DOCSLIB.ORG

Weed Management Plan for Mimosa ( Mimosa Pigra ) 2013

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Weed Management Plan for Mimosa ( Mimosa Pigra ) 2013 Weed Management Plan for Mimosa ( Mimosa pigra ) 2013 Weed Management Branch Department of Land Resource Management PO Box 496 Palmerston NT 0831 © Northern Territory of Australia 2013 ISBN 978–1–74350–041-5 This product and all material forming part of it is copyright belonging to the Northern Territory of Australia. You may use this material for your personal, non-commercial use or use it with your organisation for non-commercial purposes provided that an appropriate acknowledgement is made and the material is not altered in any way. Subject to the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 you must not make any other use of this product (including copying or reproducing it or part of it in any way) unless you have the written permission of the Northern Territory of Australia to do so. Important Disclaimer The Northern Territory of Australia does not warrant that this publication, or any part of it, is correct or complete. To the extent permitted by law, the Northern Territory of Australia (including its employees and agents) excludes all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using, in part of in whole, any information or material contained in this publication. The use of pesticides and herbicides in Australia is governed by the Agvet Code Act 1994 (Commonwealth) and the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical (Control of Use) Act (NT). Herbicides must be used according to the directions on the registered label. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or omitted to be made in this publication. For further details see the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website - http://www.apvma.gov.au/index.asp . Cover photo : Mimosa flower. Weed Management Plan for Mimosa (Mimosa pigra) ii Executive summary This Weed Management Plan forms part of a strategic approach to mimosa (Mimosa pigra ) management in the NT, with the overall aim being to mitigate the damage caused by mimosa in relation to the natural environment, the Territory economy and social and cultural land uses. A comprehensive weed risk management assessment found mimosa to be a very high risk weed where potential exists for successful management. On the basis of this assessment mimosa has retained its declaration status under the Weeds Management Act (the Act) as: Class A: to be eradicated (all areas of the NT except where it is classified as Class B); Class B: growth and spread to be controlled This is an area roughly described as west of the Kakadu National Park, north of Adelaide River township, north-west of the Daly River/Port Keats road and north-east of the Moyle River and an area of the Oenpelli floodplain. Class C: prevent introduction into the NT (All Class A and B areas are also classified as Class C). The mixed declaration classes (A/C and B/C) reflect the varying feasibility of control between the two areas. Low density, high feasibility of eradication and control (Class A), and high density, lower feasibility of eradication or control (Class B), plus the need to prevent new introductions across all of the Territory (Class C). The delineation of management zones associated with these declaration classes represents a defensible balance between the difficulty of managing large established infestations (B/C zone) and the urgent need to eradicate outlying populations (A/C zone). This plan establishes the objectives, management requirements and management actions and outcomes to be achieved by land managers and the minimum actions to be taken to achieve these outcomes. Conducting land management practices in accordance with this plan will secure compliance with the requirements of the Act. As this is the first plan to be prepared for mimosa, the outcomes and options identified represent a first step towards reducing the impacts and threats of this weed. It is acknowledged that the range of capabilities for managing weeds vary between land managers and that in the first instance some will need time to build knowledge and capacity to adjust to new requirements. Accordingly this plan takes effect for a period of three years, during which it will be monitored. The plan will be reviewed and any necessary adjustments made at the end of that period. This plan also incorporates best management practice goals which will ultimately contribute to strategic weed control at a Territory scale. Information on a range of management techniques and control methods, including physical and chemical control, controlled burning and hygiene procedures is included. Weed Management Plan for Mimosa (Mimosa pigra) 1 Contents Executive summary ................................................................................................................ 1 List of Figures 4 List of Tables 4 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................. 5 1.2 Period and application of plan ................................................................................. 5 1.3 Coordinated and adaptive management of mimosa ................................................ 5 2. Aim and objectives .......................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Aim ......................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Targets .................................................................................................................... 6 3. Mimosa declaration status ............................................................................................... 7 3.1 Declaration status ................................................................................................... 7 3.2 Northern Territory Weed Risk Management System ............................................... 8 4. Current distribution .......................................................................................................... 9 5. Management requirements ............................................................................................ 10 5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 10 5.2 Eradication (Class A) ............................................................................................ 10 5.3 Controlling growth and spread (Class B) ............................................................... 11 5.4 Preventing introduction (Class C) .......................................................................... 