and localised necrosis rather than with se- containing smut spores before sowing the seeds by spraying a suspension of spores in tapwater. vere symptoms. These include Stagonospora in pots in the glasshouse. The infection is be- Specificity screening experiments are to be set spp., Leptosphaeria sp. and Botryosphaeria sp. lieved to occur at germination. If no other symp- up with a short test list, including 3-4 additional A number of unidentified species have also been toms are produced, results will only be notice- species of Nassella and several Australian na- detected, including dull greyish-green fungal colo- able at the flowering stage, hopefully next spring. tive spear grasses (Austrostipa). If infection oc- nies on plants showing root, crown and flower- Other stipoid grasses infected by Ustilago sp. curs on the latter, then investigations must shift to ing culm rots, and a slime resembling the yellow growing in the vicinity of infected N. trichotoma other fungi. slime of wheat produced by the bacterium plants were collected but still remain to be iden- Clavibacter. Undoubtedly the pathogen list will tified. become considerably larger as the project ad- vances. Corticium sp. This virulent fungus is associated with tussock Nassella neesiana decline and is ubiquitous throughout the sampled The prospects for biocontrol of Chilean needle areas in Argentina. Patches of diseased plants grass appear to be good. Three rust species have show severe die-back and conspicuous white been identified and there is at least one highly mycelial mats on the crown region. It would ap- damaging species consistently associated in Ar- pear that under certain conditions the fungus gentina, Puccinia nassellae, which causes se- Figure 3. Pustules of P. nassellae spreads up the culms from the tussock base, to vere leaf damage. All but one collection of this expanding N. trichotoma leaf margins. produce a greyish-white mat above soil level that (Photo: F.Anderson) rust have been heavily hyperparasited by S. allows for aerial dispersal of the spores to infect filum. Other rusts found on N. neesiana are newly-established tussocks. Ustilago sp., Smut Puccinia aff. avocensis, an heteroecious rust This fungus attacks the inflorescences, replacing The root systems of Argentinian serrated tus- with alternative hosts among the Malvaceae seeds with smutted heads. It does not appear to sock plants are rarely extensive and consist of (mallow family) and P. graminella, collected at be widespread and has been located at two field mainly a few coarse roots, especially when Los Pozos, Córdoba, by Evans and Pettit. sites. Artificial inoculations have been undertaken Corticium is present, whereas those of Austral- by shaking pregerminated seeds in a plastic bag ian plants are well developed, consisting of both fine and coarse roots and commonly extending up to 7-8 cm. The absence of this rot in Aus- tralia may explain the well developed roots of Australian plants and the difficulty of hand-pull- ing them. Diseased plants have been collected from the Argentinian sites and Anderson has ob- served mycelial mats under the microscope, but only vegetative mycelia were present, so a spe- cies identification has not yet been made. The host range of this root rot is wider than previ- Figure 4. Panicles of N. trichotoma replaced ously supposed - infection has also been recorded by Ustilago sp. smutted heads. on N. tenuissima and N. tenuis – how wide it is Figure 6. Rust on Chilean needle-grass (Photo: F.Anderson) remains to be determined. A short feasibility study in Argentina. (Photo: H.Evans) Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Page 5

Fungal pathogens of serrated tussock and Chilean needle-grass in Argentina (continued) Controlling Spartina Conclusion new tests with leafhoppers Additional collecting trips are to be undertaken to obtain a more complete picture of the mycobiota associated with these grasses in Ar- Two species of Spartina cord-grass that oc- gentina and the field and laboratory assessment work will intensify. The Puccinia nassellae rust cupy tidal mudflats and beaches of sheltered bays and the Corticium rot are the only pathogens that and estuaries have naturalised in Victoria and be- appear to be exerting a significant impact on ser- come weeds. Cord-grasses, also known as rice rated tussock populations in Argentina, although grasses, are deep-rooted, rhizomatous perenni- some of the other species may be highly damag- als with flat leaves and erect flowering heads. ing at times. One or more of the rusts on N. They were originally planted deliberately to sta- neesiana may prove to be a suitable agent. How- bilise shorelines and channels and to help reclaim ever high expectations in Australia that the cur- land from the sea. rent project will provide the solution to serrated In areas where cord-grasses are native, they are tussock and Chilean needle-grass problems are Figure 7. Harry Evans of CAB International assessing serrated tussock plants near attacked by a wide range of insects which de- premature. Such optimism is not appropriate un- Melbourne. (Photo: D.McLaren) stroy their flowers, seeds, stems and leaves. less provisional pathogenicity and specificity American researchers have recently demon- screening, currently underway, prove positive. strated that potential Spartina biological control Evans, H. (1999) Report on a consultancy to assesss Serrated tussock and Chilean needle-grass are agents, Prokelisia spp. (Homoptera) from relatively minor components of the flora in Ar- the biocontrol potential of fungal pathogens of serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma). CABI coastal USA are restricted to Spartina and can gentina and not generally weedy, due in part to Bioscience, UK [unpublished]. kill a high proportion of plants. These planthoppers the natural levels of control exerted by patho- Hussaini, I. P., A.C. Lawrie & D.A. McLaren. (1998). were tested on potted plants in a marine labora- genic fungi. If these pathogens are safe for use Fungi in Victoria with biological control potential tory greenhouse. Six months after an average of in Australia and can be imported without their for Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock). Plant 1.7 Prokelisia marginata per pot were released own parasites, we may then have real cause for Protection Quarterly 13, 99-101. in the greenhouse, 93% of plants had been killed. optimism. McLaren, D. A., Stajsic, V. and Gardener, M. R. (1998). A second leafhopper species, P. dolus, killed The distribution and impact of South /North plants equally well. Both species built up their References American stipoid grasses (Poaceae : Stipeae) in Anderson, F.E. (2000) Progress report on investiga- Australia. Plant Protection Quarterly 13, 62-70. numbers per plant to approximately 200 after 9 tions of fungal pathogens of serrated tussock weeks and their feeding greatly reduced biomass (Nassella trichotoma) and Chilean needle grass The Biological Control of Serrated Tussock and Chil- production. (N. neesiana) October 1999 – December 1999. ean Needle Grass program is funded by the Rural In- These insects may be suitable for release on Vic- CERZOS – UNS, Bahia Blanca, Argentina. [un- dustries Research and Development Corporation, published]. DNRE – Catchment and Water, NSW Agriculture, NSW toria’s cord-grass infestations. Townsend’s cord Briese, D. T. and Evans, H. C. (1998) Biological control Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Dept of Land and grass, Spatina X townsendii, a native of Eu- of serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma): is it Water Conservation, Shires of Mulwaree, Yarrowlumla, rope, is a problem in Westernport Bay near worth pursuing ? Plant Protection Quarterly 13, Snowy River, Wingecarribee, Upper Macquarie, Tooradin, Andersons Inlet and Corner Inlet. It 94-97. Cooma-Monaro, Gunning, Bombala, Severn, was first introduced and deliberately planted near Briese, D.T. and McLaren, D.A. (1999) Biological con- Tallaganda and Tumut, Catchment Management Com- Foster to reclaim tidal flats for pasture in the 1920s trol of serrated tussock and Chilean needle grass mittees for Far South Coast, Wollondillee and Upper and 1930s. It is a sterile hybrid also naturalised in - Annual Progress Report to Rural Industries Re- Shoalhaven, the Sydney Catchment Authority and Tasmania and South Australia. Of greater con- search and Development Corporation, Novem- Upper Snowy Landcare. ber. [unpublished] cern is English cord-grass, Spartina anglica, a Evans, H. C. (1991) Biological control of tropical grassy fertile species derived from S. X townsendii by weeds. In F. W. G. Baker & P. J. Terry (eds.), Tropi- Ian Faithfull doubling of the chromosomes. It is known from cal Grassy Weeds, pp. 52-72. CAB International, the Barwon River near Barwon Heads, Wallingford, UK. Andersons Inlet and the sheltered coastlines to the north and north east of Wilsons Promontory, The Paterson’s Curse Management Handbook as well as from Tasmania. The two species are difficult to distinguish but appear to be largely The Ragwort Management Handbook coextensive in Victoria. However English cord- grass is more vigorous and seems to be replac- The Blackberry Management Handbook ing its sterile relative. Both can spread by rooting of detached pieces of rhizome, but English cord- Comprehensive information sources for integrated management of key weeds grass also produces seeds which are dispersed $10 including postage and handling by tides and currents. Special offer - Blackberry Handbook free with every order of Cord-grass rhizomes and roots grow to a depth The Paterson’s Curse Management Handbook of 3 metres and have leaves up to 45 cm long. Orders to Princy Kroon, KTRI Patches of cord-grass accumulate mud and sedi- PO Box 48, Frankston, Vic., 3199. Phone (03) 9785 0111 Fax (03) 9785 2007 ment around them, degrading sandy beaches, Cheques payable to Keith Turnbull Research Institute changing tidal flows and potentially turning inter- tidal areas and estuarine wetlands into dryland. Page 6 Under Control No. 12 April 2000

