Biosecurity, Pest & Disease
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Biosecurity, Pest & Disease
Sudden oak death
This contingency plan provides background information on the pest biology and available control measures to assist with preparedness for an incursion into Australia of Sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum). It provides guidelines and options for steps to be undertaken and considered when developing a Response Plan to this pest. Any Response Plan developed using information in whole or in part from this Contingency Plan must follow procedures as set out in PLANTPLAN and be endorsed by the National Management Group prior to implementation.
This contingency plan was developed for the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia (NGIA), and therefore is focussed on production nurseries covered by this association. In the event of an incursion, operations not covered by the NGIA (e.g. retail nurseries) will not be eligible for Owner Reimbursement Costs, as defined in the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), if affected by actions carried out under the Response Plan.
Soilborne root pathogens in production nurseries
The purpose of this paper is to provide information on destructive soilborne fungal pathogens that can occur in production nurseries, how they can be spread and how they can be managed. Practical application of this knowledge will lead to healthier plants, as well as improved plant growth and greater uniformity. It will also help to minimise biosecurity risks. Several serious soilborne pathogens are being spread around the world with nursery plants. As “best practice” is fundamental to the production of healthy plants, short cuts should never be taken.
Managing silverleaf whitefly in production nurseries
Background and general biology
In general, adult whiteflies are small (about 1 mm in length), white-winged insects. The immature stages are largely immobile, becoming attached to the surface of the leaf soon after hatching. All life stages are found on the undersides of the leaves (Fig. 1) and can be associated with significant economic loss and/or increased costs in production.
Designing an Efficient Pumping System
When considering options for improving pump efficiency, the option of designing a new system should always be investigated. It may be, over time, this will result in greater cost savings than upgrading an existing system. If a pumping system is being designed for a new development, it’s critical that the system be carefully designed to ensure it meets the required capacity, while being the most efficient system possible.
Cylindrocladium diseases of nursery plants
Various species of the fungus Cylindrocladium cause a wide range of destructive diseases in nursery plants and are particularly prevalent in more tropical areas. Cylindrocladium scoparium occurs worldwide, and is the most commonly reported causal agent of Cylindrocladium diseases in Australia, although a number of other species are also important pathogens including Cylindrocladium spathiphylli.
Water Weed Management
Aquatic plants perform a number of beneficial functions in aquatic systems. They help with nutrient buffering, bank stabilisation, sediment trapping, oxygenation of water, providing habitat for various organisms, giving shade, reducing evaporation and keeping water temperatures more stable.
Nursery Production Pest Monitoring, Inspection and Surveillance Methodology
In 2013 NGIA commissioned a project to investigate statistically valid systems and protocols for on-farm monitoring, inspection and surveillance for pests of biosecurity concern within production nurseries. The project, completed in 2014, has investigated national and international information and systems and has developed recommended monitoring, inspection and surveillance protocols that have the highest probability of success. NGIQ Industry Development Manager John McDonald provides details in this Nursery Paper on the key project outcomes for use within production nurseries.
Nematodes in nurseries
Nematodes are a diverse group of microscopic, non-segmented round worms that are tapered at each end. There are over one million species and they have been estimated to account for 80% of all individual animals in the world. About half of all nematode species are parasites of marine animals (e.g. sperm whales), 25% are free-living non-parasitic soil inhabiting nematodes, 15% are animal and human parasites (e.g. heart worm in dogs) and 10% are plant parasites.
Myrtle Rust (Uredo rangelii) Management Plan
Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii) has the potential to infect all myrtaceous plants in both our built (gardens & landscape) and natural environments plus a range of industries (nursery production, timber, cut flower, etc) more likely along the coastline of Australia due to suitable environmental conditions. Under threat from this disease, if it becomes widely established, are a number of identified threatened native plant species across Australia plus a number of endangered wildlife habitat(s) that could have a major impact on our natural biodiversity.