12 6. Eradication and control methods ................................................................................... 13 6.1 General ................................................................................................................. 13 6.1.1 Integrated weed control ................................................................................... 13 6.1.2 Property weed management planning and mapping ........................................ 13 6.1.3 Timing weed control ........................................................................................ 13 6.2 Chemical control ................................................................................................... 14 6.2.1 Disclaimers...................................................................................................... 14 6.2.2 Aerial spraying ................................................................................................ 16 6.2.3 Soil applied herbicides .................................................................................... 16 6.2.4 Foliar spraying ................................................................................................. 16 6.2.5 Basal bark application ..................................................................................... 16 6.2.6 Cut stump application ...................................................................................... 16 Weed Management Plan for Mimosa (Mimosa pigra) 2 6.3 Non-chemical control ............................................................................................ 17 6.3.1 Physical removal ............................................................................................. 17 6.3.2 Stick raking...................................................................................................... 17 6.3.3 Chaining .......................................................................................................... 17 6.3.4 Chopper rolling ................................................................................................ 17 6.3.5 Mulching .......................................................................................................... 17 6.3.6 Grazing ........................................................................................................... 17 6.4 Fire management .................................................................................................. 17 6.4.1 Pasture management .....................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Controlling Invasion of the Exotic Shrub (Mimosa Pigra) in Tropical Australian Wetlands
    Controlling invasion of the exotic shrub (Mimosa pigra) in tropical Australian wetlands Michelle Marko Introduction to exotics in Australia Exotics have been introduced to Australia since the time of European settlement, beginning in the 1800s. Whether deliberately or accidentally introduced, some species such as feral cats (Felis catus), the cane toad (Bufo marinus), athel trees (Tamarix aphyllabitou) and the bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera), have wrought devastation. The majority of exotics have little impact on the natural ecosystem, but those that do (between 2-40 %) are aggressive invaders that can successfully compete for niches previously occupied by native species. Many exotics not currently problematic have the potential to cause serious damage in the future (Hobbs and Humphries 1995). These exotics negatively modify the richness and abundance of other species and therefore alter the function of the natural ecosystems (Storrs and Lonsdale 1995). In Australia, about 15% of the overall vascular flora are naturalized alien species, which is estimated to be 15,000-20,000 species (Environment Australia 1998). The Northern Territory, with around 4-5 % weeds, has the lowest percentage of any state or territory in Australia. However, in the Northern Territory, Sida sp., salvinia (Salvinia molesta), Hyptis suaveolens, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), and giant sensitive plant (Mimosa pigra) are considered major threats (CSIRO 1997). Mimosa pigra, in particular, is considered one of Australia's worst weeds of conservation. In this paper, I will discuss methods to control Mimosa pigra and some areas of future research. Invasiveness of Mimosa pigra Mimosa pigra L. (Mimosaceae) poses a tremendous threat to agriculture, the conservation of wetlands and land use practices of the Aboriginal people of Australia (Braithwaite et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Zootaxa, Carmenta Chromolaenae Eichlin, a New Species (Lepidoptera
    Zootaxa 2288: 42–50 (2009) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2009 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) Carmenta chromolaenae Eichlin, a new species (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) for the biological control of Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson (Asteraceae) THOMAS D. EICHLIN1, OONA S. DELGADO3, LORRAINE W. STRATHIE2, COSTAS ZACHARIADES2, & JOSE CLAVIJO3 11367 E. Washington Ave., Gilbert, Arizona 85234, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 2Agricultural Research Council-Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X6006, Hilton, SOUTH AFRICA. E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] 3 Museo del Instituto de Zoologia Agricola, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Maracay, VENEZUELA. E-mail: [email protected] & [email protected] Abstract A new species of Sesiidae, Carmenta chromolaenae Eichlin, is described to make the name available to researchers evaluating the moth's potential for biological control of its host plant, Chromolaena odorata, in South Africa and other parts of the plant's invasive range. This clearwing moth species was reared from the host plant in Venezuela. The adult moth, including the male and female genitalia, larva, and pupa are described and illustrated. Its biology and possible use as a control agent are discussed. Key words: Sesiidae, Carmenta, new species, description, Venezuela, South Africa, biological control, host plant, biology, genitalia, larva, pupa Introduction During efforts to discover herbivores of the perennial woody shrub Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson (Asteraceae), an undescribed species of Carmenta (Sesiidae) was reared. The host plant is commonly referred to as “chromolaena,” “Siam weed,” or “Jack in the bush” and is native to the subtropics and tropics of the Americas.