They grow vigorously and can out-compete na- campaign for the public. Jack also conducted tive algae, seagrasses and plants of tidal mud Staff Profile research on herbicide control of blackberry, privet, flats and salt marshes. Mudflats are very impor- wild ginger (Hedychium spp.), gorse, ragwort, tant habitats for marine invertebrates (crabs, mol- Jack Craw thistles, lantana, woolly nightshade (Solanum luscs, worms, etc.) which in turn make them mauritianum), Manchurian rice grass (Zizania vitally important feeding areas for fish and birds, Team Leader, latifolia), spartina, and a range of other pasture especially the migratory waders like curlews, and forest weeds. godwits and sandpipers. Introduction and spread of Spartina in listed as a potentially threatening Extension Support, Jack has written various books, booklets, bro- process under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna chures, a CDROM, etc. Poisonous Plants and Guarantee Act 1988.The alterations to coastal AV-Frankston, KTRI Fungi in New Zealand was produced in 1995. drainage patterns caused by spartina have a po- The Good Plant Guide (1996), is a pocket-sized tentially serious impact on recreation and tourist booklet listing benign species (non-invasive, not facilities such as beaches, boat ramps and jetties poisonous, etc.) for gardens, intended for use by and could disrupt aquaculture operations. There home gardeners when purchasing plants from are very large areas of coastal Victoria that are nurseries. He wrote NRC Pest Facts pamphlets suitable for Spartina but have not yet been colo- for ragwort, lantana, Bathurst burr, wild ginger, nised. Repeated attempts have already been Manchurian rice grass alligator weed, privet, nod- made to control Victorian infestations by herbi- ding thistle and woolly nightshade. Other pam- cide application, digging and cooking by phlets covered management of aquatic weeds in solarisation under plastic sheets, with some suc- dams and watercourses, Landcare organisation, cess. “The Dirty Dozen” invasive weeds, Rivercare groups, etc. He recently completed a contract Samples of Victorian Spartina have been sent with the NZ Department of Conservation to pro- to Don Strong of theBodega Marine Laboratory, duce Weed Manager, the national environmen- University of California, for preliminary tests with tal weed manual, in CD-ROM/book format. the Prokelisia leafhoppers. Strong will be visit- ing Tasmania and Victoria in June to discuss the Jack was Ministerial appointee to the Northland results. Conservation Board and formerly National Presi- dent of the Institute of Noxious Plants Officers References (now the New Zealand Biosecurity Institute). Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tas- mania (1998) Spartina anglica, rice grass, com- Outside of work he is a keen conservationist (ex Jack Craw from New Zealand has joined ing to an estuary near you. WeedScene 9(3), 14. branch chairman of Royal Forest & Bird Pro- Crouch, A. (1997) San Remo spartina smothering saga. Keith Turnbull Research Institute as Leader of tection Society, ex chair of The Friends of Lime- Flora and Fauna News (DNRE) No. 6, p. 7. Extension Support Team, responsible for stone Island Society), involved with cricket (ex Pritchard, G.H. (1996) Control of Spartina with coordinating weed extension and information first class umpire) and rugby (as a mediocre fluazifop-p and clethodim. Pp. 446-449, Proceed- around the State. Jack has left the Northland player). He is also rabidly keen on blues and jazz ings Eleventh Australian Weeds Conference, Regional Council (NRC) at Whangarei (played in 2 bands and a terrific muso, organised Melbourne. Weed Science Society of Victoria. (pronounced Fong-are-ray!) where he was Team several festivals), South Australian red wines and Rash, J. A., Williamson, R.C. and Taylor, S.J. (Eds.) Leader Pest Plants (and before this Biosecurity (1996) Proceedings of the Australasian Confer- Steinlager. Officer) for 9 years and was actively involved in ence on Spartina Control. Department of Con- Jack is aged 47, married to Ros and has 2 chil- servation and Natural Resources, Yarram. weed management, strategies and extension, Walsh, N.G. (1994) Poaceae. Pp. 356-627 in Walsh, N.G. including a national education campaign and dren (Tim 14 and Georgina 11). He has a wealth and Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria. Vol 2. Ferns eventual ban of a large number of weeds from of experience and will be a very valuable addi- and Allied Plants, Conifers and sale in nurseries. Prior to this he was a Noxious tion to the Victorian effort on better weed man- Monocotyledons. Inkata Press, Melbourne. Plants Officer with New Zealand local agement. Wu, M., Hacker, S., Ayres, D. and Strong, D.R. (1999) government for 11 years. Potential of Prokelisia spp. as biological control Contact Jack by phone on (03) 9785 0177 or agents of English cordgrass, Spartina anglica. Jack wrote all the pest plant strategies for the email [email protected] Biological Control 16, 267-273. NRC, managed a section of five staff and developed all extension strategies. Biological Ian Faithfull control was an integral part of the job (funding Bibliography and monitoring, not research), and he managed 2000. Weed Manager. National Environmental a the release of about 15 agents (for gorse, broom, Weeds Manual. New Zealand Department alligator weed, mistflower and ragwort) and of Conservation. CD-ROM and book. Desk top publishing monitored their progress. 1996. The Good Plant Guide. Northland Re- from concept to print He created and implemented the strategy that gional Council, Whangarei, ISBN 0 909006 Brochures, booklets, posters & other led to a national ban on the sale and distribution 30 X, 30 pp. weeds extension materials. of 130 plant taxa considered to be a threat to 1995. Poisonous Plants and Fungi in New Zealand. A Guide for Parents, Schools Competitive prices, quality graphic design, agriculture and the environment. Jack also accurate information. designed and administered a range of other and Child Minders. Northland Regional Contact Les Bould at KTRI strategic campaigns, including aquatic weed Council, Whangarei, ISBN 0 909006 27 X, phone (03) 9785 0128 prevention, involving drainage contractors, eel 88 pp. [email protected] fishermen and boaties; crop weed prevention, a involving machinery operators; “Ginger Out Week” and the “Dirty Dozen” invasive weeds Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Page 7 Prioritising Victoria’s pest plants

To make informed decisions about funding allocations for weed control on public and agri- cultural land, it is necessary that the relative im- portance and potential impact of each weed be determined. The importance of individual weeds in our environment needs to be understood, oth- erwise decisions may based on emotion or false, unscientific reasoning. Victoria’s Pest Plant As- sessment Project establishes a procedure to as- sess and prioritise any plant on its intrinsic ability to invade suitable ecosystems and its present and potential impacts on social, environmental or ag- Figure 2. Present and potential distribution of serrated tussock in Victoria. ricultural land use. The Invasiveness Assessment component profile has to be determined. Typically, the pro- There are two main factors in determining the of Victoria’s Pest Plant Assessment determines file is based on the locations where it is known importance of a pest plant: the invasiveness of a pest plant by investigating to occur naturally (in Australia and overseas). A · Its biological “weedy” properties. its germination, establishment, reproduction and climate matching program uses temperature and · Non biological or abiotic factors such as is- dispersal properties. These characteristics are rainfall data from a set of geographical locations sues of managing the weed. scored utilising the Analytical Hierarchical to construct a climate profile which is used to The three major biological properties required in Process, which enables particular criteria or indicate similar climatic regions in Victoria. This a decision support system to predict a plant’s weed features to be weighted or scored higher than is then overlayed on suitable land uses, broad status are: others. These weightings were determined at vegetation types, soil structure, pH, and canopy · An indication of its invasiveness. workshop sessions in 1998 involving weed experts cover to determine potential distribution in Vic- · Its current and potential distribution. from around Australia. A plant’s invasiveness toria. The maps produced by the Pest Plant As- · The current and potential impacts of the plant assessment score is a prediction about how sessment indicate the more suitable climatic, land on land use and ecosystems. quickly it will spread from its present to its full use and natural ecosystems where the weed potential distribution. Weeds with low rates of could occur in Victoria (see Fig. 2). spread generally remain unimportant and MANAGEMENT PEST PLANT Investment evaluation approach restricted to specific areas. ISSUES and The economic evaluation of investment in weed Economics of ASSESSMENT Control Present and potential distribution management strategies involves utilising the rate Having confirmed a species as highly invasive of spread of the weed and its present and the next step is to determine its potential distribu- potential distribution. Any decision to invest INVASIVENESS PRESENT AND tion. A wider distribution of a weed means a depends upon the benefits accrued over time by POTENTIAL IMPACT greater total impact. Knowledge of potential dis- controlling and reducing spread. If a weed is left tribution is also important for devising manage- to expand without control measures, the plant Fig. 1. Components of pest plant assessment. ment programs. Landholders can be alerted to will reach its full distribution at a rate determined by its invasive properties. If government The decision making process should also include the risk of weed invasion and measures can be intervenes and prevents spread by utilising issues such as: taken to prevent the introduction of weed awareness, compliance and control programs, the · The value of threatened ecosystems propagules into areas at risk. Low priority can be plant will be controlled and possibly eradicated. · The feasibility of successful control given to areas where the weed might fail to per- The predicted benefits accrued by government · The present and potential control costs sist or have little impact or importance. The three major factors influencing weed distribution are intervention in preventing the spread of the weed The three completed components of Victoria’s climate, soil properties and land use. are indicated by the shaded area (Fig. 3). The Pest Plant Assessment process are assessment return on government investment is predicted by Climate limits distribution according to how sea- for invasive potential, present and potential dis- comparision of the cost of these management sonal temperature and moisture variation affect tribution and the economic evaluation of govern- programs with the benefits accrued over time. ment investment. the weed’s life cycle. To determine where a weed will disperse to in Victoria, its potential climate John Weiss Assessment for invasive potential Most weed assessments have focused on the relative invasiveness of species, as an indicator Fig. 3. of potential spread rate. Invasiveness can be de- Economic fined as the ability to establish, reproduce, and evaluation of disperse within an ecosystem. Plant propagules investment in weed manage- arrive at a new site with certain inherent charac- ment. Early teristics, which previously enabled their success- government ful survival and continued reproduction at their investment in original site. There is no single suite of charac- weed control teristics which make a plant invasive, rather there reduces the are several predisposing factors which act either area of alone or together to increase the chance of a plant infestation. becoming invasive. Page 8 Under Control No. 12 April 2000

