CACTUS QUARTERLY

NSW, North West Region Summer 2019 Latest news In This Issue Attack on Harrisia Cactus continues with Satusteam© Latest News Weedtechnics came out to Gynsyd Way at Goondiwindi on the 5 No- • Weedtechnics - Satusteam © vember to set loose the Green Ninja Pro where 25 community mem- bers got to see it in action! Hudson Pear - C. pallida It was great to see community come down to the Gunsyd Way harrisia • Mass-rearing facility trial site, including Weed Officers (from NSW and QLD), Agronomists, • Hudson Pear Spray Group B NRM Officers, Contractors, Local Land Services, Landcare Coordina- • Biocontrol on the attack tors (from NSW and QLD), hobby farmers and Producers. Rope pear - C. imbricata Ben Larson, Satusteam expert from Weedtech- New Resources Available nics took on the spikes of the harrisia cactus with • Invasive cacti in North West NSW - the compact, but effective Green Ninja Pro Identification and biological control op- Satusteam© weeding machine. tions The site had a reasonable density of harissa cac- • Invasive cacti guide - Identification and Photo (left to right): tus, as well as other control of invasive cacti in North West Lachie Biddle (MPSC), cactus species, includ- NSW Ian Schwartz (MPSC) ing tree pear and tiger Events and Wayne Garnsey pear. (NW LLS). • Release the Hounds on Hudson pear The focus for the day  Save the Date Feb 2020 was on harrisia cactus which was both  Expressions of Interest stressed and growing a number of new green shoots. The harrisia cactus was treated with Know your local Weeds Officer Photo: Green Ninja Pro each of the Satusteam© applicator heads – Further Information Versitech© open head, Versitech© covered Satusteam© , Weedtech- nics. Funded through the NW Cacti Coordinator Program and Satusteam© spike.

Ben treated individual plants for varied Email: [email protected] lengths of time with some treated quite Phone: 0402 014 769 quickly and others more intensively. As Photo: Weedtechnics steam spray- the aim of the demonstration, was to ing harrisia cactus, Goondiwindi. assess the effectiveness of application the cactus was staked and flagged with pink tape. If you missed out on the day head on out to the site and check out the results or for more information on the Green Ninja Pro Satusteam© contact Weedtechnics at www.weedtechnics.com/

Before - Satusteam© spike.

During - Satusteam© spike. After - Satusteam© spike. After - Versitech© covered head 1 How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 1 Hudson pear - C. pallida Lightning Ridge Hudson pear mass-rearing facility nearing completion Generous funding from the NSW Government (Office for Environment and Heritage) has seen the construction of a biocontrol agent rearing facility at Lightning Ridge. For the next three years, this facility will be used to mass-rear the Hudson pear cochineal, a biocontrol agent which will form part of the Integrated Weed Management plan to abate the threat of Hudson pear in the North West of NSW and potential impacts throughout the Murray Darling Basin. The Hudson pear mass-rearing facility is a 10 x 27 meter long plastic tunnel, equipped with roof and side-wall vents to control its internal climate. The facility is in the process of being kitted out with a shelving system which will house the 840 plastic rearing tubs required to breed the cochineal. It is anticipated that once the facility reaches maximum production, it will be able to produce upwards of 100,000 infected Hudson pear segments per year for release. These will be used to flood the core Hudson pear infestation around Lightning Ridge, and Grawin. The facility will initially require a significant amount of fresh, uninfected Hudson pear segments to get the ball rolling. If you are able to assist with the collection of any material, please contact Mat Savage (Castlereagh Macquarie County Council weed officer) at [email protected] or 0427 253 463. The official opening and naming of the facility has been earmarked for the week of 3-7 February 2020. This coin- cides with three training workshops (Lightning Ridge – 4 Feb, Cumborah – 7 Feb, Grawin – 8 Feb, see page 6 for more information) designed to train interested parties in becoming part of this exciting program to tackle Hudson pear. By: Andrea Fletcher, Mat Savage and Andrew McConnachie

Figure: The pouring of the slab, M. Savage. Figure: Erection of the structure begins, M. Sav- age.

