Technical highlights - Department of Primary Industries ...

15. Biological control of lantana (Lantana camara)
Project dates
Ongoing
Project leaders
Michael Day
Ecosciences Precinct
Tel: (07) 3255 4453
Email: michael.day@deedi.qld.gov.au
Catherine Lockett
Ecosciences Precinct (until December 2010)
Tel: (07) 3255 4456
Email: catherine.lockett@deedi.qld.gov.au
Other staff in 2010–11
Natasha Riding and Kelli Pukallus
Objective
Import, evaluate host-specificity of,
mass-rear, field-release and monitor
biological control agents for lantana.
Rationale
Lantana (Lantana camara) is native
to tropical America and was first
introduced into Australia in the mid-
1800s. It has since become a major
weed of agricultural and natural
ecosystems. In grazing lands, lantana
dominates preferred pasture species
(thereby decreasing productivity) and
also interferes with mustering. Some
varieties are toxic to livestock. It is
estimated that this weed costs the
grazing industry over $100 million
each year in lost production and control
expenses. Lantana can become the
dominant understorey species in natural
ecosystems, blocking succession and
decreasing biodiversity. Lantana is a
Class 3 declared weed in Queensland
and has been the target of biocontrol
programs since 1914. Introducing new
and more effective biocontrol agents
further enhances control of lantana and
reduces dependency on chemicals and
other control methods.
Methods
We contract entomologists and
pathologists in Mexico, South Africa and
Europe to locate and study the biology,
phenotype preference and preliminary
host-specificity of potential biocontrol
agents prior to their introduction into
quarantine in Australia.
Figure 15.1 Current distribution of O. camarae in Queensland
We then determine the host-specificity
of imported organisms. Any agents
approved for field release are massreared
and released in appropriate areas
with the help of Biosecurity Queensland,
DERM and local government field staff.
Progress in 2010–11
The lantana herringbone leaf-mining
fly (Ophiomyia camarae) continues to be
mass-reared at TWRC for field-release.
However, field-releases in south-eastern
Queensland have stopped, since the fly
appears to be more suited to tropical
regions. Leaf mines have been found at
more than 200 sites from Cooktown to
Shoalwater Bay, with insects moving up to
50 km away from some release sites. There
has been substantial defoliation of lantana
bushes around Cooktown and Ayr. In
south-eastern Queensland, the fly has been
found in low numbers at only a few sites.
Here, apart from having to cope with
the cooler conditions, the fly has to
compete with other biocontrol agents,
particularly Calycomyza lantanae and
Uroplata girardi.
To comply with Australian regulatory
authorities, we contracted ARC-PPRI to
conduct host-specificity testing of the
lantana budmite (Aceria lantanae). The
studies found the budmite was sufficiently
specific to release. We have now gained
approval from Biosecurity Australia to
release the budmite. Approval from the
Australian Government Department
of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population and Communities is pending.
Part 2 Landscape protection and restoration 33
Cairns
Townsville
Mackay
O. camarae established
O. camarae release sites
major towns
Rockhampton
Bundaberg
Gympie
Brisbane