Staff Profile invertebrates of agricultural importance in Selected Publications and Reports Australia or invading Australian natural 2000. The insect fauna associated with horehound ecosystems. The Montpellier unit specialised in (Marrubium vulgare L.) in western Mediterranean Jean-Louis Sagliocco the search for natural enemies of these pests. Europe and Morocco: potential for biological control Quarantine Manager During his twenty years with CSIRO Jean-Louis in Australia. Plant Protection Quarterly, 15(1), 21-25 worked, at the European end, on several research 2000. A comparison between European and Austral- projects on agricultural and environmental weeds ian populations of horehound (Marrubium vulgare L.). Plant Protection Quarterly, 15(1), 18-20 (with J. and pest insects for temperate Australia, Weiss) searching for and studying the insect fauna and 1996. Biocontrol of Horehound (Marrubium vulgare pathogens of these organisms as potential L.) Work in Europe 1991-96, Final Report. biological control agents. He took part in research 1995. Biology and host-specificity of Chamaesphecia projects on ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), St mysiniformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), a potential bio- John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), thistles logical control agent of Marrubium vulgare (Carduus nutans, C. pycnocephalus, C. (Lamiaceae) in Australia. Biocontrol Science and Tech- tenuiflorus) and wild radish (Raphanus nology, 5, 509-515 (with J. Coupland) raphanistrum) and on pest insect projects, 1995. Below-ground herbivory in Carduus nutans including a study of the parasites of the green (Asteraceae) and the potential for biological control. vegetable bug, (Nezara viridula). Biocontrol Science and Technology, 5, 261-270 (with A.W. Sheppard, J.P. Aeschlimann and J. Vitou) Jean-Louis collected and reared many biocontrol 1994. Horehound, Marrubium vulgare, - A global per- organisms later released in Australia. He worked spective. Proceedings of the Fourth Biennial Pro- with Dr John Scott and Paul Yeoh of CSIRO’s claimed Animal and Plant State Conference, Ad- Centre for Mediterranean Agricultural Research elaide, South Australian Animal and Plant control Commission. Cooke, D.A. (Ed.) p.39-43 (with J. Weiss) on spiny emex (Emex australis) and assisted Dr Jean-Louis Sagliocco has recently left France 1991. Host-specificity of a root-borer, Bembecia Scott as technical officer in the dock (Rumex chrysidiformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), a potential to join the Biocontrol Services Team at the Keith pulcher) biocontrol program in the early 1980s. Turnbull Research Institute. Jean-Louis is the new control agent for Rumex spp. (Polygonaceae) in Aus- In the 1990s he worked with John Weiss and tralia. Entomophaga, 36 (2) 235-244 (with J.K. Scott) Quarantine Manager and is responsible for look- Emma Wills on the horehound project. He was ing after the research facilities involved in 1991. Chamaesphecia doryliformis (Lepidoptera: also involved in the preliminary research on Sesiidae), a second root borer for the control of Rumex biocontrol agent importation, testing and produc- biocontrol insects for cut-leaf mignonette spp. (Polygonaceae) in Australia. Entomophaga, 36 tion. His new role will be focused on administra- (Reseda lutea). In his work he travelled in (2) 245-251 (with J.K. Scott) tive and technical aspects of the research projects southern Europe and north Africa collecting and 1991. Natural enemies and population stability of the undertaken in the KTRI Quarantine facility. studying insects. Jean-Louis is particularly winter-annual Carduus pycnocephalus L. in Mediter- interested in insect biology and mass-rearing. He ranean Europe. Acta Oecologica, 12 (6), 707-726 (with Jean-Louis previously worked as technical and A.S. Sheppard, J.P. Aeschlimann and J. Vitou) has a diploma in natural history curatorship, is a quarantine officer with the European Laboratory, 1989. Biology and host specificity of Pegomya solennis keen scuba diver and enjoys fishing. CSIRO Division of Entomology, at Montpellier in (Diptera, Anthomyiidae), a possible biological con- southern France. The main activity of the Contact Jean-Louis by phone on 03 975 0164 or trol agent for Rumex spp. in Australia. Acta European Laboratory is focused on studying the email [email protected] Oecologica, Oecologia Applicata, 1989, 10 (2) 157- ecology of European weeds and pest 163 (with J.K. Scott)

weeds. “Over the last few years Councils have weed control program for priority weeds. Innovative been considering ways that they can assist their Melton Shire Council. ($41,600). Rural Rebate communities to deal more adequately with Performance Mapping which includes linking weeds. This funding will help Councils to put their weed data to individual property information, con- Council Weed plans into place,” Ms Garbutt said. “These tinuation of mapping data for five priority weeds projects address priority issues that have also and relating this information to remnant native Projects been identified by the State Government. They vegetation and waterways. will contribute substantially to the eradication of South Gippsland Shire. ($14,585). Roadside Weed alligator weed, improve serrated tussock man- Abatement Scheme aimed at reducing the im- agement in their municipality and continue part- pact of weeds on agricultural and biodiversity Rewarded nerships in roadside weed control. Hopefully, the values, recording and mapping progress. ideas that have been put forward so far will be Surf Coast Shire. ($20,000). Implementing plan- adopted as models by other local councils”. ning controls through the development of pest A range of innovative weed control projects Details of the projects which have recently been plant overlay controls targeting serrated tussock, proposed by local government bodies has been granted funding are: and continuing community awareness. rewarded with State Government funding, the Min- City of Casey. ($3,500). Aquatic Weed Wyndham City Council. ($20,750). Local weed ister for Environment and Conservation, Ms Community Action Group, which has the goal of mapping program to support extension and en- Sherryl Garbutt, announced on February 22. Six eradicating alligator weed within the city through forcement activities on serrated tussock and councils will share total funding of $121,435 un- community awareness, monitoring previously Chilean needle-grass. der a program to develop working partnerships treated sites and eradicating new infestations. on weeds. City of Greater Geelong. ($21,000). Employment For further information about successful Ms Garbutt said the Government was keen to of a facilitator to continue work on the Bellarine applicants and details of their projects, contact encourage local government to work with their Peninsula on weed mapping, promoting whole David McKenzie, NRE Pest Plants and Animals communities to tackle the problems caused by farm planning and implementation of a roadsides Program (03) 9637 8390. Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Page 9 Distribution of dock moth in Victoria

In August 1996 Meat Research Corporation (now Meat and Livestock Australia) reached agreement with KTRI to distribute the dock Dock moth release clearwing moth Syansphecia (previously area in an extensive Chamaesphecia) doryliformis in Victoria for infestation of Rumex biological control of large-rooted docks (Rumex conglomeratus near species). Docks are found in pastures almost Heywood. The throughout the State with many pastures carry- infestation, which ing extremely heavy infestations. Larvae of the includes other dock moth feed on the taproot and often kill plants. species, extends for several kilometres The project funding was for three years. Finance along the Fitzroy River. from the MRC and the WA Government had pre- (Photo: Ian Faithfull) viously enabled the importation, host-specificity testing and mass-rearing of this agent during the 1980s and early 1990s and intensive distribution in the eastern States was now required. Releases closely approximated what would happen in na- inoculating all plants large enough to carry eggs of the moth had first been made in 1989 in West- ture. It also greatly increased the speed and effi- sticks. Sticks were inserted into the cut stalks of ern Australia. ciency at which infestations could be inoculated. the plants, or in a few cases into the crown, one The egg stick method first used in Victoria by stick per plant. The agent had initially been released in Victoria the St Helens Shelterbelters Landcare group from as newly hatched larvae by officers of the Victo- 1994 to 1996 at several sites in the St Helens Under the Project, 24 nursery sites were inocu- rian Department of Agriculture from January 1991 area of south-west Victoria. The Shelterbelters lated with KTRI involvement from October 1996 to 1993 at six sites, and at one site by a landholder made further releases in November 1996, and to February 1997. From November 1997 to Feb- using material supplied by New South Wales from December 1996 Agriculture Western Aus- ruary 1998 releases were made at six new sites Agriculture. The release method was slow and tralia also supplied boxes containing ‘combs’ of in Victoria, and re-releases were made at two tedious, involving the placement of several of the egg sticks directly to Victorian landholders. sites previously inoculated. Releases were made tiny larvae on the base of the plant stalk using a at 5 new sites from November 1998 to January fine paintbrush. Agriculture Western Australia Under the MRC project KTRI initially 1999, with re-releases at 3 sites. Many additional improved the techniques for mass production of investigated the seven 1991-93 release sites and sites were inoculated by landowners after direct eggs and developed a machine to glue eggs to found no evidence of continued dock moth contact with Agriculture Western Australia and stout toothpicks, which could then be inserted into survival at any of them. Landowners, Landcare with no on-the-ground KTRI involvement, in par- the cut stalks of dock plants. Female moths ovi- groups and other land managers including NRE ticular in 1998-99. A total of 102 releases were posit on dock stalks, so the new system more catchment management staff identified potential made in Victoria from 1991 to 1999, the great new sites. These were screened to ensure that majority or which (84 releases) occurred from the valuable eggs were released only on the more 1996 onwards. Release sites were distributed severe infestations that were most suitable for widely around the state, in a range of climatic establishment of the agent. areas both north and south of the Divide and in irrigated and dryland pastures. Boxes of egg sticks air-freighted from Ag WA’s Perth facility were used to inoculate nursery sites 75% of inoculations in which there was KTRI around the State. Site preparation varied involvement were successful in 1996-97, 57% in depending on the condition of the plants. Sites 1997-98 and 75% in 1998-99 (Table 1). At the were fenced pre- or post-release, or were located conclusion of the Project in June 1999, dispersal in fenced plantations or otherwise protected from over short distances has been detected at half grazing. Plants at some sites were mown or the sites at which agent populations were known slashed with a brushcutter or cut by hand with to be present, but the status of the agent was secateurs or shears, or were inoculated after uncertain at about 25% of sites. haymaking. At most sites, aisles roughly 1 m wide were marked out with pegs and coloured string and people worked backwards along the aisles, Continued on page 16