Figure: Installation of the roof, M. Savage. Figure: Shelves and plastic breeding contain- ers, M. Savage.

2 How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 2 Hudson Pear Spray Group B collection day The Hudson Pear Spray Group had an action packed day on Saturday 7 December filling 402 x 50 litre tubs of Hudson pear segments for the new mass-rearing facility. These tubs will have the new Hudson pear biologi- cal agent added to them, with the intent that the agent will start feeding and breeding on the seg- ments. This process of rearing the biocontrol agent will support the community focused Biological Re- lease Program including training workshops early in the new year. Andrea Fletcher and Mat Savage from Castlereagh Macquarie County Council reflected on the day say- ing “the group exceeded our expectations. From Figure: Brock collecting segments asking for a demo on how to collect segments Figure: HPSG member busy collecting with his trusty rake. to how to stack the tubs. A hard day with lots of segments. fun!”

Figure: Tubs waiting to be transported back to Figure: Mat Savage (left) and Andrea Fletcher the mass-rearing facility. (right) in a full mass-rearing facility. Figure: Rhett collecting segments. A massive THANK YOU to all 14 volunteers who participate in the collecting 402 tubs worth of Hudson pear segments!

Merry Christmas and we look forward to an exciting new year! - Community Biological Release Program

Jumping Cholla - C. prolifera Biocontrol on the attack! During a most recent monitoring trip to Lightning Ridge and surrounding areas Andrew McConnachie (Senior Research Scientist, NSW DPI) and Pete Turner (Manager, Invasive Species, NSW DPI) were able to assess the impact biocontrol is having on the Jumping Cholla, Cylindropuntia prolifera. The cochineal ‘californica var. parkeri’ lineage is thriving on C. prolifera infestations found around Lightning Ridge. Andrew noted, “This is the same lineage of cochineal that is be- ing released on Hudson pear and it is having an impressive impact on jumping cholla! This was predicted in laboratory testing and it is encouraging to see the same results in the field.” Figure: A. McConnachie (left) and P. Turner (right).

3 How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 3 Rope Pear How does it spread?

Cylindropuntia imbricata Like most cactus species the cladodes can be dispersed through human and animal movement, as well as vehi- Where did it come from and where is it now? cles and other machinery. The fruit is consumed by both native wild life and pest animals which then help disperse the seeds. It has the ability to form impenetrable clumps

and reduce stock carrying capacity. Segments easily break off and can spread to new sites via flood waters. Source: NSW WeedWise and Field Identification Guide 2nd Edition

General Biosecurity Duty

All plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to

prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they

may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who

knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a

duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or mini-

mised, so far as is reasonably practicable.

All of NSW Prohibition on dealings Must not be imported into the State or sold

Figure: C. imbricata distribution, Atlas of Living 2019. North West Cylindropuntia imbricata, native to the USA and central Biosecurity Act requirements & Strategic Response Mexico, was first recorded in Australia in 1911. The plant in the region is particularly common around mining towns in western Mandatory Measure (Division 8, Clause 33, Biosecurity NSW. Regulation 2017): A person must not import into the State Source: Department of Primary Industries WeedWise, 2019 or sell. Source: North West Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan What does it look like? Executive Summary Much-branched spiny plant, often 2–3 m high, with rope- like segments growing at various angles to the upright How do you control it? branches. Biocontrol Cladodes Place infected cladodes on the top of the shrub to en- • Dull grey-green courage the cochineal to transfer onto the healthy plant. It • 15-40 cm long also aids in protection of the cochineal until the conditions • 3.5-5 cm diameter are right for the cochineal to move around. • Large, widely spaced tubercles give a woven, rope like appearance Cochineal Spines Dactylopius tomentosus ‘imbricata’ Scientific name • 2-12 spines per areole Order: Hemiptera • 0.8-3 cm long • Trunks often covered in spines Family: Dactylopiidae • Off white-cream sheath attached. Genus: Dactylopius Flowers Species: tomentosus • Dark pink, magenta Lineage: imbricata Fruit Check out the latest news from the NSW Weed Biocontrol Taskforce at https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-control/biological- • Fleshy, egg shaped, to 4 cm long control/nsw-weed-biocontrol-taskforce or • Greenish yellow when ripe Figure: C. imbricata, sign up to the extranet https://extranet.dpi.nsw.gov.au/weeds/resources/ • Can form chains WeedWise. biological-control-of-weeds Source: Field Identification Guide 2nd Edition /nsw-weed-biocontrol-taskforce 4 How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 4 Chemical Control - Rope pear WARNING —Always read the label