Herbivorous mites A pest management plan for production nurseries
The purpose of this pest management plan is to provide production nurseries with knowledge of the range of mites that commonly can cause damage to plants, how they can be identified and effectively managed. Production nurseries are ideal environments for mite pests because plants are often lush and actively growing. As a result, mite populations can sometimes increase very quickly and produce outbreaks that cause severe damage. There are five major groups of mites that can cause damage to plants: spider mites, tarsonemid mites (e.g. broad mite and cyclamen mite), flat mites, eriophyid mites and astigmatid (bulb) mites.
Mealybugs A pest of a different scale
Mealybugs are a specific type of scale insect from the family Pseudococcidae. They often secrete a thin covering of mealy wax across their body, hence their common name. Like other scale insects, mealybugs are sucking pests that can be present across all of Australia on many host plant species. Some species of mealybugs are very serious pests of particular plant species, others are not. Some species may feed on a large number of host plant species, others only on a small number. Mealybugs are most often present on leaves and stems, particularly in tight, protected spaces. However, some mealybugs feed on roots. For information on other types of scale insects, refer to the scale insect factsheet available on the NGIA website.
Citrus longicorn beetle
This contingency plan provides background information on the pest biology and available control measures to assist with preparedness for an incursion into Australia of the longicorn beetle Anoplophora chinensis. While many species of longicorn beetles occur throughout the world, this document will refer only to this species (referred to by the common name Citrus longicorn beetle) unless otherwise stated. It provides guidelines and options for steps to be undertaken and considered when developing a Response Plan to this pest. Any Response Plan developed using information in whole or in part from this contingency plan must follow procedures as set out in PLANTPLAN and be endorsed by the National Management Group prior to implementation.
Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos spp.): Ink disease
The plant genus Anigozanthos consists of 11 different species which are endemic to Western Australia. Commonly known as kangaroo paw, both species and hybrids are used for domestic and export cut flower production and are also important as ornamental native plants that attract bees, nectar-eating birds and butterflies into the garden.
Several foliar diseases of kangaroo paws are serious enough to make the plants unsellable, but the major foliar disease is ink disease or ink spot. Ink disease may be caused by Alternaria alternata which is a fungal pathogen that has been identified on kangaroo paws plants with ink disease symptoms . The symptoms of ink disease are large black blotches on the leaves.
Designing an Efficient Pumping System
When considering options for improving pump efficiency, the option of designing a new system should always be investigated. It may be, over time, this will result in greater cost savings than upgrading an existing system. If a pumping system is being designed for a new development, it’s critical that the system be carefully designed to ensure it meets the required capacity, while being the most efficient system possible.
Good system design considers all the elements within the pumping system, including how to minimise the need for pumping. Many of the principles used to improve the efficiency of an existing system can be applied to designing a new system, with enhanced opportunities for improving energy efficiency.
Cylindrocladium diseases of nursery plants
Various species of the fungus Cylindrocladium cause a wide range of destructive diseases in nursery plants and are particularly prevalent in more tropical areas. Cylindrocladium scoparium occurs worldwide, and is the most commonly reported causal agent of Cylindrocladium diseases in Australia, although a number of other species are also important pathogens including Cylindrocladium spathiphylli. This nursery paper was prepared by Lindy Coates, Leif Forsberg and Tony Cooke (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Queensland) as part of levy funded project NY11001 Plant health, biosecurity, risk management and capacity building for the nursery industry. It provides an overview of the fungus Cylindrocladium and how to prevent and control this disease of nursery plants.
Cycad Blue Butterfly A pretty name for an ugly problem
Cycad blue butterfly, Theclinesthes onycha, is actually represented by two sub-species that are very similar in appearance. Sub-species capricornia occurs along coastal Queensland from Cape York to about Mackay and Rockhampton. Sub-species onycha occurs from about Rockhampton to as far south as Mt Dromedary, near the NSW-Victoria border. The onycha sub-species occurs along the coast and inland regions, as far west as Carnarvon in Queensland, and Coonabarabran in NSW. Their biology is quite similar, but differences are highlighted in each relevant section below.