Table 1. Proportion of dock moth inoculations which produced surviving or increasing (dispersing) populations. % success = (surviving + dispesing) / (total + uncertain)

1RÃRIÃLQRFXODWLRQV ([WLQFW 6XUYLYLQJ 'LVSHUVLQJ 8QFHUWDLQ 7RWDO ÈÃVXFFHVV       Larva, pupa and adult of the dock moth     (Photos: Roselia Fogliani, Agriculture Western Australia) 7RWDO  Page 10 Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Distribution and impact of American stipoid grasses Part 6. Plumerillo and Uruguayan Rice Grass

Several American stipoid grass species with the seed) being less than half as long as the dark basaltic clay (Walsh 1994). The potential severe or potentially severe agricultural and lemma, and the awn not readily detaching from distribution in Australia has been estimated at 0.6 environmental impact have been introduced into the lemma at maturity. million hectares, with only a relatively small area Australia. Eleven exotic species, in the genera of Victoria at risk (Fig. 2). Achnatherum, Jarava, Nassella, Plumerillo is reportedly of little fodder value and Piptochaetium and Piptatherum, are naturalised. its seed is irritable to stock (Rosengurtt et al. These grasses can easily be overlooked as weeds 1970). It has been recorded in Catalonia, Spain due to their resemblance to the indigenous stipoids (Fornell and De Blas 1985) and also at Berkeley, and other native grasses. California in 1983, but has not persisted The introduction and proliferation of exotic (Barkworth 1993). The worst of them to date are serrated tussock, stipoid grasses over the past 100 years has had Nassella trichotoma, and Chilean needle grass, Plumerillo was first introduced to Australia as a disastrous consequences for Australian N. neesiana, recently classed as weeds of potential pasture plant by the Waite Agricultural agriculture and natural ecosystems. The measures national significance (see Under Control Nos.7 Research Institute, South Australia, probably in taken to address these problems are diverse. The and 8). Two species that have not yet had a major the early 1940s and the first herbarium record is current approach involves import bans to prevent impact, lobed needle grass, N. charruana, and from a cultivated glasshouse specimen on 10 new species entering the country, the genesis of short spined needle grass, N. megapotamia, were January 1941 (Gardner et al. 1996). The species a weed alert system to enable emergency examined in Under Control No.9, and two other has established itself periodically between 1968 responses to new weeds, research on integrated lesser known species, cane needle grass, N. and 1995 but it was not recorded as naturalised management (Michalk et al. 1999), and the hyalina, and Texas needle grass, N. leucotricha, as it was confined to the Arboretum where initiation of a biological control program against in Under Control No. 10. The two naturalised infestations were grubbed out. However in 1994 serrated tussock and Chilean needle grass (Briese espartillos, Achnatherum species, were treated a population was discovered at South Parklands, et al. 1999). New stipoids such as Mexican in Under Control No. 11. The coverage is bordering Adelaide, which has also been grubbed feather grass, Nassella tenuissima, introduced completed in this issue with an examination of out (Gardner et al. 1996). Eradication has proven by the nursery industry, are being targeted for plumerillo, Jarava plumosa (Sprengel) S.W.L. difficult. At the Waite Arboretum it grows on eradication before they become naturalised Jacobs & J. Everett (synonym Stipa papposa Urrbrae fine sandy loam (Gardner 1990). Using (McLaren et al. 1999). Readers should refer to Nees) and Uruguayan rice grass, Piptochaetium CLIMATE, the potential distribution of J. Walsh (1994, 1998) to identify suspect plants. montevidense (Sprengel) Parodi. plumosa has been estimated at 1.8 million ha, Flowering specimens of species new to an area with a substantial area of South Australia and should be collected and forwarded to the The eleventh introduced species, rice millet, Western Australia at risk (Fig. 1). Herbarium of Victoria, Birdwood Avenue, South Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Cosson (= Yarra, 3141, to obtain expert identification. It is Oryzopsis miliacea (L.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex vital that new species in an area be identified Asch. & Schweinf.), is a tufted perennial to about Uruguayan Ricegrass, Piptochaetium before their populations become too large to 1 m high with a loose, open, many-branched montevidense extirpate. flowering head containing hundreds of spikelets, This is a poorly known species, with little or no each of which is 4-5 mm long including a deciduous information available on its ecology in Australia. 3-4 mm long, straight awn (Jessop 1970, Burbidge It is a small, perennial, indigenous to Argentina, Acknowledgements 1970). Rice millet was once regarded as a Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Paul Pheloung (climate assistance); Jim potentially useful drought-resistant pasture species Chile (Roig 1978) that forms dense tussocks to Backholer (preparation of maps in ARCVIEW); but tends to die out readily and produce minimal about 0.5 m high and has flowering heads about Ian McGowan, Christion Goninon, Phillip feed if neglected (Burbidge 1970). It is as long as the leaves (Walsh 1994). Wierzbowski, Geoff Carr and J.P. Gardner naturalised in all States except Queensland, is Piptochaetium can be distinguished from all the (supply of infestation data); and staff of probably not a threat to natural plant communities, other stipoid genera in Australia by the presence herbariums around Australia (data). and in Victoria appears to be confined to areas of a palea that is longer than the lemma and has near settlements (Walsh 1994). a distinctly central, longitudinal groove, and an References awn that readily detaches from the lemma at Barkworth, M.E. (1993). North American Stipeae maturity. Its flower has a lemma almost as wide Plumerillo, Jarava plumosa (Gramineae): Taxonomic changes and other as it is long and an awn about 1 cm long (Walsh comments. Phytologia 74,1-25. This species is indigenous to southern Brazil, 1998). In Argentina P montevidense is Uruguay, Argentina and Chile (Roig 1978). Its Briese, D.T., McLaren, D.A., Pettit, W., Zapater, uncommon and produces many seeds. Its fodder M., Anderson, F., Delhey, R. and Distel, R. seed has an apical pappus and is the only exotic value for stock is unknown, but the seeds cause stipoid species in Australia that has seed adapted (1999) New biological control initiatives no problems to stock and have low weed potential against weeds of South American origin in for wind dispersal (Jacobs and Everett 1997). The (M Gardener personal observation). pappus consists of copious spreading hairs, 4-8 Australia: Nassella tussock grasses and blue mm long, on the apical 1.5-2 mm of the lemma This grass was first recorded in 1988 from heliotrope. P. 242 in A.C.Bishop, M.Boersma (the lower and outer of the two bracts surrounding Cherry Lake, Altona, Victoria (G.Carr personal and C.D.Barnes (Eds.) 12th Australian the seed) at the base of the awn (Walsh 1998). communication) and it is uncertain whether it is Weeds Conference Papers and Jarava can be distinguished from other stipoid still extant. Its impact as an agricultural or Proceedings. Devonport, Tasmanian Weed genera in Australia by this character and by the environmental weed is unknown. At Altona it Society. palea (the upper of the two bracts surrounding formed a dense sward with kangaroo grass on Burbidge, N.T. (1970) Australian Grasses Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Page 11

