Technical highlights: Invasive plant and animal research ... · 2 Technical highlights: invasive...

Technical highlightsInvasive plant and animal research 2010–11

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CS0830 2/12

ISSN 1838-6350

© State of Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2012.

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Summary 2

Achievements 2

Business report 4

Collaboration and extension 4

External funding 6

Research and development contracts 6

Land Protection Fund 6

Research staff 7

Ecosciences Precinct 7

Health and Food Sciences Precinct 8

Robert Wicks Pest Animal Research Centre 8

Tropical Weeds Research Centre 9

Publications and presentations 10

Journal articles 10

Book chapters 10

Reports 10

Theses 11

Contributions to conferences and workshops 11

Forums and meetings 12

Lectures, seminars and interviews 13

Field days 13

Contents

2 Technical highlights: invasive plant and animal research 2010–11

with the stem-galling moth (Epiblema strenuana) and competition from buffel grass may not be effective.

The Primary Industries Ministerial Council supported an application to release two biological control agents targeting mother-of-millions through the processes laid out in the Biological Control Act 1987. Nationwide stakeholder consultation is now in progress.

Landscape protection and restoration

Our biological control program currently targets three major environmental weeds of Queensland: cat’s claw creeper, Madeira vine and lantana.

We have concluded field releases of the leaf-sucking tingid (Carvalhotingis visenda) and the leaf-tying moth (Hypocosmia pyrochroma) targeting cat’s claw creeper. Both agents appear to have established successfully at numerous sites in Queensland and New South Wales, but monitoring is ongoing. Also, we have completed host-specificity testing on a further agent, the leaf-mining buprestid beetle (Hylaeogena jureceki). Results indicate that this beetle is highly target-specific and can severely damage cat’s claw creeper. We have submitted an application to Australian regulatory authorities to release this agent.

Following successful host-specificity testing, Australian regulatory authorities gave approval (in early 2011) to release the leaf beetle (Plectonycha correntina) targeting Madeira vine. The case for this insect was the first to be processed through Biosecurity Australia’s new protocols for biological control agents. We have since mass-reared the beetle highly successfully in glasshouses at the Ecosciences Precinct and have released over 2000 beetles to date, primarily in the western suburbs of Brisbane.

Host-specificity testing of a new biological control agent targeting lantana—the budmite (Aceria lantanae)—

improve control options for calotrope and we have now commenced a number of experiments on chemical and mechanical control.

We are continuing to develop effective herbicide recommendations for problematic weeds. Rate screening trials using a range of techniques (basal bark spraying, foliar spraying, cut stump and stem injection) have identified chemicals and application rates that will provide high mortality of Captain Cook tree. Fluroxypyr has proven the most effective for basal bark spraying, foliar spraying and cut stump applications, while glyphosate caused the highest mortality using stem injection.

Our evaluation of the efficacy of the EZ-Ject herbicide lance to control woody weeds by stem injection has concluded; results were published in The Rangeland Journal (Vitelli & Madigan 2011). We found that this tool generally provided effective control of the three trialled weeds, but the degree of control varied among species, with efficacy influenced by herbicide and number of cartridges injected. Treatment costs were high, confirming that the EZ-Ject herbicide lance may be most suited to weed control in sensitive areas, including those with high conservation values.

In our biological control program for prickly acacia, native range surveys and preliminary host-specificity tests conducted by collaborators in India have yielded a number of potential biological control agents. We have imported three prioritised insect species into quarantine at the Ecosciences Precinct and one rust fungus into quarantine facilities of collaborators at CABI Europe—UK, and have commenced detailed host-specificity testing.

Studies on the impact of plant competition and biological control on parthenium growing under different climatic conditions suggested that in a warming climate (with elevated carbon dioxide levels), biological control

Achievements

Our goal is to deliver innovative, applied science to better manage Queensland’s worst weeds and pest animals and to reduce their impacts on agriculture, the environment and the community. This can be achieved by developing new and improved pest management practices and expanding our knowledge of the impact, ecology and management of weeds and pest animals. In the past year, our team of scientists has made significant contributions towards achieving this goal through our four research programs.

Integrated weed management

A long-term collaborative research project on the ecology and integrated management of bellyache bush conducted at the Tropical Weeds Research Centre (TWRC) in Charters Towers has now been completed. During 11 years of research, we have gained many new insights into the ecology (for example reproductive behaviour and seed longevity) and control of bellyache bush. We have summarised the findings in numerous scientific publications and have also made them available to land managers across northern Australia in the Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) management manual. The biological control program on bellyache bush continues. Our collaborators at CABI Europe – United Kingdom (CABI Europe–UK) are currently conducting detailed host-specificity testing of the jatropha rust fungus (Phakospora jatrophicola).

