ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE INVASIVE SPECIES Biocontrol agents fast-tracked The war on parthenium – and “Through this project, we aimed to “We conducted 10 field collections at its spread from Queensland fast-track the spread and establishment 19 sites in central Queensland and the into northern NSW – has of other successful agents from central collected agents were redistributed been fast-tracked via the Queensland into the southern parts across 20 sites in southern Australian Government and of the state.” Queensland,” he said. MLA-managed weed biocontrol The most widespread and effective “To complement field collections, research program. agents in central Queensland biocontrol agents were also earmarked for redistribution were: mass-reared at facilities at the Project leader Dr Kunjithapatham • seed-feeding weevils Ecosciences Precinct and field-released Dhileepan, Principal Entomologist • stem-boring weevils across 25 sites.” with Biosecurity Queensland, said the toxic weed was spreading into areas • root-boring moths Dr Dhileepan said, in contrast to where widespread, effective biocontrol • winter rust conventional biocontrol programs, agents had yet to extend. • summer rust. where establishment of agents can take years, this accelerated redistribution “In south and south-east Queensland, Dr Dhileepan said to achieve this, the project has recorded widespread the stem-galling Epiblema moth, project run by Queensland Department success after only two years. the leaf-feeding Zygogramma of Agriculture and Fisheries worked beetle and winter rust are the only with producers, Landcare and other Dr Kunjithapatham Dhileepan agents known to have established stakeholders to identify 30 potential E: k.dhileepan@daf.qld.gov.au successfully,” he said. release sites in southern Queensland. Multi-pronged attack Beef producer Trevor “The biocontrol agents are helping “However, it is slow, and the rust in Holland (pictured right) its decline by making it vulnerable to particular comes and goes and seems credits biocontrol agents, pathogens which make it less resilient to work best before winter sets in. combined with the aggressive to competition from other plants such “The parthenium ebbs and flows with spread of Indian couch grass, as the couch.” the seasons but it’s nowhere near as with the arrest of parthenium’s As part of the Australian Government bad as it was.” rampant spread on his and MLA jointly funded parthenium Before having access to biological properties at Wycarbah near biocontrol project, Trevor welcomed the control options, Trevor used release of seven biocontrol agents on tomechanical means and herbicide to Gracemere, Queensland. a 100m² test site on one of his properties.keep parthenium at bay. “It was a big problem here but it’s “The agents, which included several “I still spray around waterways where nowhere near as bad as it was. The insects and rust, have spread up to cattle need access and focus on Indian couch, while it’s not the best feed,one kilometre and you can see their those six weeks from germination to is choking a lot of it out,” Trevor said.retarding effects on the plant,” he said.flowering for best results,” he said. SNAPSHOT:Trevor Holland, Wycarbah, Queenslandl Enterprise: Livestock: Pasture: Soil: Rainfall: Beef production Droughtmaster Spear grass and forage Black soils, forest 625mm breeding herd crops (sorghum, oats) country, creek flats and sandy loam 34