Queensland the Smart State Part 1 Introduction Technical highlights Technical highlights Invasive plant and animal research 2006–07 PR07–3283 Research conducted by: Invasive Plant and Animal Science Biosecurity Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries at: Alan Fletcher Research Station Sherwood, Brisbane, Queensland Robert Wicks Pest Animal Research Centre Toowoomba and Inglewood, Queensland Tropical Weeds Research Centre Charters Towers and South Johnstone, Queensland Important note This report contains incomplete information and does not constitute and official medium for the publication of results. Information herein should not be quoted without permission of the authors concerned. Herbicide trial results reported here are provided for information only and do not constitute a formal recommendation. Before using or advising on the use of herbicides, please read the product label for rates and methods of application or contact the Animal and Plant Health Service, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland for current approved usage (www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23 for more details). Cover photographs (clockwise from top) Jim Thompson amongst a cat’s claw creeper infestation at Gympie Wild dog with satellite tracking collar Pond apple seedlings on a beach Leaf tying pyralid moth Hypocosmia pyrochroma—biocontrol agent for cat’s claw creeper For copies of this report contact: Alan Fletcher Research Station 27 Magazine Street, Sherwood PO Box 36, Sherwood, Qld, 4075 Ph: +61 7 3375 0700 Email: [email protected] Website: www.dpi.qld.gov.au The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) seeks to maximise the economic potential of Queensland’s primary industries on a sustainable basis. While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained in this report. © The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 2008 Copyright protects this material. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth), reproduction by any means (photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise), making available online, electronic transmission or other publication of this material is prohibited without the prior written permission of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland. Address inquiries to: Intellectual Property and Commercialisation Unit Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 or [email protected] Tel: +61 7 3404 6999 ii Message from the Director-General Technical Highlights is an important annual publication that provides an update on current research undertaken by the State Government on priority weeds and pest animals in Queensland. Since the last edition, the research team has moved from the Department of Natural Resources and Water to Biosecurity Queensland, a business group within the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. The group is now known as Invasive Plant and Animal Science and fits within the broader Biosecurity Science management group. Biosecurity Queensland is responsible for coordinating the Queensland Governments’ efforts to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from pests and diseases that threaten the economy and environment. As such, research undertaken on priority weeds and pest animals fits clearly within the charter of Biosecurity Queensland. It is essential that we understand how best to prevent the introduction of new pests into the state, how to eradicate recently introduced pests and how to manage pests that are established over large areas. The research group continues to make notable advances in their field. For example, in the area of incursion management we now have models to determine progress towards eradication of targeted species. Our knowledge on the ecology and biology of several priority weeds and pest animals continues to improve and this contributes directly to management efforts. This research group is also well known for its research on the biocontrol of weeds and I am pleased to see this work expand through additional funding from industry and the Blueprint for the Bush Pest Offensive. In particular, new agents on cat’s claw creeper and lantana were recently approved for release and new research programs have commenced for bellyache bush and prickly acacia. This research benefits through collaboration with other research providers and funding bodies. All levels of government (federal, state and local) contribute to many of the projects. I would particularly like to extend the department’s thanks to the many landholders, local government staff, and community and regional body representatives who provide vital assistance when required. Without their help much of this research would not be possible. The Invasive Plant and Animal Science group has a history of delivering applied and practical research for Queensland and I look forward to their continued achievements as part of Biosecurity Queensland. I hope that all science staff are now settled into their new environment and I commend them for the professional way that they continue to improve the management of invasive pests in Queensland. Jim Varghese Director-General Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Technical highlights: Invasive plant and animal research 2006–07 iii Contents Message from the Director-General, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland. iii Part 1 Introduction Principal Scientist’s report . 1 Summary of achievements . 3 External funding 2006–07 . 5 Part 2 Landscape protection and restoration Weed eradication feasibility and program evaluation. 6 Ecology of wet tropics weeds . 8 Environmental weed ecology . 11 Ecology of bird dispersed weeds . 13 Mimosa (Mimosa pigra) research . 15 Water weed management, WONS and class 1 plant pests . 16 Biological control of lantana (Lantana camara) . 18 Biological control of cat’s claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati) . 19 Biological control of Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) . 22 Biological control of chromolaena (Chromolaena odorata) in Papua New Guinea . 23 Biological control of two weeds in East Timor . 25 Biological control of mikania vine (Mikania micrantha) in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. 26 Part 3 Integrated weed management Integrated management of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) in northern Queensland. 28 Integrated management of parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata) . 29 Understanding grader grass (Themeda quadrivalvis) ecology for improved management. 31 Parthenium chemical trial . 33 Aerial control of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) . 34 Evaluating the risk of off-target damage through the application of chemicals to control . 35 hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) Biological control of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus). 36 Biological control of prickly acacia (Acacia nilotica ssp. indica) . 38 Biological control of weedy sporobolus grasses . 40 Biological control of mother-of-millions (Bryophyllum spp.) . 42 Biological control of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) . 43 Bioevaluation of rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora)—impacts of biological control agents on . 45 rubber vine and associated ecosystems Bioevaluation of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) . 47 iv Part 4 Pest animal management Best practice baiting—dispersal and seasonal movement of wild dogs (Canis familaris) . 48 Monitoring impact of 1080 canid baiting on spotted-tail quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) . 50 Feral pig (Sus scrofa) impacts on freshwater ecosystems. 52 Diet and trapping strategies of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in tropical rainforests . 53 Development of cyanide bait for rapid disease sampling and surveillance . 54 of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) Effective 1080 meat baiting for feral pigs (Sus scrofa) . 56 Target specificity of feral pig (Sus scrofa) meat baits . 58 Adaptive management of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) . 58 Effective and safe rodent management . 61 Part 5 Research services Refinement of a 1080 bait degradation model . 63 Preparation of cyanide ejector registration package . 65 Pest management chemistry . 67 Appendixes 1. Acronyms . 69 2. Symbols and units of measurement . 69 3. Pesticide trade names, active ingredients, concentrations and manufacturers . 70 4. Staff listings . 70 5. Publications . 74 6. Presentations . 78 List of species 85 Technical highlights: Invasive plant and animal research 2006–07 v vi Part 1 Introduction Principal Scientist’s report Machinery-of-government changes The Pest Management Research Group, now called Invasive Plant and Animal Science, has gone through significant changes in the last year. All land protection functions (including research) previously undertaken within the Department of Natural Resources and Water are now part of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. We are located within the Biosecurity Queensland business group and have joined with other science groups in a unit called Biosecurity Science. Our research supports the Invasive Plants and Animals Program. Our core functions continue through four key programs: Pest animal management, Integrated weed management, Landscape protection and restoration, and Research services. Over the coming year we will develop a Biosecurity Queensland strategic plan and a science strategy, incorporating our research activities and providing direction for the future. Our achievements