    [Show full text]
  • Perforadores Del Fruto Del Cacao (Theobroma Cacao L.), Presentes En La Región Costera Del Estado Aragua, Venezuela
    ENTOMOTROPICA ISSN 1317-5262 Vol. 20(2): 97-111. Agosto/August 2005. Caracterización morfológica de los Sesiidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) perforadores del fruto del cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), presentes en la región costera del estado Aragua, Venezuela. Nereida Delgado Puchi Instituto de Zoología Agrícola, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Central de Venezuela. Resumen Delgado Puchi N. 2005. Caracterización morfológica de los Sesiidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) perforadores del fruto del cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), presentes en la región costera del estado Aragua, Venezuela. Entomotropica 20(2): 97-111. Se realizó la descripción de las fases adulta e inmaduras de Carmenta theobromae (Busck, 1910) y C. foraseminis Eichlin 1995 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) perforadores del fruto del cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) en la región costera del estado Aragua. Los ejemplares fueron obtenidos a partir de frutos de cacao perforado, colectados del Banco de Germoplasma del INIA-Ocumare de la Costa y de la Hacienda La Sabaneta (Choroní) entre 2000-2003. La cría en condiciones de laboratorio, permitió describir las fases de huevo, larva, pupa y adulto de cada especie. Los caracteres que diferencian a los adultos son: Color de las escamas del vértice, frente, alas y abdomen, número de bandas longitudinales en el mesonoto, color de los palpos maxilares y de las coxas anteriores. Los huevos se diferencian por el color, forma, tamaño, y la textura del corión. Las larvas del último instar, presentaron diferencias en los siguientes caracteres: color del cuerpo, el ancho cefálico, forma del escudo torácico, color de las setas abdominales, del escudo anal y el grado de fotofobia. La fase de pupa presentó el mayor número de caracteres diagnóstico para diferenciar ambas especies.
    [Show full text]
  • The CSIRO Mexican Field Station: History and Current Activities
    The CSIRO Mexican Field Station: history and current activities Ricardo Segura P.L.1 and Tim A. Heard2 Summary Many weeds in Australia have their origins in the neotropical America, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Islands and South America. The CSIRO Mexican Field Station, located at Veracruz on the gulf coast of Mexico, conducts research on plants native to tropical America, which are weeds in the tropical northern parts of Australia and other countries. The major focus is to find biological control agents and to investigate various aspects of plant and insect ecology. The station has been operating continuously since 1984. Currently, the major target weeds are Mimosa pigra, Sida spp., Jatropha gossypiifolia, Hyptis suaveolens, Parkinsonia aculeata and Argemone spp. Through the work of the Mexican Field Station, 14 agents have been released in Australia against four weed targets. Keywords: Argemone spp., field surveys, Hyptis suaveolens, Jatropha gossypiifolia, Mimosa pigra, neotropical America, Parkinsonia aculeata, Sida spp. History where the target weeds occur. Surveys on mimosa and hyptis that had commenced in Brazil were continued The Entomology Division of Australia’s Common- and new projects were initiated on Sida spp. In January wealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 1987, the Station was transferred to Boca del Rio, (CSIRO Entomology) has long been involved in weed Veracruz State, Mexico (lat. 19°08.6'N, long. biocontrol. From the late 1960s, CSIRO Entomology 96°07.0'W, elevation 33 m). Since then, Ricardo has conducted surveys for potential biological control Segura has been the Officer-in-Charge. Wendy Forno agents of weeds from the Americas.
