Identifying biocontrol agents for priority weed species

Importation, rearing and field release of the Cape Broom Psyllid

This work identified the Cape broom psyllid as a potential biological control agent and studied its biology to develop testing protocols. The psyllid is abundant on Cape broom in the western Mediterranean, has several generations per year and can cause high levels of reduction in leaf area and reduced flowering (Sheppard 2000). Host-specificity testing was completed via Weeds CRC1 funding for a list approved by Biosecurity Australia in 2002. However, a South (more)...

Enhancing Noogoora Burr biocontrol in northern Australia

This project investigated ways to improve the biollgical control of the highly invasive weed Noogoora Burr (Xanthium occidentale). The project was designed to assemble the necessary information to support an application to release additional strains of the Noogoora Burr rust fungus to enhance the impact of biological control in northern Australia. The introduction of additional exotic rust strains better adapted to tropical conditions is being investigated as a means of controlling Noogoora (more)...

Boneseed Rust: A highly promising candidate for biological control

This project investigated the use of Endophyllum osteospermi (a systemic rust fungus) in the biological control of boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera). This systemic South African rust fungus has been found to reduce growth and the reproduction of plants by causing extensive deformation of infected branches (witches’ broom). Boneseed is a Weed of National Significance, which occurs mainly in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. (more)...

Importation and release of a new biological control agent for Scotch Broom

This project introduced and tested a new biocontrol agent, currently available in New Zealand, to better control the invasive Weed of National Significance, Scotch Broom/

Improving management of Salvinia in temperate aquatic ecosystems

This project is designed to improve understanding of the invasion by the aquatic weed salvinia, a Weed of National Significance in temperate regions, and to test biocontrol agents showing promise for controlling it in non-tropical areas. The project team investigated the effects of salvinia invasion and control methods on the Hawkesbury-Nepean River ecosystem in terms of plant species biodiversity. They also assessed the augmentive releases of biocontrol agents as a new method tailored to temperate (more)...

Development of new biocontrol agents for Parkinsonia

Parkinsonia is a Weed of National Significance (WONs) due to its impacts on the environment and agricultural production. Biological control of this weed is considered essential for its long term management. Classical biological control consists of introducing safe and effective natural enemies of the plant from its native range. A thorough understanding of the fauna of a target weed is essential information for a biocontrol project to proceed. In this project, the understanding of the (more)...

Biological control and ecology of Alligator Weed

This project investigated the potential use of biological control agents to assist
in the management of alligator weed in Australia. This was achieved through:

1. testing the host specificity of two herbivorous insects for potential use
   as biological control agents,
2. completing ecological studies to better understand alligator weed in order
   to develop and promote more effective methods of control.