Our team is undertaking a collaborative project, funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), on the spread, ecology, invasiveness and control of calotrope. The inaugural meeting of an advisory committee—comprising representatives from state and territory governments, pastoral companies, natural resource management bodies, community groups and Charles Darwin University—was held in Katherine in 2010. Our role is to

Summary

Technical highlights: invasive plant and animal research 2010–11 3

A collaborative research project assessed feral pig damage to grain crops and the effectiveness of harvesting in managing feral pig populations in south-western Queensland. This project was supported by the Queensland Murray–Darling Committee (QMDC) and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Field and landholder surveys provided estimates of the economic cost of feral pig damage to grain producers. Awareness of this will help to justify and promote feral pig control measures. However, attempts to determine the extent of feral pig damage in grain crops using satellite imagery were not successful. Despite several attempts using visual and pixel-based approaches, there was no apparent match between field survey points and evident damage in the images. Monitoring of feral pig density found that although numbers fluctuated during the study period due to environmental conditions, there was no clear decline in abundance; combined control activities had, at best, been able to suppress population growth. Analysis of commercial harvesting data indicated that while current harvest rates may be sufficiently high to hold populations at low densities, feral pig populations are likely to recover following an increase in food supply or a reduction in harvest effort.

Analysis of data on the distribution of rabbits using the web-based mapping tool RabbitScan and historical records revealed that the area exposed to the impact of rabbits in Australia is at least 2 213 598 km2 or 29% of the continent. Very high warren densities have been reported in 4% of this area (84 021 km2) and 74% of these reports were in the area of overlap between historical and RabbitScan records, where rabbit populations have been most stable over time. These areas are probably the most productive breeding places and the source of rabbits for surrounding areas. Therefore, they need priority treatment.

recruitment is spatially displaced in relation to established individuals. This finding implies that in a landscape where burning is used as a management tool, any follow-up with herbicide can simply concentrate on spaces between established individuals to reduce recruitment, thereby reducing both herbicide and labour costs.

Another study has shown that ant communities are surprisingly resilient to invasion by cat’s claw creeper (Osunkoya et al. 2011). This serves as a warning against making assumptions about invasion impacts based on visual appearances.

A study investigating the impact of cat’s claw creeper on 23 soil physicochemical properties indicated that cat’s claw creeper can improve soil fertility and influence nutrient cycling, making the substratum ideal for its own growth. This is consistent with previous findings for lantana and might explain the ability of these weeds to out-compete other species, especially native ones.

A new project investigating the ecology of cabomba found that this aquatic weed is able to regenerate successfully even from single node fragments. While the pH of the water seems to be an overall limiting factor, cabomba may establish even in nutrient-poor waters as long as nutrients are available in the substrate.

Pest animal management

A study on a property near Hughenden in northern Queensland examined how guardian dogs keep livestock safe from wild dogs. It revealed that maremma sheepdogs prevent wild dog attacks by staying close to the sheep rather than patrolling the boundary of the paddock and aggressively chasing off intruders. Although wild dogs frequently roamed inside sheep paddocks, no sheep were attacked or killed on the study property. We are currently replicating the study on a property near Jericho in central western Queensland.

found it was sufficiently specific to release. We have imported the budmite into the quarantine at the Ecosciences Precinct and are awaiting approval to release.

We also carry out a number of research projects in support of Queensland’s weed eradication programs. They contributed some important insights during the past year:

• Trials on age to maturity of Siam weed in the wet and dry tropics showed that under ideal (pot) conditions Siam weed can initiate flower buds within just four months. This highlights the importance of effectively surveying and controlling infestations between early February and the flowering period in May/June.

• Results of a seed immersion trial involving Siam weed, clidemia, miconia and limnocharis demonstrated that seed from all four species can be readily dispersed by sea or brackish water. However, highly saline environments are not suitable habitats for plant establishment.

• Molecular studies of Mimosa pigra found a high level of genetic homogeneity within Australian samples analysed, suggesting that there was only a single introduction of this weed into Australia, possibly from Brazil or Mexico. Further investigations are needed to confirm these results.

• We obtained new minor use permits from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for control of gingers (Hedychium spp.) and tussock grasses (Nassella spp.).

Our ecology team has continued investigations into the ecological properties and impacts of terrestrial and aquatic priority weeds.

Spatial pattern analyses of lantana plants surveyed since 2008 indicated that, after fire, seedling/juvenile


was transferring operations from the Alan Fletcher Research Station to the Ecosciences Precinct and re-establishing them in this world-class facility.

As in previous years, our research program for 2010–11 was endorsed by the Research Review Committee, a group of senior scientific, operations and policy staff from Biosecurity Queensland. The committee critically reviews proposed project outcomes and allocated investments. It also makes recommendations on strategic priorities, existing research gaps and projects due for scientific review.

There were no changes to the senior management and research team in 2010–11. However, Principal Scientist and Manager Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith acted as the Director of Biosecurity Queensland’s myrtle rust response in the second half of the financial year. In 2010–11, a total of 68 staff were engaged at our six research locations. (See the research staff listings on pages 7–9.)