Volume 3. Angus and Robertson, Sydney. Fornell, T.C.I. and De Blas, A.F.I. (1985) Stipa papposa Nees, Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees I Chenopodium pumilio R.Br.: tres especies exotiques noves per a Calaunya. Collect. Bot. Barc.Bot.Insti. Ed. 16, 161-164. Gardner, J.P. (1990) The Waite Arboretum – A Guide and Catalogue of Trees. University of Adelaide. Gardner, J.P., Jessop, J.P. and Symon, D.E. (1996) Figure 1. Actual distribution of Jarava plumosa (left) and potential distribution (right). The escape of Stipa papposa. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens 17: 173-176. Jacobs, S.W.L. and Everett, J. (1997) Jarava ÃÈÃFKDQFHÃRIÃHVWDEOLVKLQJÃZLWKLQÃWKLVÃDUHD plumosa (Gramineae), a new combination ÃÈÃFKDQFH ÃÈÃFKDQFH for the species formerly known as Stipa ÃÈÃFKDQFH papposa. Telopea 7, 301-302. Jessop, J.P. (1970) Family Gramineae (Poaceae). Flora of South Australia Part IV. Alismataceae-Ochidaceae. South Austral- ian Government Printer. McLaren, D.A., Stasjic, V. and Gardener, M. (1998). The distribution and impact of south/ north American stipoid grasses (Poaceae: Stipeae) in Australia. Plant Protection Quarterly 13(2), 62-70. McLaren, D.A., Whattam, M., Blood, K., Stajsic, V. and Hore, R. (1999) Mexican feather Figure 2. Actual distribution of Piptochaetium monevidense (left) and potential distribution (right). grass (Nassella tenuissima) a potential disaster for Australia. Pp. 658-662 in A.C.Bishop, M.Boersma and C.D.Barnes (Eds.) 12th Australian Weeds Conference Landcare Notes and Agnotes on Exotic Papers and Proceedings. Devonport, Stipoid Grasses Tasmanian Weed Society. Available on the NRE web site or through Under Control Michalk, D., Kemp, D., Campbell, M. and your local NRE office. McLaren, D. (1999) Control of serrated · Agriculture Note: Serrated tussock control available by email tussock – problems in developing IWM AG0391 systems. Pp. 20-24 in A.C.Bishop, · Landcare Note: Serrated tussock PP0005 Under Control is available as a PDF file M.Boersma and C.D.Barnes (Eds.) 12th · Landcare Note: Chilean needle grass by email. Readers who would like to Australian Weeds Conference Papers and identification PP0086 receive the newsletter as an electronic Proceedings. Devonport, Tasmanian Weed · Landcare Note: Mexican feather grass file instead of on paper should contact Society. PP0093 the Editor, Ian Faithfull Roig, F.A. (1978) Stipa. In Flora Patagonica Parte · Landcare Note: Lobed needle grass PP0094 Ph. (03) 9785 0111 III. Gramineae. Ed. E.G.Nicora. Coleccion · Landcare Note: Texas needle grass PP0095 Cientrifica del Instituto Nacional de Technologica Agropecuaria Tom VIII. Buenos Aires. Walsh, N.G. (1994) Poaceae. Pp. 356-627 in Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria. Vol 2. Ferns and Allied Plants, Table 1. Vegetation impacts of plumerillo and Uruguayan rice grass. Conifers and Monocotyledons. Inkata 9HJHWDWLRQà /RFDWLRQV 6SHFLHVÃ$VVRFLDWHGÃ,QYDGHGÃ5HIHUHQFH Press, Melbourne. )RUPDWLRQVà Walsh, N.G. (1998) Identification of South ,QYDGHG American tussock weeds. Plant Protection 3OXPHULOOR Quarterly 13(2), 59-62. *UDVVODQG :DLWHÃ$JULFXOWXUDOà $XVWURGDQWKRQLD ÃVSSà GRPLQDQW Ã&RQYROYXOXVà ,QVWLWXWHÃ6RXWKà HUXEHVFHQV Ã(LQDGLDÃQXWDQV Ã(QFK\ODHQDà $XVWUDOLD WRPHQWRVD Ã0DLUHDQDÃHQFK\ODHQRLGHVà -3Ã*DUGQHUà David McLaren, KTRI, Phone: 03 9785 0111 SHUVRQDOÃFRPPXQLFDWLRQ 8UXJXD\DQà Val Stasjic, National Herbarium of Victoria ULFHJUDVV *UDVVODQG &KHUU\Ã/DNHÃ$OWRQDà Ã7KHPHGDÃWULDQGUDà *&DUUÃSHUVRQDOÃFRPPXQLFDWLRQ Mark Gardener, formerly University of New NPÃ6:ÃRIÃ0HOERXUQH England, now with the Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos Islands. Page 12 Under Control No. 12 April 2000

WEED WATCH WARNING Orange hawkweed Hieracium aurantiacum

Hawkweeds (Hieracium spp., family Asteraceae) from Europe are major environmental and pasture weeds in montane and subalpine areas in New Zealand, in upland pastures in North America, and in Japan and Patagonia. They tolerate poor soils, thrive in overgrazed areas and are difficult to control. They are closely related to dandelions and sow thistles and release chemicals which inhibit the growth of other plants.

New Zealand has ten introduced Hieracium species (Webb et al. 1988), four of which are particularly problematic, field hawkweed, H. caespitosum (a big problem in the USA), mouse-ear hawkweed, H. pilosella, king-devil hawkweed, H. praealtum, and orange hawkweed, H. aurantiacum. The large scale of the New Zealand problem has led them to pursue the biological control option. Three agents have already been released and others being tested in Switzerland (Landcare Research NZ 1998, 1999).

Hieracium species have been classified as prohibited imports by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service because they are potentially such serious weeds, particularly for the tussock grasslands of the tablelands of south-eastern Australia. Hawkweeds grow from wind-dispersed seeds to form very dense patches which spread by lateral growth of stolons and daughter plants (Groves 1996).

Orange hawkweed is a species we have been expecting sooner or later to find growing in naturalised populations in Victoria. It naturalised as a garden escape at Ferntree on the slopes of Mt Wellington, Tasmania, before 1963, and is also now naturalised on the central plateau of Tasmania (Curtis 1963 as H. brunneocroceum; Dellow and Groves 1999; Groves, pers. comm.). It was first seen spreading in gardens at Falls Creek (1600 m asl) by Jill Dawson in the early 1990s and was noted on the roadside there in January 1999 by the University of Melbourne’s Nicole Middleton, whose students collected herbarium specimens (Blood, pers. comm., Middleton in litt.). The extent of the invasion in the Falls Creek resort area was surveyed by John Morgan of LaTrobe University and others in January. Plants had originally been brought from Europe to Falls Creek in about 1992 and cultivated. Six new populations beyond the original planting were found, totalling perhaps 300-500 plants, spread over greater that 1 hectare, five in disturbed roadside/ski slope vegetation and one in heathy snow gum forest. “Despite looking a little wimpy, the plant has the ability to occupy the entire intertussock space” (Morgan 2000). Staff and students from Melbourne University’s Field Botany course found five additional populations in late January, two in the village, one growing under dense shade of a Grevillea victoriae the other in a weedy sward. Most troubling in terms of dispersal potential were two populations found on the ski slopes, that were in fruit and had already shed some seed. About 70 plants were removed by hand (Williams 2000). The weed has also been found at Mt Hotham where plants were pulled up in the second weed of February (Morgan 2000).

Orange hawkweed is a perennial herb which forms large rosettes and has slender, hairy, creeping stolons that root readily at the nodes, like a strawberry plant. The leaves are stalkless, lance-shaped, up to 15 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, with a wide, pale central vein, sometimes with slightly toothed margins and with very conspicuous simple 1-4 mm long hairs on both surfaces. The erect, hairy flowering stems grow to 40, or more commonly 15 cm high, and usually lack leaves or have up to four small leaves near the base. The plant has a fibrous root system. The flowers, appearing from December to March, are orange (in contrast to most of the related daisies which have yellow flowers), about 15 mm in diameter, in heads of 5 to 10 or more in a tight cluster at the top of the stem. Like dandelions, the flowers only have ligulate (ray) florets (ie. lack tubular or disc florets). The fruit consists of purplish black achenes up to 2 mm long with dingy non-feathery pappus hairs up to 6 mm long (Roy et al. 1998, Webb et al. 1988).

Ian Clarke of the National Herbarium of Victoria examines orange hawkweed at Falls Creek (Photo: Kate Blood) Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Page 13

Control efforts using herbicides and hand pulling have been undertaken at Falls Creek. The plant is difficult to identify when not in flower, but appears to die quickly when sprayed. Whether the species is capable of re-establishing from a soil seed bank remains to be seen (Morgan 2000). Follow-up control will need to be undertaken.

It is fortunate that orange hawkweed has been found and treated in the early stages of invasion but it could still become a major problem. Continued vigilance is required: in 1999 the plant was advertised for sale in a mail order catalogue by a Berrima (NSW) nursery. The nursery’s plants were vegetatively propagated progeny of material inherited from previous owners, ten years earlier. The nursery owners were persuaded, with the help of the Shire Weeds Officer, to destroy them (Dellow and Groves 1999). Nurseries in Perth, Western Australia (Lloyd 1999), and Walhalla have also offered the plant for sale (Blood and Groves pers. comms.). Another species, the worst one in New Zealand, mouse-ear hawkweed, has been flagged as a potential invader of the Australian Alps (Robinson 1996). Nurseries in Queensland and NSW have recently offerred this plant but have now removed it from sale (Groves pers. comm.). Mail order seeds are a likely source of new hawkweed infestations.

Information on orange hawkweed including photographs can be found at http:// www. oneplan.state.id.us/pest/nw18 and : http:// www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/hawkweed.htm. The lat- ter site includes a climate assessment for Australia. Thanks to Richard Groves, Kate Blood, John Morgan and Rod Randall for information. Orange hawkweed has stoliniferous growth habit, hairy, lanceolate leaves and orange flowers. Ian Faithfull (Photo: Kate Blood)

References Curtis, W.M. (1963) The Student’s Flora of Tasmania Part 2. Angiospermae: Lythraceae to Epacridaceae. Government Printer, Tasmania. Dellow, J. and Groves, R. (1999) Some recent incursion of weeds to New South Wales. Pp. 655-6 in A.C.Bishop, M.Boersma and C.D.Barnes (Eds.) 12th Australian Weeds Conference Papers and Proceedings. Devonport, Tasmanian Weed Society. Groves, R. (1996) Hawkweeds. Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Pest Leaflet. Groves, R. (1999) Sleeper weeds. Pp. 632-6 in A.C.Bishop, M.Boersma and C.D.Barnes (Eds.) 12th Australian Weeds Conference Papers and Proceedings. Devonport, Tasmanian Weed Society. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. (1998). Hieracium project gathers momentum. Patua Te Otaota – Weed Clippings. Biological Control of Weeds Annual Review 1997/98. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd, (1999). Hieracium – a problem shared. What’s New In Biological Control of Weeds? No. 11, February, p.6. Lloyd, S. (1999) Contribution on the Enviroweeds email listserver, 8 February. Middleton, N. (1999) Letter to Kate Blood. Morgan, J. (2000) Contribution on the Enviroweeds email listserver, 18 January. Morgan, J. (in press) Victorian Naturalist 116(2) Robinson, K. (1996) Weed Management Manual for the Australian Alps National Parks. Ecoplan Australia Pty. Ltd./Australian Alps Liaison Committee. Roy, B., Popay, I., Champion, P., James, T. and Rahman, A., 1998. An Illustrated Guide to Common Weeds of New Zealand. New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Canterbury Webb, C.J., Sykes, W.R. and Garnock-Jones, P.J. (1988) Flora of New Zealand Volume IV. Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons. DSIR, Christchurch. Williams, N. (2000) Contribution to the Enviroweeds email listserver, 8 February.