Cycad blue butterfly is virtually indistinguishable from wattle blue butterfly (T. miskini), which feeds on many Acacia species, some Corymbia spp., Eucalyptus spp., Atalaya spp. (Sapindaceae), Sesbania spp. and some other species from Fabaceae. In fact, these two species often cannot be identified unless host plant information is available. Overseas, cycad blue butterfly can refer to different species. For example, Chilades pandava in Guam and Asia shares a common name, is closely related and appears very similar to Australian species.
A Changing & Variable Climate
The Australian nursery and garden industry has a lead role to play in managing the effects of climate change and variability upon our urban and natural environments. The industry, through the provision of plant material, has strong linkages with key primary industries throughout Australia which are responsible for providing food and fibre to feed and clothe the world. The production sector also services other key end users including forestry, revegetation providers, landscapers and local government, as well as many involved in developing the Australian urban forest (a term used to describe trees and shrubs on public and private land in and around urban areas).
The Australian Nursery & Garden Industry’s Policy Position on Climate Change and Variability Reducing the Pest Risk
The industry is a significant user of post entry quarantine (PEQ) and ‘approved facilities’ to import new germplasm in various forms, including tissue culture, vegetative cuttings, seed and whole plants. This supports a diverse range of crops in the food, fibre and foliage industries valued at more than fifteen billion dollars nationally. Although the industry has traditionally had a small export focus, the richness of Australian
Flora offers ample opportunity for export growth. To ensure the longevity of the industry and the protection of the Australian environment, plant industries and the wider community, it is essential pest risks are identified, prepared for and effectively managed. These biosecurity responsibilities must be shared equally between governments, industry and the community. Accordingly, the NGI has a lead role to play in the biosecurity continuum through information dissemination, grower education, on-farm management and risk reduction strategies.
Biosecurity – what is it and what does it mean to the nursery and garden industry?
The Nursery and Garden Industry grows and supplies a vast range of plants to many different regions of Australia. Plants grown by the industry are subject to a range of pests across the different climatic regions and environments throughout Australia. It is not just the existing established pests within Australia which the nursery industry should be concerned about. Exotic plant pests not currently known to exist in Australia
are a real threat as well. Fortunately, due to the geographic isolation of Australia, we have had relatively few of the exotic plant pests which have impacted on plant industries overseas such as Sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum). Freedom from these pests is a vital part of the future profitability, productivity and sustainability of Australia’s plant industries and will also help protect the natural environment and
landscape across Australia.
Best Practice Manual for Pesticide Application in the Nursery Indusry
The nursery industry in Australia is very diverse with enterprises ranging from small owner/operator ventures to large multi million dollar commercial businesses. A wide range of plant types are grown, from immature seedlings through to fully mature trees. Some production occurs in glasshouses and shade houses while in other cases stock is grown in open plan production areas. It is in this range of environments that pesticides need to be efficiently and safely applied for the management of pests. The management of pests (insects, pathogens and weeds) is an important part of nursery operations. A wide range of pest management measures is available including chemical, biological, varietal and mechanical measures. All available methods should be used within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program (eg. as described in the AGRILINK kit and Field Identification Guide, “Integrated Pest Management in Ornamentals”). Pesticides are a useful tool for managing pests. The purpose of this manual is to provide information on the effective and safe application of pesticides as part of an integrated pest-management
Asiatic citrus psyllid – a biosecurity threat
The Asiatic citrus psyllid (ACP – Fig. 1), Diaphorina citri, is a major pest of citrus in North and South America, throughout Asia, and some South-Pacific islands (e.g. north-western Papua New Guinea). While ACP may cause damage to flushing citrus in its own right, its role as a vector of huanglongbing (HLB) (also called citrus greening) is of great importance when both are present. This bacterial disease (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) is considered by many to be the most important and damaging disease of citrus in the world and has only two main vectors: ACP and African citrus psyllid, although recent evidence suggests other psyllids (Cacopsylla citrisuga – pomelo psyllid, and Diaphorina communis) can acquire and perhaps transmit the disease 5, 7. None of these psyllid species, nor HLB are currently found in Australia, but would present a significant economic threat to citrus growers if it were to become established. While other psyllids have been reported on citrus around the world, only ACP and African citrus psyllid are significant pests 10.