Collaboration and extension

Under the RIRDC-funded National Weeds and Productivity Research Program, we collaborate with Australian research partners on a number of projects. Our collaborators include Charles Sturt University (biological control of prickly acacia); the University of Wollongong (impacts of exotic vines on plant health in native ecosystems); and the University of Adelaide, Independent Consultants Australia Network and Agronomo (herbicide resistance in non-cropping systems). Our projects on aquatic herbicide research, herbicide resistance in non-cropping systems and cabomba ecology are also closely linked with efforts by other government agencies, including the New South Wales Government Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI); the Northern Territory Government Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport; the Western Australian Government Department of Agriculture

distributed $12.4 million to fund research and to administer the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program until 30 June 2012. Our group obtained funding for four weed research projects (biological control of prickly acacia, cabomba ecology, aquatic herbicide research and herbicide resistance in non-cropping systems). Most of the funds will be forthcoming during 2011–12.

Some of our pest animal research projects continue to be supported by the DAFF-funded Australian Pest Animal Research Program and the Invasive Animals CRC. We have also developed a number of project proposals, with promised financial support, as part of an extension bid for the Invasive Animals CRC. If successful, this will guide a large component of our pest animal research over the next 3–5 years. We continue to seek external funding, despite a dwindling pool of funds, and have received support from the Australian Collaborative Rangelands Information System to examine trends in the distribution and abundance of feral goats across Australia over the past 30 years.

The chemistry team relocated to new laboratories at the Health and Food Sciences Precinct in early May 2010, and the remainder of staff from the former Alan Fletcher Research Station moved to the new Ecosciences Precinct in Dutton Park, Brisbane, in November 2010. An official ceremony to mark the closure of the Alan Fletcher Research Station and celebrate the significant achievements made during its 90-year history was held on 10 November 2010. The Ecosciences Precinct provides our research team with new state-of-the-art facilities, including a rooftop QC3 quarantine facility, glasshouses, shadehouses, experimental pond areas and purpose-built laboratories. It also brings exciting opportunities for closer collaboration with other research groups from the CSIRO and the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Resource Management. A major focus for the year

Genetic studies on rabbit populations in south-eastern Queensland have identified five genetically distinct populations. Analyses suggest that rabbits that have recently invaded the ‘clean’ side of the rabbit-proof fence at Cottonvale and Dalveen are likely to have come from the ‘dirty’ side of the fence at Cottonvale and ultimately from the Eukey area, probably via occasional holes in the fence. These results imply that, to reduce the chance of further invasions, rabbit control must extend beyond the Darling Downs – Moreton Rabbit Board area.

Research services

During 2010–11, our pest chemistry laboratory performed 160 toxicological investigations relating to the use of vertebrate pesticides. We completed determinations of 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) residues in 70 fox baits for input into a model describing the degradation of the baits in the environment. In addition, we have produced 840 L of 1080 pig bait solution (36 g L-1) in accordance with the upcoming APVMA registration and have obtained or renewed nine minor use or emergency permits to support invasive plant and animal control in Queensland.

Business report

In the financial year 2010–11, Invasive Plant and Animal Science received total funding of $6.2 million. Queensland Government base funds provided $4.0 million, contributions from the Land Protection Fund amounted to $1.7 million and funding from research and development contracts with external partners totalled $0.5 million. (See the funding overview tables on page 6.)

National funding opportunities for weed research have been limited since the closure of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Australian Weed Management in 2008. However, in early 2011, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)


presentations and poster displays to these events. Also, they participated in major international workshops on the biological control and management of Siam weed and parthenium held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 1–5 November 2010. (See the publications and presentations listings on pages 10–14.)

We also disseminate important research findings and updates on best-practice weed and pest animal management to community and industry groups, landholders and land managers through various extension activities. In the past year, scientific and technical staff led or participated in dozens of weed and pest animal workshops, forums, lectures, seminars and public field days across Queensland.

I am pleased to present Technical highlights: invasive plant and animal research 2010–11 to our clients, collaborators and colleagues. As in previous years, we welcome any suggestions on how we could improve the presentation and delivery of this report. (Please see the attached client feedback survey.) We also encourage all readers to visit the invasive plant and animal science pages on the Biosecurity Queensland website (www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au). In addition, you can browse through our recent scientific publications in the eResearch Archive on the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation website at www.deedi.qld.gov.au (search ‘eRA’). If you have any comments or require further information, please call me on (07) 3255 4450 or email [email protected]

Dr Tony Pople

Acting Manager Invasive Plant and Animal Science Biosecurity Queensland

and Food; the Victorian Government Department of Primary Industries; the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities; and CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences.

We continue to be a core participant in the Invasive Animals CRC, working closely with pest animal experts from across Australia on a range of joint projects (e.g. rabbit resistance to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus and the development of a new bait for wild dogs, foxes and cats).

Our other key collaborators in Australia include The University of Queensland, the Queensland University of Technology, the University of New England, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Resource Management. We also maintain productive international partnerships with the Agricultural Research Council — Plant Protection Research Institute in South Africa, the Arid Forest Research Institute and the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding in India, and CABI Europe—UK. Many of our research activities require field trials or sampling on the properties of private landholders. We greatly value their continued support.

