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.

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.

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.

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 (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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.