Threat Specific Contingency Plan
This contingency plan provides background information on the pest biology and available control measures to assist with preparedness for an incursion into Australia of a range of viruses that are transmitted by aphids. In this contingency plan viruses have been used as examples of those considered to be of greatest economic impact and risk to the Nursery and Garden Industry. It should be noted that some aphid transmitted viruses with a high economic impact are already present in Australia.
The contingency plan provides guidelines and options for steps to be undertaken and considered when developing a Response Plan for incursion of the virus pests. Any Response Plan developed using information in whole or in part from this contingency plan must follow procedures as set out in PLANTPLAN and be endorsed by the National Management Group prior to implementation.
Pest and Disease Crop Monitoring Procedures
As you should be aware by now Cotton mealybug was recently detected in Queensland. It was discovered in the Burdekin and Emerald cotton crops. This is a timely reminder to everyone to thoroughly inspect and monitor all imported crops.
Pest management systems cannot be implemented if the grower does not know which pests exist and whether their populations are significant. This is true for both imported product before it enters your production areas and for your existing greenhouses, shade-houses, container stock bed, block or pad. Hence a wise grower will have a monitoring plan devised for each area and for imported stock.
Myrtle Rust Detection in NSW
Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii) has been detected in the central coast region (Gosford/Wyong) of New South Wales (NSW) initially on a cut foliage farm on the 22nd April 2010. NGIQ notified all of industry via an electronic Alert in late April and through the May edition of Leaflet encouraging all plant producers to undertake property surveillance for this fungal disease. The plant disease has not been detected in any other state or territory of Australia.
Myrtle Rust Alert
The fungus Uredo rangelii (Myrtle rust) has been detected on a commercial property on the New South Wales central coast. Myrtle rush is considered to be part of a group of rust fungi collectively known as eucalyptus/guava rust. Early identification of this rust is vital to eradication efforts.
Queensland Plant Protection Act Amendment Bill 2004
It is a demonstrated fact that the movement of live germ plasm (plants) increases the risk of moving plant pests whether a disease (bacterial, viral, fungal, etc) or insect. The nursery industry is going to come under greater scrutiny in the future particularly as we appear to be increasing the detection rate of exotic pest incursions throughout Australia. As a result of the experiences with the recent Citrus canker outbreak and the expected exposures to exotic plant pest incursions in the future DPI&F have amended the Plant Protection Act 1989.
IPM reduces crop losses in Production Nursery
A Townsville specialist cycad production nursery has more than halved the crop damage from various leaf chewing plant pests by adopting a holistic crop monitoring and strategic pesticide program across the production system. This has been achieved thanks to the help from the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPI&F) and the Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland (NGIQ) with on-farm Integrated Pest Management (IPM) advice.
Hi-tech war on fire ants heating up
THE sky is an unlikely place to fight ground-based fire ants yet the Biosecurity Queensland are using helicopters to destroy the tiny pests.
The chopper plan, which uses thermal imaging to detect hot ant nests, is aimed at wiping out the invaders. Biosecurity Queensland boffins have been working on the idea since 2009, which will be rolled out in rural and semi-rural areas such as south and west of Ipswich.
Myrtle Rust in Queensland – Biosecurity Queensland Update
Myrtle rust is now wide-spread in South East Queensland with recent detections also confirmed in production and retail nurseries in Cairns and Townsville. However, surveillance to-date has shown no evidence that the disease has spread outside the four North Queensland businesses where the disease has been detected.
