Technical highlights - Department of Primary Industries ...

14. Biological control of Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia)
Project dates
June 2007 – June 2013
Project leader
Dr Bill Palmer
Ecosciences Precinct
Tel: (07) 3255 4469
Email: bill.palmer@deedi.qld.gov.au
Other staff in 2010–11
Wilmot Senaratne, Liz Snow and
Peter Jones
Objective
Achieve biological control of Madeira
vine by introducing and releasing exotic
insect species or pathogens.
Rationale
Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia)
is a South American plant that has
become an increasingly important
environmental weed in eastern
Australia. This vigorous perennial
climber or scrambling shrub forms
dense mats that cover trees and shrubs
and it is now a problem weed in
rainforests, riparian lands, bushland
remnants and conservation areas. It is
the only naturalised plant in the family
Basellaceae in Australia, so there is
a good chance that biological control
agents found in its native range would
be sufficiently host-specific for safe
release. However, one exotic species
from this family, Ceylon spinach (Basella
alba), is grown in gardens in southeastern
Queensland. South African
scientists led by Dr Stefan Neser have
identified some promising agents, which
were made available to this project.
Methods
Surveys for suitable biological control
agents of Madeira vine are conducted
in Argentina and Brazil by Dr Stefan
Neser from the ARC-PPRI, South Africa.
We import those insects considered
suitable, mainly as a result of host
testing undertaken in South Africa, into
quarantine facilities in Australia for
final host-specificity testing and biology
studies. We also develop climatematching
models for prospective agents.
We then seek approval from the relevant
regulatory authorities to release any
suitable agents. Approved agents are then
mass-reared for distribution to climatically
favourable areas. Following release,
we monitor establishment progress and
evaluate any effects of the agents.
Progress in 2010–11
Host-specificity testing of the Madeira
vine leaf beetle (Plectonycha correntina)
concluded in late 2009 and showed that
the beetle could use only Madeira vine
as a host. The release of P. correntina
for the biological control of Madeira
vine was therefore recommended
in a report submitted to Australian
regulatory authorities in December
2009. The case for this insect was the
first to be processed through Biosecurity
Australia’s new protocols for biological
control agents.
In early 2011, both regulatory
authorities approved the submissions,
and the insect was released from
quarantine in April 2011.
Mass-rearing of the insect commenced
immediately within non-quarantine
glasshouses at the Ecosciences Precinct.
The insect was reared most satisfactorily
in these facilities and produced sufficient
numbers to begin field releases.
By June 2011, we had released over 2000
beetles, primarily in the western suburbs
of Brisbane. Due to the approaching
winter, this was not an optimal time for
insect survival. However, these releases
will help us gain a better understanding
of the insect’s overwintering capabilities.
We have also provided adult beetles to
the New South Wales Government
Department of Primary Industries. This
is to establish a mass-rearing program at
the Grafton research station to provide
insects for release in New South Wales.
Dr Neser made a further exploratory trip
to South America in the hope of finding
populations of the leaf beetle Phenrica sp.
or other potential biocontrol agents,
but no insect species was forthcoming.
It would be highly desirable to begin
research on a second agent to supplement
P. correntina eventually.
Photo 14.1 Experimentalist Liz Snow releases P. correntina on a Brookfield property with very
heavy Madeira vine infestation
Part 2 Landscape protection and restoration 31