WeedWatch is a network of the CRC for Weed Management Systems in cooperation with all the states and territories of Australia to improve prevention and early intervention activity with new and expanding weeds. By reporting and recording these weeds quickly, we can prevent them becoming widespread, help to conserve indigenous biodiversity, protect industries and save the Australian community millions of dollars. Page 14 Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Researchers gang up on wasps

KTRI took part in a European wasp work- European wasp awareness shop hosted by CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Creating awareness of European wasps and how in October 1999. The aim of the workshop was to reduce their impact on our way of life is an to bring together researchers from around Aus- important aim of this project funded by the tralia and New Zealand to evaluate past and cur- Department of Natural Resources and rent research into the management of wasps and Environment Catchment and Water Division. To to set future research priorities. By working to- this end extra copies of the popular brochure gether, it is hoped that duplication of research “Living with European wasps” have been printed effort can be reduced. Encouraging research is to meet anticipated demand. Already thousands now underway in South Australia and New Zea- of copies of the brochure have been distributed A recorded phone service land, and KTRI has commenced two wasp to local government offices around the state. The for information on wasp projects this season. brochure differentiates European wasps from similar native and beneficial insects, describes identification, nest destruc- Minimising the impact of wasps on the the life-cycle of wasps, control measures and tion, sting treatment and grape and wine industry safety precautions, how to prevent and treat prevention, and other topics. European wasps can damage grapes, sting stings, and how to keep wasps away from the garden. The 24 hour free call number pickers and other vineyard workers, and deter tourists from visiting the cellar door. The Grape is and Wine Research and Development Additional services provided by the project in- Corporation and the Department of Natural clude the European wasp Information line, a free- call from anywhere in Victoria (1800 060 864), 1800 060 864 Resources and Environment Agriculture Division are funding a two year project aimed at reducing and a European wasp web-site at http:// the impact of wasps in vineyards and winemaking www.nre.vic.gov.au/plntanml/pests/wasps/ EUROPEAN WASP areas. An important part of this research is to wasps.htm. INFORMATION LINE trial a toxic bait that will attract European wasps and reduce wasp numbers, but will not effect non-target species such as honey bees. Trials Greg Lefoe A free service from the Department of this season will be restricted to the KTRI Phone: 9785 0158 Natural Resources and Environment vespiary, with vineyard trials planned for 2001. Reports and Queries abcd st

Prairie ground cherry beetle American studies have recorded the reaction of ing germination. Experiments in Canadian fields We have received another report of the acci- Lema trilineata to different species of infested with barnyard grass and fat hen show dentally introduced three-lined potato beetle or Solanaceae. Some are preferred over others that ground-dwelling invertebrates accounted for cape gooseberry beetle, Lema trivittata, attack- while some are totally rejected. Experience to 80 to 90% of seed consumed. Predation was ing prairie ground cherry (Physalis viscosa). date indicates that attacks by this insect on prai- highest in no-till and moldboard plowed environ- This leaf-feeding beetle was first found in rie ground cherry in Victoria are sporadic and ments. Cultivation in general reduces soil inver- Queensland in the 1970s. In January 1994, Geoff have had little effect on the extent and severity tebrate predator populations. Beneficial arthro- Strachan, NRE officer at Shepparton, recorded of infestations, and that it damages valued plants pods should be conserved and management strat- the larvae stripping plants bare of leaves, but leav- of other species. egies that augment their natural populations ing the fruit, and moving in fronts to eventually should be encouraged. clear a whole hillside of foliage in a large infes- tation in the Katamatite area. Peter Simpson, Weed seed predators Sources Cromar, H.E., Murphy, S.D. & Swanton, C.J. (1999) Catchment Management Officer, recenty sent Opportunistic invertebrates that feed on weed Influence of tillage and crop residue on postdispersal in specimens from a Bacchus Marsh garden seeds may be the most significant broad-spec- predation of weed seeds. Weed Science 47(2), 184- where it was active from late February. The trum natural biological weed control affecting 194. beetle seems to be widespread - Raelene Kwong weed populations. Ants are important predators Ants new weapon to combat weeds. Wangaratta has collected it in a garden at Seaford. The in Victoria. Agriculture Victoria studies at Chronicle 17 May 1999 p.9. subgenus Quasilema of Lema contains beetles Rutherglen have shown that they prefer wild rad- that are specialists on plants of the Solanaceae ish and annual ryegrass over canola and clover (potato, eggplant, tomato, etc.). Numerous North seeds and bury the seed in their nests, prevent- Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Page 15 Beetles tour hits the road successful IPM for elms

duced elm leaf beetle numbers and damage to injurious systemic insecticide on targeted sections Councils, contractors and others with respon- extremely low levels. The removal of elm suck- of the row and trials of a horticultural spray oil as sibility for large, sometimes historic trees in ur- ers in a rail reserve near the gardens has also an alternative to foliar applications of broad ban settings face a myriad of complex manage- been important in reducing the speed of re-infes- spectrum insecticides. Another important aspect ment issues, especially when it comes to pest tation. The rail reserve is now being landscaped of the program for this site is the management of control. One such issue, the management of elm to minimise sucker regrowth and beautify the nearby elm suckers, which might otherwise leaf beetle on large elm stands, was the subject Wellington Parade entrance to the city. provide a breeding ground for the beetle and a of a bus tour organised by Arborspray Pty Ltd source of re-infestation. While still on-going, the To evaluate the effectiveness of their program, and E.E. Muir and Sons. Industry, local govern- success of the program to date can be seen in the City of Melbourne, Citywide Tree Services ment and Parks Victoria participated in the tour the photograph taken from the same location two and KTRI have monitored damage caused by of elm sites in the Melbourne metropolitan area years later (photo). elm leaf beetle at Fitzroy Gardens (and other on 10 February 2000. The aim of the tour was locations) over a three-year period. During the to visit areas that have suffered from elm leaf Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne current season, damage to the canopy of elms in beetle infestations in the last few years and The City of Melbourne has concentrated on the Fitzroy Gardens has not exceeded 10% leaf area evaluate the success or failure of attempts to implementation of IPM to control elm leaf beetle removed, and has remained well below that level control the beetle. The most encouraging aspect in its famous garden and avenue elms, while at- throughout the season. of the tour was the success of integrated pro- tempting to minimise the use of broad spectrum grams aimed at controlling the beetle while mini- These examples, and others seen on the day, high- insecticides applied to canopies. During the 1997/ mising chemical use. The tour also provided an lighted the success of programs that integrate 98 season the level of damage caused by the elm opportunity for workers in the field to share their safe chemical, biological and cultural control leaf beetle to the historic elms in the Fitzroy Gar- experiences and discuss a range of associated measures with techniques such as temperature dens had risen to unacceptable levels (up to 40% issues, such as public relations. A summary of and population monitoring. Congratulations to all of the leaf area removed from canopies). This two of the sites visited is provided below; those involved for an informative and rewarding necessitated the use of a broad spectrum insec- day. Special thanks should go to Arborspray Pty ticide applied to the canopies of these trees as a Walmer Street, Kew Ltd and E.E. Muir and Sons who organised the short term solution. Parks Victoria has management responsibility for tour, and to Parks Victoria and the municipalities a historic row of elms along Walmer Street, Kew. During the following two seasons a variety of which provided sites. Elm leaf beetle had defoliated these elms during control measures including applications of the the 1997-98 season (see photo). In response, an bacterial spray Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Greg Lefoe elm leaf beetle management program was tenebrionis, trunk banding techniques, and trials Phone: 9785 0158 implemented which included the use of a non- of a non-injurious systemic insecticide have re-

Elms along Walmer Street, Kew, were severely defoliated by elm leaf beetle in 1997-98 (left) . Two years later, after integrated pest management involving systemic insecticides, horticultural spray-oil treatment and control of sucker growth, the trees have returned to their former glory (right). Page 16 Under Control No. 12 April 2000