    [Show full text]
  • A Risk Assessment of the Tropical Wetland Weed Mimosa Pigra in Northern Australia
    supervising scientist IUU repor t e2risk2ssessment of2the2tropil2wetlnd weed2wimos2pigr in2northern2eustrli h2ldenD22vn2hmD w2pinlysonD2w2torrsD t2vowry282h2uritios D Walden – Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801, Australia R van Dam – Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801, Australia M Finlayson – Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801, Australia M Storrs – Northern Land Council, PO Box 42921, Casuarina NT 0811, Australia J Lowry – Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801, Australia D Kriticos – Forest Research, PB 3020, Rotorua, New Zealand This report should be cited as follows: Walden D, van Dam R, Finlayson M, Storrs M, Lowry J & Kriticos D 2004. A risk assessment of the tropical wetland weed Mimosa pigra in northern Australia. Supervising Scientist Report 177, Supervising Scientist, Darwin NT. The Supervising Scientist is part of the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage. © Commonwealth of Australia 2004 Supervising Scientist Department of the Environment and Heritage GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801 Australia ISSN 1325-1554 ISBN 0 642 24390 5 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Supervising Scientist. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to Publications Inquiries, Supervising Scientist, GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801. e-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.deh.gov.au/ssd (www.deh.gov.au/ssd/publications) The views and opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect those of the Commonwealth of Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • Managing Invasive Species in Australia Success Stories
    Managing invasive species in Australia Success stories Biological control of mimosa continue to grow. An advantage of the mimosa program The larvae of Carmenta is that once the biological control agents have established mimosa damage mimosa and become widespread, they will combine well with by boring into its stems, Moths, weevils and beetles are helping to reduce conventional control methods such as herbicides, often causing the death the impact of an invasive weed affecting the Top of the stem above the point bulldozing, grazing and fire. Mimosa control will always of entry. Photo: Weeds End of the Northern Territory. require a combination of activities and management plans Branch, NT Department for the weed need to make the best use of all the available of Infrastructure, Planning The plant Mimosa pigra, native to tropical America, has tools, both biological and conventional. and Environment become a devastating invasive weed in Australia. Growing to a height of six metres, mimosa forms impenetrable spiny thickets along riverbanks and floodplains, preventing access to water, reducing biodiversity and pasture production, and restricting traditional land-use practices. The plant was first introduced to the Darwin Botanic Gardens more than 100 years ago. It was recorded in the Darwin region from the 1890s and near the township of Adelaide River in 1952, and by the 1990s it had spread to cover some 800 square kilometres in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Effective control of mimosa has been difficult because of the extent of infestations, the aggressive nature of the plant and the type of terrain where it occurs.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Studies on Control of Mimosa Pigra in Vietnam
    Preliminary studies on control of Mimosa pigra in Vietnam Nguyen Hong Son,1 Pham Van Lam,1 Nguyen Van Cam,1 Dang Vu Thi Thanh,1 Nguyen Van Dung,2 Le Duc Khanh3 and Irene Wendy Forno4 Abstract The noxious exotic weed mimosa, Mimosa pigra L., infests many locations in Vietnam. In the past, it has invaded wet and sunny areas such as flooded pasture, canals, river banks and along roadsides causing problems to traffic, irrigation and cultivation activities of farmers. More recently, mimosa has invaded some national parks. One of them, Tram Chim National Park, is a Ramsar Wetland, and the biggest wetland conservation zone in Vietnam. It is facing serious threat from mimosa. At Tram Chin National Park, unmanaged mimosa has increased in area from 150 ha in 1999 to 490 ha in 2,000 and 1,000 ha in 2001. Other national parks and lakes in the north, like Cuc Phuong and Thac Ba, are threatened due to the spread of mimosa in the flooding season. These infestations are causing a decline in plant and animal populations. In response to invasion by mimosa, the National Institute of Plant Protection has conducted research on physical, manual, biological and chemical control measures since 1995. This paper reviews the current status of mimosa invasion, its impact on the ecosystem, and the control measures employed, with the emphasis on herbicide application, in Vietnam. Keywords: mimosa, invasion, manual control, biological control, herbicide application, control costs, impacts. Introduction invaded different ecosystems, especially along riverbanks and wetland national parks. Stretching from 8°N to 23°N with a variable On agricultural land, the invasion by mimosa topography and climate characteristics, Vietnam has not been of much concern because farmers has favourable conditions for the development of have to apply seasonal weed control practices like tropical weeds.