Source: NSW Weed Control Handbook – A guide to weed control in non-crop, aquatic and bushland situations

Control Calendar

Source: NW Regional Weeds Officer Best Practises Guides

For information on how to control Cylindropuntia imbricata please search APVMA https://portal.apvma.gov.au/home to find the correct permit and instructions for use. Alternatively, please contact your local Weeds Officer for further advise on identification and control (see page 7 for contact details).

Integrated control methods It is important to make sure that you eradicate any weeds on your boundary perimeters to ensure that your General Biosecurity Duty is being implemented and you’re doing your bit towards stopping the spread of weeds! Biocontrol is a great control method in core infestations and in area that is hard to access. For those few plants that easy to get to and are on fence lines or road side, chemical or manual removal are the most efficient control op- tions. For more information on how to control cacti on your property check out the Invasive cacti field guide - Identification and control of invasive cacti in North West NSW (see page 6 for more information). Source: Invasive cacti field guide - Identification and control of invasive cacti in North West NSW

5 How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 5 New Resources Available

Invasive cacti in North West NSW Invasive cacti field guide Identification and biological control options Identification and control of invasive cacti in North West NSW

Now available Now available Northern Slopes Landcare Northern Slopes Landcare website Cacti → Resources website Cacti → Resources

https:// https:// www.northernslopeslandcare.co www.northernslopeslandcare.co m.au/images/pdf/ m.au/images/ cac- Cac- ti/5533_WONS_Poster_1810_We ti/5537_Cacti_Booklet_VeryFINA b.pdf L_WEB.pdf

NW Local Land Services website Resource hub → Publications

https://northwest.lls.nsw.gov.au/ __data/assets/ pdf_file/0004/1192396/5537_Cac ti-Booklet_VeryFINAL_WEB.pdf Events Save The Date Find out more about the biocontrol of Hudson pear, including information on how to be- come involved with releasing the biocontrol agent.

Lightning Ridge - Tuesday 4 February 2020 Cumborah - Friday 7 February 2020 Grawin - Saturday 8 February 2020

More information will be available early 2020!

Expression Of Interest WANTED dedicated community members to be apart of a Coordinated Biocontrol Re- lease Program for Hudson pear. For more information contact Jo Skewes NW Cacti Control Coordinator Mat Savage [email protected] Walgett Shire Council Weed officer 0402 014 769 [email protected] 0427 253 463 Pick up an application at

Walgett Shire Council in Lightning Ridge

NW Local Land Services in Walgett 6 How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 6 North West Regional Weeds Officers If you find any suspicious weeds please call your local council so their response team can work with you on identify- ing and controlling any State Priority Weeds you might find on your property.