Communication of results is an essential part of our research. We convey research findings to scientific and land management professionals through publications and conferences. In the past year, our scientific staff authored or co-authored 18 peer-reviewed articles, 11 in international journals and 7 in Australian journals. Our scientists had significant involvement in the 3rd Queensland Pest Animal Symposium (held in Gladstone on 3–5 August 2010), the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference (held in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 26–30 September 2010) and the 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference (held in Sydney on 20–23 June 2011). They contributed 26 papers,

http://www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au

mailto:[email protected]


Research and development contracts

Project/research area Funding body Funds ($)Controlling calotrope in northern Australia MLA 90 000

Biological control of bellyache bush MLA 30 000

Biological control of parthenium AusAID 8 000

Biological control of prickly acacia MLA

RIRDC

85 000

41 000

Biological control of Hudson pear NSW DPI 31 000

Biological control of mikania vine in Papua New Guinea and Fiji ACIAR 70 000

Water weed herbicide research RIRDC 50 000

Livestock guardian dog/wild dog interaction study DAFF 30 000

PAPP, a new toxin for managing wild dogs, foxes and feral cats Invasive Animals CRC 15 000

Assessing the role of harvesting in feral pig management QMDC 51 000

Assessing feral pig damage to crops using remote sensing DAFF 22 000

Rabbit research NSW DPI 3 000

Total 526 000

Land Protection Fund

Project/research area Funds ($)Seed dynamics 47 000

Herbicide application research 76 000

Biological control of bellyache bush 47 000

Biological control of prickly acacia 38 000

Biological control of mother-of-millions 73 000

Biological control of cat’s claw creeper 148 000

Biological control of Madeira vine 193 000

Biological control of lantana 129 000

Rearing and release of weed biological control agents 178 000

Ecology and control of wet tropics weeds 62 000

Population viability analysis for better management of lantana 37 000

Water weed research (including cabomba ecology) 120 000

Feral pig best practice research in northern Queensland 128 000

Rabbit research 276 000

Pest management chemistry and chemical registration 165 000

Total 1 717 000

External funding


Ecosciences Precinct

GPO Box 267 Brisbane Qld 4001

Tel: (07) 3255 4518 Fax: (07) 3846 6371 Email: [email protected]

Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith Principal Scientist, Manager

Dr Dane Panetta Principal Scientist, Professional Leader

Dr Bill Palmer Principal Entomologist

Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland

Dr K. Dhileepan Principal Entomologist

Joseph Vitelli Principal Weed Scientist

Michael Day Senior Entomologist

Dr Olusegun Osunkoya Senior Scientist

Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Environmental Futures Centre, Griffith University

Dr Tobias Bickel Aquatic Weed Scientist

Cathy Lockett Entomologist

David Holdom Scientist

Di Taylor Scientist

Annerose Chamberlain Experimentalist

Peter Jones Experimentalist

Jayd McCarthy Experimentalist

Christine Perrett Experimentalist

Natasha Riding Experimentalist

Wilmot Senaratne Experimentalist

Liz Snow Experimentalist

Mariano Treviño Experimentalist

Jens Froese Project Officer

Donna Buckley Administration Officer

Rose Broe Image Archivist

Patrick Rogers Senior Operations Supervisor

Mark Mitchell Groundsperson

Cameron Clark Experimentalist (casual)

Asad Shabbir Experimentalist (casual)

Research staff



Health and Food Sciences Precinct

PO Box 156 Archerfield Qld 4108


Lesley Ruddle Senior Scientist

Alyson Weier Experimentalist

Emily Strong Scientific Assistant (casual)

Robert Wicks Pest Animal Research Centre

Toowoomba

PO Box 102 Toowoomba Qld 4350


Dr Tony Pople Principal Scientist, Acting Manager

Dr Lee Allen Senior Zoologist

Dr David Berman Senior Zoologist

Dr Matt Gentle Zoologist

Peter Elsworth Experimentalist

Michael Brennan Experimentalist

Damian Byrne Experimentalist

James Speed Experimentalist

Mark Goullett Scientific Assistant

Jennifer Harvey Project Officer

Inglewood

PO Box 178 Inglewood Qld 4387


David Aster Scientific Assistant

Glen Rettke Equipment and Services Officer

Maria Granzotto Administration Officer/Cleaner

Andrew Granzotto Scientific Assistant

Brian Koina Maintenance Officer





Tropical Weeds Research Centre

Charters Towers

PO Box 187 Charters Towers Qld 4820


Dr Shane Campbell Principal Scientist, Professional Leader

Dr Jim Mitchell Senior Zoologist

Dr Wayne Vogler Senior Weed Scientist

Dr Faiz Bebawi Senior Weed Scientist

Simon Brooks Weed Scientist

Dr Chris O’Donnell Weed Scientist

John McKenzie Rangeland Weeds Officer

Dannielle Brazier Experimentalist

Barbara Madigan Experimentalist

Kelli Pukallus Experimentalist

Laura Roden Experimentalist

Brian Ross Experimentalist

Debra Haynes Centre Administration Officer

Emma Delacour Administration Officer

Sharon Rossow Administration Officer

Rodney Stevenson Operations Supervisor

Carl Anderson Maintenance Officer

Chris Crowley Scientific Assistant

Kirsty Gough Scientific Assistant

Samuel Hughes Scientific Assistant

Kyle Risdale Scientific Assistant

South Johnstone (Centre for Wet Tropics Agriculture)