Asian Honeybee
Asian honeybees (AHB) were first detected in Queensland on May 2007 in Cairns. AHB are not wanted in Australia for a number of different reasons. Firstly the AHB compete for floral resources with the European
Honeybees. AHB will also rob the hives of managed bees resulting in the death of those hives. Most significantly though is that the AHB is a host for varroa mites, which are themselves a major threat to
Australia’s honeybee industry.
Threat specific contingency plan for fire blight
This contingency plan provides background information on pest biology and available control measures to assist production nurseries with preparedness for an incursion into Australia of fire blight (Erwinia amylovora). It provides guidelines and options for steps to be undertaken and considered when developing a Response Plan to this pest. Any Response Plan developed using information in whole or in part from this Contingency Plan must follow procedures as set out in PLANTPLAN and be endorsed by the National Management Group prior to implementation. This contingency plan was developed for the Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) and is focused on production nurseries. In the event of an incursion, operations not covered by the NGIA (e.g. retail outlets) will not be eligible for Owner Reimbursement Costs, as defined in the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, if affected by actions carried out under an approved Response Plan.
Farm Management System Officers
Some nursery operators are really embracing the opportunities presented by the Farm Management System program. One business owner who attended an ‘EcoHort’ training event late last year has continued to engage a Farm Management System Officer to provide guidance on both NIASA best management practice and EcoHort best environmental practice.
Farm Management System (EcoHort)
Over the past 18 months in excess of 200 people have attended an NGIQ “EcoHort - Environmental Management System” course. Congratulations go to all those production nursery operators who have sought the latest information in this area. There is little doubt legislation and compliance will become an even greater burden in coming years. Those who have attended and adopted the principles of environmental best practice are well prepared for the future.
Environmental Sustainability
The nursery and garden industry provides significant economic, cultural, social and environmental benefits to the Australian community. Nationally, the production nurseries support a diverse array of end users, through the provision of green-life as starter crops or finished products. End users include retail outlets, landscapers, cut flower growers, orchardists, vegetable growers, interiorscapers, sustainable forestry and revegetation enterprises. Along the supply chain, allied traders provide products and services that support the production, sale and health of green-life and include growing media and fertiliser manufacturers.
Downy mildew
Downy mildews are obligate plant parasites that attack a wide range of plants and are responsible for some of the world's most destructive plant diseases, e.g. downy mildew of grapes and blue mould of tobacco. They also cause considerable losses to the nursery production of ornamental and vegetable seedlings. Downy mildew organisms are distinctly different from the powdery mildew fungi. Some common downy mildew hosts include Cissus, lisianthus, poppy, ranunculus, rose, snapdragon, stock, pansy, alyssum, impatiens, sweet pea, cucurbits, helichrysum and brassica seedlings.
Red imported fire ant progress
The Fire Ant Control Centre (FACC) is gaining significant ground against red imported fire ants (RIFA) however the campaign is far from complete. The easier part of the task - wide-scale treatment - is almost over for most of Brisbane.
Red Imported Fire Ant final treatments
As of May 2004 the majority of Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) infested areas have had their final treatment through the application of the approved ant baits. This final treatment is the third such application over these areas and completes the planned baiting program. The project now moves into a full surveillance mode with the expectation that no RIFA will be found over the next two years resulting in pest free status being granted in late 2006.
Red Imported Fire Ant nests at Rochedale
Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) has been relatively quite however NGIQ was notified on Tuesday 8 February of a further 3 nest sites in the Rochedale area plus a nest detected in Parkridge. A number of nurseries have had their area freedom status redefined with many falling into the Queensland 2km zone.
Lettuce aphid detected in Victoria
Lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) has been recently detected in Victoria (mid May 2005). The first recorded presence of the aphid in Australian was identified in Tasmania during March 2004. The pest had been introduced into New Zealand in early 2002 and it is believed that due to unusual wind patterns the aphid was ‘blown’ across the Tasman Sea in early 2004 establishing in Tasmania in January/February of that year. There have been plant movement protocols in effect since the 2004 detection with host material requiring treatment and certification prior to despatch to the Australian mainland.