From Page 9 Distribution of dock moth in N e w P u b l i c a t i o n s Victoria listings are based on herbarium specimens, so a number of plants known to be naturalised are not listed because no specimens have been lodged. It had been doubted that the agent would survive The Census needs to be available ‘on-line’ so in much of Victoria due to its supposed poor cli- that a ‘live’, current list is always available (com- matic adaptation and the failures of releases of pare the online census at www.cal.wa.go.au/ larvae during 1991-93. Climatic matching indi- florabase). This would help eliminate the uncer- cated that only small areas of the State (parts of tainty about whether a plant name has recently the Murray Valley) fitted the strict Mediterranean changed and would help publicise the new addi- climate requirements of S. doryliformis. How- tions to the Victorian flora, whether they are ever the agent has established in southern, cen- newly naturalised potential weeds or new dis- tral and northern Victoria and is dispersing. Im- coveries. pact on the target weed appears to be small at many of the sites where it survives, but dock den- sities have been reduced in the immediate release Ian Faithfull areas by 90% at least two sites (Tynong North and Timor). Willow Management for Austral- Early advice was that larvae were unlikely to A Census of the Vascular Plants ian Rivers survive in flooded areas and that eggs abort when of Victoria. Special issue of Natural Resource Management wetted. Inoculations in irrigated pastures demon- Journal, December 1999 strated that short-term flood irrigation in summer 6th Edition. J.H.Ross, 2000. Royal Botanic Gar- and autumn did not eliminate populations and that dens, South Yarra. 265 pp., spiral bound. $30 + $10 post & handling from Royal Botanic Available from the Australian Association of minor rainfall (<5 mm) did not necessarily have a Natural Resource Management for $5 including deleterious effect during the egg maturation phase. Gardens Bookshop, Birdwood Ave., South Yarra, 3141. or $30 + $5 p&h from NRE Info Centre postage and packaging. Contact: Baden Williams, There remains an un-met demand for biological ph/fax: 02 6247 4137, email: badenw@ozemail control of docks in Victoria which would best be If you need to know the correct botanical name .com.au. served by the importation of the dock clearwing for a native or naturalised plant in Victoria, this moth, Bembecia chrysidiformis, believed to be is the book! The Census lists the names of all 30-page Special Issue includes three papers: Kurt better adapted than S. doryliformis to the tem- the native and naturalised vascular plants (not Kramer (CSIRO) - Willow management for perate climatic conditions of southern Victoria. algae, fungi, lichens, mosses, liverworts) recog- Australian rivers – case studies, how willows This moth was tested by Agriculture Western nised as occurring in Victoria as at mid-January spread, control methods and management strat- Australia but difficulties were encountered in set- 2000. No common names, no descriptions, no egies; Mike Gooey (Snowy Genoa Catchment ting up laboratory colonies and adjusting it to illustrations, just lists of names, the authors of Management Committee) - Wayward willows southern hemisphere conditions, so further work those names and reference to the original publi- weep - SGCMC efforts to tackle willows; Pe- was dropped in favour of S. doryliformis. A plan cation. There are two main lists – a systematic ter Houghton (NSW Department of Land and to import and release this species has been costed. list with species listed in families and an alpha- Water Conservation) - NSW Willow Clearing Consideration should be given to funding this work betical list of species. Bridal creeper is As- Guidelines – outlines that State’s guidelines for to continue the biological control of dock program. paragus asparagoides -Victorian botanists no landholders wishing to clear willows. Alternatively, different biotypes of S. doryliformis longer call it Myrsiphyllum asparagoides. could be selected for specific climatic regions of south-eastern Australia. This edition, which replaces the 1996 (5th) edi- Tasmanian Bushcare Toolkit tion, has a number of novel features: a list of 1999. $35 including postage and handling from A proper field-based evaluation of Victorian re- taxa endemic to Victoria (326 taxa), a list of taxa the Mail House, phone 03 6272 5526, fax 03 leases needs to be undertaken after the agent has extinct in Victoria (33) and the use of an ex- 62733655, email mailhouse@oakenterprises had a longer opportunity to consolidate its pres- tended range of symbols indicating plants that .com.au. ence in areas where it has been released. In the are naturalised (aliens that reproduce freely in meantime KTRI would welcome any informa- well established populations, 1110 species), plants A set of native vegetation management materials tion from landholders about the continuing sur- that are both native and naturalised outside their that provides landowners, community groups and vival, dispersal and impact of the agent. original geographic range (eg. the giant extension staff with a comprehensive guide to honeymyrtle, Melaleuca armillaris), plants that the management and conservation of native bush. are incipiently naturalised (28 spp.), plants with The Toolkit has nine modules: bush on your farm; an uncertain native/introduced status (35 spp., managing your bush; weeds in your bush; Ian Faithfull eg. water buttons, Cotula coronopifolia), en- revegetating your farm; threatened plant species Phone: (03) 9785 0105 demic taxa, new records for Victoria since the in your bush; riprian bush; grassy bush; eucalypt publication of the Flora of Victoria (eg. bush; other bush types. The Tasmanian Bushcare Hieracium aurantiacum), taxa of hybrid origin website http://www.bushcare.tas.gov.au is to (eg. Spartina X townsendii) and conservation contain continually updated versions of each status (extinct, endangered, vulnerable, etc.). The module. Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Page 17

N e w P u b l i c a t i o n s Herbicide Modes of Action List

Around the Traps - Wild Dog Australian Plant Communities - Latest mode of action guidelines inserted in this newsletter! Whether controlling weeds in natural Newsletter Dynamics of Structure, Growth ecosystems, agriculture or roadsides, check the Vol. 1 No. 1, November 1999, DNRE and Biodiversity latest “Herbicide Mode of Action” list and Ray Specht and Alison Specht, Oxford Univer- guidelines. Reduce the impact of herbicide The first, 4 page issue contains articles on sity Press, 1999. ISBN 0 19 553705 X. $115 + $5 resistance and protect your long-term options for whether the dingo should be considered an in- postage from the NRE Bookshop. weed control. Extra copies are available from troduced animal; “the ejector” – a device under agricultural resellers, some State agency advisory development by the Vertebrate Pest Research This book is the first synthesis of the physiologi- staff and from Avcare - fax 02 6230 6355 and Department of the Victorian Institute for Animal cal process that shapes Australian vegetation at www.avcare.org.au. Science which enables a more controlled deliv- the level of the entire plant community. Lavishly ery of bait and toxin to canids; the SE NSW and illustrated with figures, graphs and photographs, ACT Wild Dog Management Project; the local it is written in a clear and concise style and re- EVENTS experiences of Geoff Burston of Benambra with fers to many studies of the processes operating wild dog exclusion fences; and information on in Australian vegetation. Weed Expo/Show wild dogs in north-west Victoria from John Matheson of DNRE at Rainbow. (name and dates to be confirmed) NRE Pest Plants and Animals 6 to 7 Oct 2000 Enquiries about Around the Traps should be di- Program Staff Conference Melbourne. BIG scale weed expo with work- rected to the Editor, Fiona Orchard, Extension shops and trade displays etc. Being jointly or- Officer, DNRE, 73 Calvert St, Bairnsdale, 3875, ganised by Greening Australia Victoria and the ph 03 5152 0600, Fax 03 5152 6865, email Integrated Pest Weed Science Society of Victoria. [email protected] Management – Weed Forums - Regional Victoria Water Weeds Poster Delivering the Future - four dates to be confirmed for April 2000 Save Our Waterways. Learn to know it, Please Four weed forums being organised by the Victo- don’t grow it! 42 x 59 cm All Seasons International Hotel rian Farmers Federation to allow Produced by the Weed Management Section, Bendigo farmers to express their views and hear NRE Department of Primary Industries, Water and 18-19 July 1999 policies and funding arrangements. Environment, Tasmania, as a Weedbusters Contact Kate Lochart, Clay Manners at VFF, project. The conference is being organised by Jim phone 03 9207 5555. Colour photos and information on the legal sta- Backholer, Jack Craw and El Bruzzese of tus of 20 aquatic weeds: alligator weed, salvinia, KTRI with regional staff Janet Drummond, Eradication of Island Invasives cabomba, arrowhead (2 spp.), hornwort, Senegal Brian Dowley, Alan Dobson and Fiona tea plant, water lettuce, leafy elodea, Canadian Orchard. The Committee has selected four Conference - Practical Actions and pondweed, water caltrope, hydrilla, lagarosiphon, Session Themes – Future Directions, Better Results Achieved hydrocotyl, Brazilian water milfoil, Eurasian wa- Communication, Developing Opportunities for An international conference of the Invasive Spe- ter milfoil, water hyacinth, Peruvian primrose, Partnerships and Integration, and Providing cies Specialist Group of IUCN to be held at the horsetails, water soldier. Available from KTRI Technical Support. The last three session University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand and government departments in other States and themes will be workshops aimed at from 19-23 February 2001. Submission of ab- Territories. reinforcing, at a regional level the lessons stracts is invited for oral presentations and post- learnt and successes achieved from specific ers on any topics related to the theme. The term Books from Agrobios (India) regional activities. This is a unique opportunity ‘eradication’ may include work to remove inva- Agro House, IV E 177, J.N.Vyas Nagar, Bikaner, to provide a regional perspective on tackling sive species where complete eradication has not 334 003, India. Phone: 0011 91 0151 522 523 common PPA issues. been achieved, but the methods are achieving Fax: 0015 91 0151 526 756 Email: positive results or providing a significant learning [email protected]. Prices in Rupees (1 AUD The goals of the conference are to strengthen experience. The term ‘island’ may include natu- = 27.5 INR). the lines of communication within the organi- ral habitat islands (eg. ponds), remnant and arti- Principles of Pesticide Chemistry. S.K. Handa, sation, share success stories of program plan- ficial habitat islands (eg. reserves), or new inva- 1995. 395.00 ning, implemetation and assessment, promote sions of natural ecosystems where eradication Modern Weed Management. O.P.Gupta, 1998. the integrated approach to catchment man- was deemed feasible. Preference will be given 990.00 agement issues, provide updates on current to papers which provide detail of the techniques Weed Management: Principles and Practice. policy and technical issues and strengthen used or of the ecosystem response to the work. O.P.Gupta, 1998. 400.00 staff ownership and involvement in PPA ac- Significant learning experiences may include Aquatic Weeds: Utility and Development. tivities. Attendance by invitation only: NRE methods which failed. The expected registration F.Z.Majid, 1999. 250.00 regional CAS staff involved in delivering the cost is less than NZ$250.00. The draft scientific Aquatic Plants: Their Need, Menace and PPA program in the regions, CAS Manag- programme will be available on the ISSG website Management. O.P.Gupta, 2000. 695.00 ers, PPA head office Team, KTRI and VIAS, by 15 November. Weed Management of Horticultural Crops. rural facilitators, etc. All correspondence to the Conference Manager: Mr Shanugavelu, 2000. 250.00 Enquiries: Jim Backholer Dick Veitch, 48 Manse Road, Papakura, New Zealand. Weed, Weedicide and Weed Control Princi- Ph & Fax +64-9-298 5775, email [email protected]. ples and Practice. R.C.Mandal, 2000. 600.00 Phone: 03 9785 0150 ISSG Website: www.issg.org Page 18 Under Control No. 12 April 2000