PO Box 20 South Johnstone Qld 4859


Melissa Setter Weed Scientist

Stephen Setter Experimentalist

Katie Patane Experimentalist




Book chapters

Bickel, TO 2011, ‘Lagarosiphon major (Ridley) Moss ex Wager (Curly Water Weed)’, in RA Francis (ed.), A handbook of global freshwater invasive species, Earthscan, Oxford, pp. 79–90.

Reports

Allen, L 2010, Livestock guardian dog/wild dog interaction study, Progress report to the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.

Bickel, T 2011, Cunnamulla water lettuce issues, Technical report, Biosecurity Queensland, Brisbane.

Day, MD 2011, Biological control of Chromolaena odorata in PNG (CP/1996/91), Final report to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra.

Dhileepan, K & Taylor, D 2011, Application to release Hylaeogena jureceki Obenberger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a potential biological control agent for cat’s claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati L. Gentry (Bignoniaceae), Application to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra.

Gentle, M, Eason, C, MacMorran, D, Aylett, P & Aster, D 2011, Development of cyanide for feral pig and fox control, Invasive Animals CRC, Canberra, 64 pp.

Gentle, M, Phinn, S & Speed, J 2011, Assessing pig damage in agricultural crops with remote sensing, Final report to the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.

Gentle, M, Pople, T, Speed, J & Aster, D 2011, Assessing the role of harvesting in feral pig (Sus scrofa) management, Final report to the Queensland Murray–Darling Committee, Toowoomba.

Osunkoya, OO & Perrett, C 2011, ‘Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) invasion effects on soil physicochemical properties’, Biology and Fertility of Soils 47(3): 349–55.

Osunkoya, OO, Polo, C & Andersen, AN 2011, ‘Invasion impacts on biodiversity: responses of ant communities to infestation by cat’s claw creeper, Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) in subtropical Australia’, Biological Invasions 13(10): 2289–302.

Panetta, FD, Csurhes, SM, Markula, A & Hannan-Jones, MA 2011, ‘Predicting the cost of eradication for 41 Class 1 declared weeds in Queensland’, Plant Protection Quarterly 26(2): 42–6.

Shortus, M & Dhileepan, K 2011, ‘Two varieties of the invasive liana, cat’s claw creeper, Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) in Queensland, Australia’, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 116: 13–20.

Skurka Darin, GMS, Schoenig, S, Barney, JN, Panetta, FD & DiTomaso, JM 2011, ‘WHIPPET: a novel tool for prioritizing invasive plant populations for regional eradication’, Journal of Environmental Management 92(1): 131–9.

van Driesche, RG, Carruthers, RI, Center, T, Hoddle, MS, Hough-Goldstein, J, Morin, L, Smith, L et al. 2010, ‘Classical biological control for the protection of natural ecosystems’, Biological Control 54 (Supplement 1): S2–S33.

Vitelli, JS & Madigan, BA 2011, ‘Evaluating the efficacy of the EZ-Ject herbicide system in Queensland, Australia’, The Rangeland Journal 33(3): 299–305.

Vitelli, JS, Madigan, BA & van Haaren, PE 2010, ‘Control techniques and management strategies for the problematic navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus)’, Invasive Plant Science and Management 3(3): 315–26.

Wearne, LJ, Clarkson, J, Grice, AC, van Klinken, R & Vitelli, JS 2010, ‘The biology of Australian weeds. Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Rudge) Nees’, Plant Protection Quarterly 25(4): 146–61.

White, E & Vivian-Smith, G 2011, ‘Contagious dispersal of seeds of synchronously fruiting species beneath invasive and native fleshy-fruited trees’, Austral Ecology 36(2): 195–202.

Journal articles

Bebawi, FF, Vitelli, JS, Campbell, SD & Mayer, RJ 2011, ‘Impact of control strategies on bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia L.) mortality, seedling recruitment, population dynamics, pasture yield and cost analysis’, The Rangeland Journal 33(3): 277–86.

Berman, D, Brennan, M & Elsworth, P 2011, ‘How can warren destruction by ripping control European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on large properties in the Australian arid zone?’, Wildlife Research 38(1): 77–88.

Day, MD & Nahrung, HF 2010, ‘Preference and performance of Aconophora compressa Walker (Hemiptera: Membracidae) on different lantana phenotypes in Australia’, Australian Journal of Entomology 49(4): 363–68.