    [Show full text]
  • Mimosa Pigra Dieback in the Northern Territory, Australia: Investigation Into Possible Causes
    Mimosa pigra dieback in the Northern Territory, Australia: Investigation into possible causes Aniline D. Sacdalan Master of Science in Biology A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2015 School of Agriculture and Food Sciences Abstract In this study, Mimosa pigra dieback is described as plants or population of plants which appeared to suffer from ill health, death of their growing points and the emergence of green reshoots coming from the base. Dieback is an important phenomenon, not only in many crops and natural forests worldwide, but also in many invasive trees and shrubs in Australia. The dieback phenomenon is thought to be caused by complex and interacting factors and causes are often difficult to disentangle. In some cases it is a result of an interaction between both biotic and abiotic factors. Since 1988, dieback has been widely observed in Mimosa pigra L. (Fabaceae), a woody shrub that is one of the most serious exotic invaders of floodplains and riparian areas in the Top End of the Northern Territory. However, there has been no conclusive evidence of links between M. pigra dieback and specific causal factors. In addition, the dieback phenomenon has not been previously quantified. This thesis aimed to describe M. pigra dieback phenomenon at plant and population levels and its effect on plant growth, survival and demography. Specifically, the aim of this thesis was to evaluate the role of biotic factors (insect borers and fungal pathogens), and abiotic factors (soil pH and salinity), in relation to the development of M.
    [Show full text]
  • Host Range Testing Techniques for Parasitoids and Predators 41
    ________________________________ Host range testing techniques for parasitoids and predators 41 HOST RANGE TESTING TECHNIQUES FOR PARASITOIDS AND PREDATORS D. Sands1 and R.G. Van Driesche2 1Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Entomology, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia 2Department of Entomology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.A. INTRODUCTION Information on the host range of parasitoids and predators intended for use as biological control agents is needed so that harm to nontarget native species is unlikely to occur after an agent is intro- duced to countries outside its native range. Information useful in forming estimates of host ranges may be obtained from the taxonomic placement of the agent and its known hosts, field observations made in an agent’s native range, or data from laboratory host range tests. For many years, classical biological weed control programs have routinely conducted laboratory host range tests on exotic agents before they are released. At first, these efforts were intended only to avoid damage to economi- cally important plants, such as crops or species used as ornamentals. Later, testing programs evolved to include the goal of also protecting non-economic native flora, especially species closely related to the target weed (Wapshere, 1974; Harley, 1979; Withers, 1999, Pemberton, 2000). The efficacy of the methods used to forecast host ranges of weed biological control agents varies and these are still under- going further development (Hill, 1999; Palmer, 1999). Until the 1980s, parasitoids or predators were not subjected to laboratory host range tests unless they were thought able to attack beneficial organisms (Ertle, 1993). In the 1990s, use of host range tests to assess safety of parasitoids and predators became recognized as essential for sound future work (Van Driesche and Hoddle, 1997), in view of claims that harm had occurred to native insects (Howarth, 1991; Simberloff and Stiling, 1996).
