Some western Queensland graziers won’t just be waking up to the traditional Christmas morning of ripping colourful wrapping paper off presents this year.
They’ve already had an early present with the news that a sap-sucking cochineal bug released in April is doing what it was expected to do – kill coral cactus.
Biosecurity Queensland senior entomologist Michael Day recently inspected the Longreach release site and was happy to report the biological control was well established on all cactus plants where releases had been conducted.
“Infected original plants and some cladodes had started to drop,” he said.
The insect was also found up to 42 metres from the release plant.
Mr Day said that considering it had only been seven months since their release and the insects had experienced a cold, wet winter, research staff and landholders were optimistic the insect would continue to spread and greater damage to plants would be seen over summer.
In addition to the Queensland releases, at Barcaldine, Jericho, Wyandra, Moama and Mount Isa, the cochineal bug has been released in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales under a national initiative, with funding from the NSW DPI, and MLA.
Monitoring of the sites will continue, according to Mr Day.
In the meantime, applications seeking approval to release other cochineal insects to target other species of Cylindropuntia have been submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Department of Environment.
South West NRM spokesman Craig Alison has promised a Christmas gift to coral cactus for every land manager attending a field day at Croxdale, west of Charleville, on December 14, offering samples for attendees to take home and spread on their infestations.