Dhileepan, K, Treviño, M, Bayliss, D, Saunders, M, Shortus, M, McCarthy, J, Snow, EL et al. 2010, ‘Introduction and establishment of Carvalhotingis visenda (Hemiptera: Tingidae) as a biological control agent for cat’s claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) in Australia’, Biological Control 55(1): 58–62.

Ellison, C & Day, M 2011, ‘Current status of releases of Puccinia spegazzinii for Mikania micrantha control’, Biocontrol News and Information 32(1): 1N–2N.

Long, RL, Kranner, I, Panetta, FD, Birtic, S, Adkins, SW & Steadman, KJ 2011, ‘Wet-dry cycling extends seed persistence by re-instating antioxidant capacity’, Plant and Soil 338(1-2): 511–19.

Osunkoya, OO, Bayliss, D, Panetta, FD & Vivian-Smith, G 2010, ‘Leaf trait co-ordination in relation to construction cost, carbon gain and resource-use efficiency in exotic invasive and native woody vine species’, Annals of Botany 106(2): 371–80.

Osunkoya, OO, Bayliss, D, Panetta, FD & Vivian-Smith, G 2010, ‘Variation in ecophysiology and carbon economy of invasive and native woody vines of riparian zones in south-eastern Queensland’, Austral Ecology 35(6): 636–49.

Publications and presentations


Osunkoya, OO, Perrett, C & Fernando, C 2010, ‘Population viability analysis models for Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae): a weed of national significance’, in SM Zydenbos (ed.), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp. 99–102.

Pople, AR 2010, ‘The four reasons for monitoring in pest management’, in Proceedings of the 3rd Queensland Pest Animal Symposium, Gladstone, Queensland.

Shabbir, A, Dhileepan, K, O’Donnell, C, Khan, N & Adkins, SW 2010, ‘Management of parthenium weed: enhancing the effectiveness of biological control through competition from beneficial plants’, in SM Zydenbos (ed.), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp. 135–7.

Posters

Fleming, P, Tracey, J, Eccles, G, Gentle, M, Henzell, R, Letnic, M, Jones, G et al. 2011, ‘Rainfall affects feral goat (Capra hircus) home range in Australasia’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th

Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference, Invasive Animals CRC, Sydney, p. 188.

O’Bryan, L, Allen, L, Murray, P & Leung, L 2011, ‘How accurate are field-based estimates of the age of wild dogs?’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th


Presentations

Allen, L 2011, ‘Capturing the benefits and mitigating the negative impacts of wild dogs’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference, Invasive Animals CRC, Sydney, p. 69.

Allen, L 2011, ‘Losing the battle of protecting Australia’s sheep herd from wild dogs’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference, Invasive Animals CRC, Sydney, p. 72.

Allen, L & Byrne, D 2011, ‘How do guardian dogs “work”?’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference, Invasive Animals CRC, Sydney, p. 158.

Dhileepan, K, Balu, A, Ahmed, SI, Singh, S, Srivastava, K, Senthilkumar, M, Murugesan, S et al. 2010, ‘New biological control opportunities for prickly acacia: exploration in India’, in SM Zydenbos (ed.), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp. 231–4.

Elsworth, PG 2010, ‘Virulence of field strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus’, in Proceedings of the 3rd Queensland Pest Animal Symposium, Gladstone, Queensland.

Gentle, M 2010, ‘What gets killed by meat baits for feral pigs?’, in Proceedings of the 3rd Queensland Pest Animal Symposium, Gladstone, Queensland.

Macanawai, AR, Day, MD, Tumaneng-Diete, T & Adkins, SW 2010, ‘Frequency and density of Mikania micrantha and other weeds in taro and banana systems in eastern Viti Levu, Fiji’, in SM Zydenbos (ed.), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp. 116–19.

Macanawai, AR, Day, MD, Tumaneng-Diete, T & Adkins, SW 2010, ‘Some factors that may influence the invasiveness of Mikania micrantha Kunth ex H.B.K. in Fiji’, in SM Zydenbos (ed.), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp. 95–8.

McKenzie, J, Brazier, D, Owen, A, Vitelli, JS & Mayer, R 2010, ‘Stem injection: a control technique often overlooked for exotic woody weeds’, in SM Zydenbos (ed.), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp. 459–61.

Mitchell, J 2010, ‘Feral pigs and freshwater ecosystems—not a good mix’, in Proceedings of the 3rd Queensland Pest Animal Symposium, Gladstone, Queensland.

Murphy, HT & Brooks, S 2010, ‘The ecology of Miconia calvescens in Australia’, in LL Loope, J-Y Meyer, BD Hardesty & CW Smith (eds), Proceedings of the International Miconia Conference, Maui Invasive Species Committee and Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii.

Theses

Boyne, RL 2011, Comparative leaf anatomy of invasive and non-invasive climbers under different light levels: implications for ecophysiological performance and phenotypic plasticity, BAppSci Honours thesis, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane.

Contributions to conferences and workshops

Papers

Adkins, SW, O’Donnell, C, Khan, N, Nguyen, T, Shabbir, A, Dhileepan, K, George, D, et al. 2010, ‘Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) research in Australia: new management possibilities’, in SM Zydenbos (ed.), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp. 120–3.