Crazy Ants
Crazy Ant has been detected in south east Queensland at an industrial estate near Caboolture. Thirty businesses have been quarantined with strict movement controls in place.
Citrus Canker – rest of Queensland
NGIQ is pleased to advise that the treatment protocols required under the Citrus Canker movement restrictions have been removed for businesses in the 'Rest of Queensland' excluding the two linked nurseries. Whilst the two linked nurseries have been comprehensively inspected, without any detection of canker, they will require a further inspection early in 2005 to provide the interstate authorities with the confidence they demand in declaring pest free status.
Queensland Plant Protection Act Amendment Bill 2004
It is a demonstrated fact that the movement of live germ plasm (plants) increases the risk of moving plant pests whether a disease (bacterial, viral, fungal, etc) or insect. The nursery industry is going to come under greater scrutiny in the future particularly as we appear to be increasing the detection rate of exotic pest incursions throughout Australia. As a result of the experiences with the recent Citrus canker outbreak and the expected exposures to exotic plant pest incursions in the future DPI&F have amended the Plant Protection Act 1989.
Lantana bug
Recent information from the Department of Natural Resources & Mines (DNR&M) on the distribution of the Lantana bug (Aconophora compressa) suggests that populations are on the increase. The lantana bug was released in 1995 by DNR&M as a biological control for the invasive weed Lantana. Up until 2003 the bug had quietly worked away without causing any undue impacts outside its expected host range (lantana).
Citrus Canker Update
The recent detection of Citrus canker on a citrus orchard in the Emerald area has created a significant amount of upheaval throughout the nursery and citrus industries over the past month and a half. NGIQ has dedicated considerable time, effort and money into representing industry at various forums (state & national) as well as endeavouring to keep the Queensland nursery industry informed. The general outcomes for our industry have been worth the effort however the timeline these results were delivered in is somewhat questionable.
Citrus Canker – Quarantine Release
The activity and hype over the recent incursion of Citrus Canker has died down to a more than manageable level. With the DPI&F Biosecurity Section diligently working away at the infested property, near Emerald, over these past weeks it has been confirmed that all known host material has been removed from the farms production system. After removal from the field all plant material has been burned on site including stumps and roots physically dug from the ground. The cost, to the farm, of this disease incursion is in the millions of dollars with over 250 000 citrus trees having to be destroyed.
Nursery industry biosecurity
Following on from the information provided in the May edition of Leaflet I would like to provide further detail on the overall strategy of our industry national biosecurity plan. This plan is going to be agreed to by industry and government (national & state) and therefore have formal recognition between all stakeholders.
Nursery industry biosecurity
Biosecurity is a term that has risen in prominence over the past three to four years in Australia at industry and government level. It is a word that will probably end up being one that falls into the category of ‘overuse’ in the not to distant future however this should not detract from its importance to all ag/hort businesses.
ACDC alternative qualifications
The Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Board (ACDC) has approved (pursuant to section 16 of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966) the holding of the following qualifications as an alternative to the passing of the examination for a commercial operator's licence under the Act.
Tropical Fire Ants Pest Alert
The NGIQ have been notified of a new exotic pest incursion into Queensland. The recent detection of a nest of Tropical Fire Ants - Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius) in a southern suburb of Brisbane has the nursery industry under pressure again. The Tropical Fire Ant is closely related to the Red Imported Fire Ant – Solenopsis invicta (Buren) and is a native ant species of North America. The pest has been in the Northern Territory for some years and is also believed to exist in the Kimberly area of Western Australia. The Tropical Fire Ant was identified in south east Queensland in 2002 and eradicated at that time.