Gunnedah Shire Council Council Tamworth Regional Council Senior Weeds Officer Senor Biosecurity Officer Senior Weeds Officer Lee Amidy 0427 254 188 Ian Schwartz 0427 044 521 Mal Stein 0429 821 579 Biosecurity Officer Weeds Officer 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah NSW 2380 Lachlan Biddle 0408 204 577 Robert Burr 0419 271 593 Phone 02 6740 2100 Postal Address Moree Office Ray Walsh House PO Box 63 Level 2, Max Centre 437 Peel Street Gunnedah NSW 2380 30 Heber Street Tamworth NSW 2340 Email [email protected] Moree NSW 2400 Phone 02 6767 5555 Phone 02 6757 3222 Postal Address Council Postal Address PO Box 555 Weeds Officer Warialda PO Box 420 Tamworth NSW 2340 Scott McLachlan 0428 305 364 Moree NSW 2400 Email [email protected] Weeds Officer Bingara Email [email protected] Stephen Kneller 0427 240 061 Mungindi Office Walgett Shire Council CTC Building Castlereagh Macquarie Weeds Postal Address 153 St George Street County Council Locked Bag 5 Mungindi NSW 2406 Senior Weeds Officer Bingara NSW 2404 Phone 02 6753 2389 Andrea Fletcher 0428 462 060 Email [email protected] Weeds Officer Bingara Office Postal Address Mat Savage 0427 253 463 33 Maitland Street PO Box 39 Bingara NSW 2404 Mungindi NSW 2406 77 Fox Street Walgett NSW 2832 Phone 02 6724 2000 Boggabilla Office Phone 02 6828 6100 Warialda Office Boggabilla TAFE Postal Address 52 Hope Street South Street PO Box 31 Warialda NSW 2402 Boggabilla NSW 2409 Walgett NSW 2832 Phone 02 6729 3000 Phone 07 4676 2915 E-mail [email protected] Postal Address PO Box 764 NW Local Land Services Council Goondiwindi QLD 4390 Moree Office 02 6750 9000 Authorised Officer - Weeds Warialda Office 02 6729 1529 Mike Whitney 0427 961 980 Council Narrabri Office 1300 795 299 Senior Authorised Officer - Weeds Tamworth Office 02 6764 5900 60 Station Street Clare Felton-Taylor 0427 294 771 Walgett Office 02 6828 6400 Quirindi NSW 2343 Authorised Officer - Weeds Gunnedah Office 02 6742 9220 Phone 02 6746 1755 Chris Watkins 0429 202 205 Goondiwindi Office 0428 432 784 Postal Address PO Box 152 46-48 Maitland Street Department of Primary Industries Quirindi NSW 2343 Narrabri NSW 2390 Biosecurity Help Line 1800 680 244 Email [email protected] Phone 02 6799 6866 Postal Address PO Box 261 Narrabri NSW 2390 Email [email protected]

7 How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 7 Further Information Websites Atlas of Living Australia - https://www.ala.org.au/ Australian Invasive Cacti Network (AICN) - http://www.aicn.org.au/ Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicinal Authority (APVMA) - https://portal.apvma.gov.au Biological Control DPI - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/projects/biological-control Department of Primary Industries (DPI) - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ DPI Weeds - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds NSW Biocontrol Weeds Taskforce - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-control/biological-control/ nsw-weed-biocontrol-taskforce NSW WeedWise - http://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ North West Local Land Services (NW LLS) - https://northwest.lls.nsw.gov.au/ North West Weeds - http://www.northwestweeds.com.au/ PlantNET - http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/ Weed Control and Identification - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-control Weeds of National Significance - http://weeds.ala.org.au/WoNS/

North West Landcare North West Plains Sustainability Group - https://www.facebook.com/northwestplainsgroup/ Northern Slopes Landcare Association - http://www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/ Tamworth Regional Landcare Association - http://www.trla.org.au/

Resources Australian Weed Strategy - http://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/pest-animals- and-weeds/review-aus-pest-animal-weed-strategy/aus-weeds-strategy Weed Control Handbook - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-control/ management-guides/noxious-enviro-weed-control Invasive Cacti Field Guide: Identification and control of invasive cacti, North West NSW - https:// www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/images/Cacti/5537_Cacti_Booklet_VeryFINAL_WEB.pdf Opuntiod Cacti Best Practice Control Manual - https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/opuntioid-cacti-best- practice-control-manual

NSW Acts and Regulations Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 - https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/2016/63 Biosecurity Act 2015 - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/legislation/list/biosecurity-act-2015 EPA Pesticide Act 1999 - https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and-regulation/legislation-and-compliance/acts- administered-by-the-epa/act-summaries#pa EPA Pesticide Regulation 2017 - https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and-regulation/legislation-and-compliance/ acts-administered-by-the-epa/regulation-summaries#PestReg Local Land Services Act 2013 - https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/2013/51

Cactus Quarterly - Sign Up Cactus Quarterly - Contact NW Local Land Services - Feedback Online: http://eepurl.com/dH1wAv NW Cacti Control Coordinator Online: rateitnow.com/ QR Reader App Northern Slopes Landcare Association northwestllsregion Email: [email protected] Phone: 0402 014 769

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