Allen, L & Byrne, D 2010, ‘Improving animal welfare outcomes when using foot-hold traps’, in Proceedings of the 3rd Queensland Pest Animal Symposium, Gladstone, Queensland.

Brazier, D, McKenzie, J, Owen, A, Campbell, SD, Vitelli, JS, Reid, A & Mayer, R 2010, ‘Evaluating herbicides for the control of the invasive weed florestina (Florestina tripteris DC.)’, in SM Zydenbos (ed.), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp. 421–3.

Brennan, M & Berman, D 2010, ‘Benefits of rabbit control in South East Queensland, and methods used to measure the effectiveness of control’, in Proceedings of the 3rd Queensland Pest Animal Symposium, Gladstone, Queensland.

Brooks, S & Jeffery, M 2010, ‘Status of Miconia calvescens and the eradication program in Australia’, in LL Loope, J-Y Meyer, BD Hardesty & CW Smith (eds), Proceedings of the International Miconia Conference, Maui Invasive Species Committee and Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii.


Brooks, SJ 2011, Weed eradication target species research, Tropical Weed Eradication Operational Committee, South Johnstone, March.

Brooks, SJ 2011, Siam weed database analysis, Tropical Weed Eradication Management Committee, Townsville, April.

Campbell, SD 2010, MLA rubber bush project overview, Rubber bush stakeholder workshop, Katherine, 10 November.

Campbell, SD 2010, Proposed rubber bush research to improve control options, Barkly Landcare Association, Helen Springs Station, Tennant Creek, 13 August.

Campbell, SD 2010, Weed eradication target species research, Tropical Weed Eradication Management Committee, Cairns, November.

Campbell, SD 2011, General weed research update, MLA Northern Beef Industry Committee, Trafalgar Station, Charters Towers, 17 March.

Campbell, SD 2011, Weed eradication target species research, Tropical Weed Eradication Management Committee, Townsville, April.

Day, MD 2011, Biological control of lantana, Mackay Regional Pest Management Group, Brisbane, 15 March.

Day, MD 2011, Biological control of lantana, National Lantana Management Group, Brisbane, 28 March.

Day, MD 2011, Biological control of weeds in Queensland, New South Wales Environment and Aquatic Weed Biocontrol Taskforce, Port Macquarie, 24 May.

Elsworth, P 2011, Rabbit control workshop, Invasive Animals CRC, Canberra, 27–28 January.

McKenzie, J 2010, Update on herbicide application research, Biosecurity Queensland officers (Arid West and Northern zones), TWRC Charters Towers, 12 October.

McKenzie, J 2010, Florestina research update, Shire Rural Lands Officers Group, Blackall, 2 December.

Mitchell, J 2010, Feral pig research update, Gulf Catchments Pest Task Force, Hughenden, 24–25 November.

Fulford, G, Lee, X, Berman, D & Hamilton, G 2011, ‘Interaction of myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease in wild rabbit populations’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference, Invasive Animals CRC, Sydney, p. 90.

Leung, LKP, Diete, R, Waller, N & Pople, AR 2011, ‘Effectiveness of zinc phosphide, cholecalciferol, and cholecalciferol/coumatetralyl combination baits in reducing house mouse populations in maturing wheat crops’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference, Invasive Animals CRC, Sydney, p. 140.

McLeod, S & Pople, AR 2011, ‘Modelling the distribution and relative abundance of feral camels in arid Australia’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th


Mitchell, J 2011, ‘Feral pigs in the tropics: impacts and solutions’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th


Pople, AR & Cremasco, P 2011, ‘Population dynamics of house mice in Queensland grain-growing areas’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th


Forums and meetings

Allen, L 2011, Wild dog research, South East Queensland Pest Advisory Forum, Toowoomba, 22 March.

Bickel, T 2011, Aquatic weed ecology and management, War on Weeds: Aquatic Weeds Forum, Noosaville, 24 June.

Brooks, SJ 2010, Weed eradication target species research, External review panel of the Four Tropical Weeds Eradication Program, South Johnstone, August.

Allen, B, Engeman, R & Allen, L 2011, ‘How strong is the “growing body of evidence” for dingo suppression of mesopredators? Putting the methods under the microscope’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference, Invasive Animals CRC, Sydney, p. 58.

Balu, A, Dhileepan, K, Murugesan, S, Senthilkumar, P, Senthilkumar, M & Mahalakshimi, R 2010, Insect associates of Acacia nilotica Wild ex del. in social forestry community lands, tank bed plantations and agro-forestry of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, National Seminar on Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, Function and Services, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, 28–29 December.

Berman, D, Fuller, S & Brennan, M 2011, ‘Key areas for rabbit control on property in regions and nationally’, in G Saunders & C Lane (eds), Proceedings of the 15th


Day, MD 2010, Biocontrol of Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae) in Papua New Guinea, Eighth International Workshop on Biological Control and Management of Chromolaena odorata and other Eupatorieae, Nairobi, Kenya, 1–5 November.