Spiraling Whitefly
The exotic insect pest Spiraling whitefly (Aleurodicus disperses) has been in Australia for a number of years first being detected in 1997 in the Cape York area followed by Cairns in 1998.
South African Citrus Thrips (SACT)
The South African Citrus Thrips (Scirtothrips aurantii Faure) or SACT was detected at Sherwood in Brisbane in March 2002. The thrips detection was located in the vicinity of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (NR&M), Alan Fletcher Research Station.
RIFA Activity on the Home Front & Interstate
There is an increase in activity regarding the interest of interstate authorities in the movement protocols of host material from Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) restricted areas. This interest is broadening to encompass both retail and production nurseries and covers movement within Queensland and interstate.
Red Imported Fire Ant pesticides
The NGIQ initiated in 2001/2002 registration and trial work on a number of pesticides for use against RIFA. The off-label registration of bifenthrin was relatively quick and has been available for over 12 months however the registration of a granular chlorpyrifos (SuSCon Green) for inclusion into growing media required specific data be provided. NGIQ commissioned DPI/FACC to undertake trial work on our behalf and after 18 months the results are in.
Red Imported Fire Ants ongoing eradication
The ongoing eradication of this pest is progressing strongly according to the Fire Ant Control Centre (FACC) with 90% of monitored sites recording complete cessation of RIFA activity. The program is now in its second year of the three year baiting phase with approximately all treatment areas receiving at least 3 baits so far this round. This is encouraging for industry suffering under the burden of inspections, ARMP and certification. As the drought played havoc with production and retail activity it did assist in the eradication of RIFA in that there have probably been minimal launches of alates (fertile male & female ants) due to a lack of damp humid nights.
Red Imported Fire Ant cause for concern
Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) is again proving to cause industry serious concerns. As mentioned in the March edition of Leaflet the Interstate Plant Health Regulatory Working Group (IPHRWG) had drafted a set of movement protocols requiring mandatory chemical treatment from within the infested area. This was to be effective on both interstate plant movement and movement of plant material within Queensland.
Lantana Bug
There have been a number of reports of outbreaks of Lantana bug in production nurseries in the Brisbane area over recent weeks. The bug Aconophora compressa was an approved biocontrol agent for lantana and released in 1995 with the approval of 22 state and federal agencies including AQIS and Environment Australia. The release by the Department of Natural Resources & Mines (DNR&M) occurred after host testing based on nationally accepted protocols and included a representative range of 62 possible economic and native host plants.
Kalanchoe & Biological Management
The Department of Natural Resources & Mines (DNR&M) have, for some time, been investigating the biological management of the weed ‘Mother-of-millions’. The study has so far established three biological management agents available for selection. The department has been trialing the weevil, Osphilia tenuipes and is now considering release of this biocontrol agent.
ChemCert Certificate Training Course
NGIQ is endeavouring to provide ChemCert Courses to the industry as a service at a minimal cost. The course structure now requires competency based assessment which can increase costs due to a longer time commitment per person and a decrease in the maximum participant numbers per course. NGIQ is aiming to keep course participant numbers at the maximum number permissible (15) by ChemCert Training Queensland and the course duration of one day (8 hours). Keeping to an 8 hour course with 15 people will help to maintain an acceptable course cost. NGIQ can only deliver this if all ChemCert Course participants adhere to the below requirements.
RIFA & Victoria
The Victorian Government has finally released their Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) import requirements for nursery stock entering Victoria from Queensland. The NGIQ has mailed out to all members the relevant documents that require your attention if you export plant material into Victoria.
RIFA and SuSCon Green
The latest situation reported by the Fire Ant Control Centre (FACC) is that Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) has been detected at the outlying areas of Lytton and Loganholme (Regents Park). These two new infestations, or sites, are being treated and monitored for further activity by the FACC. Nurseries that had been given area freedom in those areas have been notified by QDPI – Animal & Plant Health Services that their area freedom (for the movement of RIFA host material interstate) has been withdrawn.