NRE Customer Biological control web-sites Service Centre http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/biocon/ The University of California Centre for Biologi- cal Control. Information on a number of projects Everything you Net Sites of interest to Australians, especially the biocontrol need to know ... at the of various psyllids attacking Eucalyptus spp.and of Interest Syzygium paniculatum (Australian bush cherry). end of the phone http://www.aphis.usda.gov/nbci/nbci.html Friends of the Elms USDA National Biological Control Institute. In- So you want to find out about fox or http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fote/index.html formation and resources on the biological control rabbit control measures? Perhaps prickly The Friends of the Elms are a group of volunteers of arthropods and weeds in the USA. pear or spear thistle have invaded your concerned for the welfare of elms throughout property. Where do you go for the Australia. Patersons Curse Management Handbook information? The Department of Natural http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/plntanml/pests/ Resources and Environment’s (NRE’s) National Weeds Straetgy pestplants/patersonscurse/index.htm new Customer Service Centre means http://www.weeds.org.au Tom Morley and Peter Stapleton’s informative that access to the information is now as The Weeds Australia web site has been updated handbook on dealing with Paterson’s curse. close as the phone. with: progress reporting for Weeds of National Includes the “Victorian Update”. The centre provides a single point of Significance, Weeds of National Significance Pierre Binggeli’s Invasive Woody Weeds contact for NRE products, services, guidelines, updated noxious weeds list, weed http://members.tripod.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/ publications and events, and can put you related web pages, etc. All the web addresses invasive/index.html in touch with experts when you need have been tested and the links usually take the An investigation of invasive woody plants specialist information and advice. browser to the most appropriate, and oftern extremely difficult to locate, page within what worldwide was initiated in the 1980s. This has Victorians can access the service from may be large web sites. If anyone finds a site resulted in a massive amount of information being anywhere in the State for the cost of a which they think should be included, please advise gathered, some of which is now available on this local call (excluding public and mobile using the e-mail form provided. They would like web sites: overview of invasive woody plants in phones). to be informed when the links do not work. Web the tropics (also available from the Bangor web addresses change frequently and more often than site http://www.safs.bangor.ac.uk/iwpt); Phone - 136 186 not links are not provided between the old and provisional list of invasive woody plants 8am to 8pm new addresses. (Contact John Thorp, Project worldwide; autecology of invasive woody plant Monday to Friday Manager, National Weeds Strategy, Email: species with Acer pseudoplatanus, Maesopsis E-mail - [email protected]). eminii and Hippophae rhamnoides reported in [email protected] detail and incomplete information on Syzygium US Dept of Defense invasive plant section jambos, Rubus spectabilis, Pyrostegia venusta, http://www.denix.osd.mil/ non-woody plants: Selaginella sp. and Canna Environmental Weeds Strategy Put together by Randy Westbrooks. Facts, case indica and on regional studies (mainly Ireland, for Western Australia studies, some good pics. Tanzania and Pitcairn Is.); links to ecological species accounts for over 250 species of invasive woody plants. The Strategy, prepared with funding support Biocontrol News and Information from the Federal Government’s Natural http//pest.cabweb.org/bnimain.htm The news section of Biocontrol News and In- Heritage Trust, has been released for public Thanks to Pierre Binggeli, John Thorp, Rick Llewellyn distribution. The Strategy will make a formation, published by Commonwealth Agricul- (UWA), Sandy Lloyd (Agriculture Western Australia) tural Bureau International (CABI), recently made significant contribution to the State Weed Plan, and Greg Lefoe for information on web sites. available. Both current and back issues can be now being developed through a Government- accessed. Subscribers to BNI can also find the Community steering committee chaired by full text for the journal at this site. Agriculture WA, which will address both declared plants and environmental weeds. WeedBase, an interactive CD-ROM database Landcare Notes - Pest Plant Identification of 1350 environmental weeds, was developed Chilean needle grass as part of the environmental Weeds Strategy. ‘WeedBase’ provides a standard information Paterson’s curse base for environmental weeds in WA. It is Ragwort hoped that it will encourage the public to contribute their knowledge of environmental Full colour glossy brochures specifically designed to enable weeds in WA. identification of these key weeds For more information contact the Department 100 copies $25.00 250 for $50.00 1,000 for $150.00 of Conservation and Land Management: Prices include postage and handling phone 08 93340333, fax 08 93340466, http:// Orders to Princy Kroon, KTRI www.calm.wa.gov.au PO Box 48, Frankston, Vic., 3199. Phone (03) 9785 0111 Fax (03) 9785 2007 Cheques payable to Keith Turnbull Research Institute Under Control No. 12 April 2000 Page 19

Do you need Keith Turnbull Research Institute Contacts

Science Director El Bruzzese [email protected] our services? Business Manager Peter Andrew [email protected] Quarantine Manager Jean-Louis Sagliocco [email protected] Publications Sales Princy Kroon [email protected] KTRI is keen to ensure that the best informa- Extension Support Jack Craw [email protected] tion, technology and practices are utilised in the Landcare Notes Ian Faithfull [email protected] range of initiatives and programs funded by the PMIS Jim Backholer [email protected] Commonwealth and State governments to reduce ‘Under Control’ Newsletter Ian Faithfull [email protected] Desktop publishing & KTRI web Les Bould [email protected] the threat of pest plants and animals. We there- fore offer our services as part of partnerships Vertebrate Pest Research (VIAS) Penny Fisher [email protected] requiring a research and/or development com- Invertebrate Pests Greg Lefoe [email protected] ponent that will ensure the desired outcomes. Elm Pests and Diseases Greg Lefoe [email protected] Fig Psyllids Kate McArthur [email protected] The Institute has the capacity to undertake large Integrated Weed Management or small scale research or consultative projects Emerging Weeds El Bruzzese [email protected] and has a reputation for innovative work, helping Weeds of Agricultural Ecosystems David McLaren [email protected] to develop practical and cost effective solutions Tom Morley [email protected] Weeds of Natural Ecosystems Patrick Pigott [email protected] for a wide range of pest problems. Pest Plant Impact Assessment John Weiss [email protected] Alligator Weed Lalith Gunasekera [email protected] The Institute offers a range of services includ- Other Aquatic Weeds Lalith Gunasekera [email protected] ing: Boneseed and Bitou Bush Aline Bruzzese [email protected] Horehound Emma Wills [email protected] · Pest plant and pest insect surveys and im- Ragwort David McLaren [email protected] pact evaluations. Serrated Tussock, Chilean Needlegrass David McLaren [email protected] · Development of integrated pest management Chemical Control of Environmental Weeds Graeme Pritchard [email protected] Herbicide testing facilities Julio Bonilla [email protected] strategies and plans. Herbicide Strategies for Environmental Weeds Nigel Ainsworth [email protected] · Monitoring and evaluation of pest plant and animal management programs. Biological Control of Weeds Raelene Kwong [email protected] Community Partnership Program Raelene Kwong · Education and training in pest plant and pest Blackberry Franz Mahr [email protected] insect management. Docks Ian Faithfull [email protected] · Development of innovative pest management English Broom Kate McArthur [email protected] Gorse John Stoner [email protected] techniques. Prickly Pear Raelene Kwong [email protected] · Pest Management Information Systems. Ragwort Raelene Kwong · Herbicide and pesticide evaluation research. South American Tussock Grasses David McLaren [email protected] · Development of extension programs on pest St John’s Wort Franz Mahr [email protected] Thistles Brad Roberts [email protected] plants and insects. Tutsan Franz Mahr [email protected] · Preparation of leaflets, brochures, booklets Paterson’s Curse Kerry Roberts [email protected] and posters. Education Programs · Biological control programs on pest plants Environmental Weeds Education Kate Blood [email protected] and pest insects. CRC Weed Management Systems Kate Blood [email protected] Nigel Ainsworth [email protected] If you think our services may be of assistance in El Bruzzese [email protected] solving your pest problem we would be pleased Agriculture Victoria - Frankston, KTRI, PO Box 48 Frankston, Vic 3199 to discuss it with you. Tel (03) 9785 0111 Fax (03) 9785 2007 DX 211791 email: [email protected]

Contact: El Bruzzese ([email protected]) or a Peter Andrew ([email protected]) on (03) 9785 0111.

Under Control - Pest Plant and Animal Management News is If you wish to have your name added to distributed free of charge to Landcare and Friends groups, local government, NRE catchment management and extension officers and the mailing list for Under Control or to pest management researchers throughout Victoria. make further enquiries please contact: Agriculture Victoria - Frankston Keith Turnbull Research Institute PO Box 48 Under Control - Pest Plant and Animal Management News is the quarterly publication Frankston, Vic, 3199 of Agriculture Victoria - Frankston, Keith Turnbull Research Institute, Phone (03) 9785 0111 Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Fax (03) 9785 2007 Ó State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, 2000. Email: [email protected] Please let us know if you have Editor: Ian Faithfull changed your address or no longer Assistance by Les Bould (graphics), Raelene Kwong, Peter Andrew and El Bruzzese. wish to receive the newsletter. Printed by Doran Printing, 46 Industrial Drive, Braeside, Victoria 3195.