Day, MD 2010, Biocontrol of Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae) in Timor Leste, Eighth International Workshop on Biological Control and Management of Chromolaena odorata and other Eupatorieae, Nairobi, Kenya, 1–5 November.

Day, MD 2010, Biological control of Mikania micrantha Kunth (Asteraceae) in Papua New Guinea and Fiji using the rust fungus Puccinia spegazzinii de Toni (Pucciniales: Pucciniaceae), Eighth International Workshop on Biological Control and Management of Chromolaena odorata and other Eupatorieae, Nairobi, Kenya, 1–5 November.

Dhileepan, K & McFadyen, RE 2010, Current status of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) biological control agents in Australia, First IOBC International Workshop on Biological Control and Management of Parthenium hysterophorus, Nairobi, Kenya, 1–5 November.


Field days

Allen, L 2011, Wild dog research, Pest animal control field day, Charters Towers, 6 May.

Allen, L 2011, Wild dog research, Wild dog control field day, Townsville, 7 May.

Allen, L 2011, Wild dog research and demonstration of trapping, Wild dog control field day, Proserpine, 27 May.

Bickel, T 2011, Cunnamulla water lettuce issues, Biosecurity Queensland staff (Arid West) and community groups, Cunnamulla, 14 March.

Campbell, SD 2011, Biology, ecology and biological control of prickly acacia, Prickly acacia/woody weed control field day, Inkerman Station, Home Hill, 19 May.

McKenzie, J 2010, Woody weed control, Woodstock Landcare Group, Woodstock/Calcium, 15 October.

McKenzie, J 2011, Woody weed control, Muttaburra Landcare, Muttaburra, 3 May.

McKenzie, J 2011, Woody weed control, Prairie Landcare, Prairie, 4 May.

Mitchell, J 2011, Feral pigs, Burdekin predator field day, Giru, April.

Mitchell, J 2011, Feral pigs, Charters Towers predator field day, Charters Towers, 6 May.

Pukallus, KJ 2011, Lantana biological control, NQ Dry Tropics, Cungalla.Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation

13 25 23www.deedi.qld.gov.au Cs0830 2/12

Dhileepan, K 2011, Monster weed control with foreign bugs, Interview on PM, ABC Radio National, 10 June.

Dhileepan, K 2011, Update on prickly acacia biocontrol research, Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, India, January.

Dhileepan, K 2011, Weed control with bio-agents, Interview on MLA feedbackTV (Episode 14), 1 April.

Mitchell, J 2010, Feral pigs, The University of Queensland (Gatton) students, TWRC, Charters Towers, 15 July.

Osunkoya, OO 2010, Biological invasions: ecology, social ethics and policies, Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Darwin, July.

Osunkoya, OO 2010, Weed population ecology research for better weed management, Kedron Brook Catchment Network Northern Seminar Series, McDowall, Brisbane, October.

Palmer, WA 2010, History of the Alan Fletcher Research Station, AFRS Closure Ceremony, Sherwood, Brisbane, 10 November.

Palmer, WA 2010, History of the Alan Fletcher Research Station, Sherwood Corinda Historical Society, Corinda RSL Club, Brisbane, 26 November.

Pukallus, KJ 2011, Insects, Richmond Hill Primary School, Charters Towers, 25 February.

Pukallus, KJ 2011, Insects, School of Distance Education, Charters Towers, 6 May.

Vogler, WD 2010, Weed ecology and control, The University of Queensland students, TWRC, Charters Towers, 15 July.

Mitchell, J 2010, Feral pigs, Biosecurity Queensland officers (Arid West and Northern zones), TWRC, Charters Towers, 12–13 October.

O’Donnell, C 2010, Proposed control research on rubber bush, Rubber bush stakeholder workshop, Katherine, 10 November.

Osunkoya, OO 2011, Studying population dynamics of Lantana camara for better management, National Lantana Management Group, Oxley, Brisbane, March.

Palmer, WA 2010, Cactus workshop, Alan Fletcher Research Station, Sherwood, Brisbane, 27 August.

Vogler, WD 2010, Grader grass and Tecoma, Biosecurity Queensland officers, TWRC, Charters Towers, 12 October.

Vogler, WD 2010, Navua sedge, Malanda Beef Plan Group, Malanda, 18 July.

Vogler, WD 2011, Navua sedge, Tablelands Regional Council, Malanda, 3 May.

Lectures, seminars and interviews

Allen, L 2011, Research update on guardian dog project, National Wild Dog Management Advisory Group, Brisbane, 6–8 April.

Allen, L 2011, Wild dog research, Queensland Dog Offensive Group, Brisbane, 17 June.

Campbell, SD 2010, Weed control, Millchester State School, Charters Towers, 4 November.

Day, MD 2010, Biological control of weeds, Government of Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 27 July.

Dhileepan, K 2011, Biological control of prickly acacia: research update, Ecosciences Precinct, Brisbane, 15 March.

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