    [Show full text]
  • General News
    News 81N General News Mimosa Leaves Niche for of fungal pathogens, and it has been the task and would further reduce the degree of New Agents of the biocontrol programme to select the shading beneath stands, whilst also reducing most promising of these and screen them seedling regeneration, hastening the A leaf-feeding geometrid moth, Macaria for introduction. Eleven insect and two replacement of mimosa with native vegeta- pallidata (= Xenoecista pallidata), released pathogen species have been released to date tion. in Northern Territory in September this [see also BNI 20(1), 6N-7N (March 1999), A chrysomelid beetle (Malacorhinus irreg- year is the latest in a long line of biocontrol Preventing wetland wipe-out]. ularis) from Mexico was one such candi- agents introduced into Australia against One agent, the leaf-beetle Chlamisus date. It has an adult leaf-feeding stage, but Mimosa pigra (mimosa or giant sensitive mimosae (introduced in 1985), only estab- its soil-dwelling larvae feed on various plant). In addition to the promise this agent lished on one river system and has had only plant parts, particularly seedlings and ger- holds, encouraging results reported for pre- minimal impact on mimosa. The impacts of minating seeds. Adult beetles were shown viously released agents suggest that the sus- a flower-feeding weevil (Coelocephalapion to prefer young, growing leaves. For larvae, tained biocontrol programme against pigrae, introduced in 1994) and a seed- survival to adult was best on seedlings, with mimosa is paying off. feeding bruchid (Acanthoscelides puniceus, the cotyledons preferred by all larval Mimosa currently occupies some 850 km2 introduced in 1983), which are widespread stages.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact Evaluation of Weed Biological Control Agents
    This document was originally published on the website of the CRC for Australian Weed Management, which was wound up in 2008. To preserve the technical information it contains, the department is republishing this document. Due to limitations in the CRC’s production process, however, its content may not be accessible for all users. Please contact the department’s Weed Management Unit if you require more assistance. #1 Impact evaluation of weed biological control agents What is impact evaluation? Impact evaluation of biological control agents is performed either before or after their release in the introduced range of the target weed. Pre-release impact evaluation is carried out in laboratories and glasshouses or in the field in the weed’s native range Best practice guide practice Best to predict impact of candidate agents on individual plants or populations and to assist in selection of the most promising agents. Post-release impact evaluation measures the effectiveness of agents Post-release impact evaluation is crucial to understanding the overall success rate of a biological in reducing target weed populations • control program. Here the effects of grazing, herbicides and biological control agents (Longitarsus Impact evaluation of weed biological control agents agents control weed biological of evaluation Impact in the introduced range and quantifies echii and Mogulones larvatus) are being monitored on Paterson’s curse. the benefits for associated plant Photo: CSIRO communities, ecosystems, the economy and society in general. program, ultimate success can only and improve efficiency and effectiveness In some instances, the direct effects be demonstrated by undertaking post- of future programs for other weeds.
    [Show full text]
  • 14AWC 0.Indb
    Fourteenth Australian Weeds Conference Biological control in the Top End: getting communities involved Nicole Ostermeyer1,2, Blair Grace1,2, Merrilyn Paskins1, Vanessa McIntyre1 and Bronwyn Routley1 1 Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, PO Box 30, Palmerston, Northern Territory 0831, Australia 2 CRC for Australian Weed Management Summary Two programs have been set up to increase The Biocontrol Section of the Weed Management community awareness and involvement in the biologi- Branch in the NT Department of Infrastructure Plan- cal control of weeds in the Top End of the Northern ning and Environment (DIPE) has started two com- Territory. munity involvement programs. These aim to increase One focuses on the redistribution of the stem- community understanding of weed issues, especially boring moth, carmenta (Carmenta mimosa Eichlin biocontrol. Equally importantly, they aim to increase & Passoa) against mimosa ( Mimosa pigra L.). Nine the distribution and density of key agents with the help community groups have attended workshops and of the community. fi eld trips and four release sites have been established This paper describes these community educa- using a simple release method, which can be eas- tion and involvement programs funded by the CRC ily implemented in isolated communities. The other for Australian Weed Management and the Natural aims to educate school children about weed issues by Heritage Trust. having them rear and release a biocontrol agent. Nine schools involving 14 classes have reared and released COMMUNITY REDISTRIBUTION OF two agents: the leaf-feeding moth macaria (Macaria CARMENTA pallidata Warren) against mimosa and calligrapha The tropical American shrub mimosa (Mimosa pigra (Calligrapha pantherina Stål), the leaf-feeding beetle L.) has spread throughout the world’s tropical wetlands which has been successful against sida ( Sida acuta where it can form impenetrable, nearly monospecifi c Burm).
    [Show full text]