Title: Biological control agents to be resleased in Stanley State Forest
[Benalla Ensign: Wed 02 December, 2009, p. 22] Beetles and moths are being released into fire-affected areas as part of a plan to help win the battle against noxious weeds. DSE fire recovery officers have collected stems of the weed English Broom carrying larvae of the Broom seed-feeding beetle and the Broom twig-mining moth. DSE Ovens, Pest and Weeds Officer, Jack Harrington said that the beetles and moths will be released into large infestations of Broom plants that are not likely to be sprayed due to site access issues.
"These two biological agents will reduce the vigour of existing and new plants over time and assist land managers to control the spread of English Broom in remote areas," Mr Harrington said.
"We plan to release the moths and beetles into the fire-affected Stanley State Forest as the moths appear from their cocoons in late November." Mr Harrington said fire-affected areas were being targeted for the works because they are more prone to weed invasions.
These areas have been the focus of weed control works during the past two months to restrict the spread of weeds including Paterson’s Curse, Broom and Tree of Heaven.
Mr Harrington said additional blackberry and bridal creeper control works are planned for summer and autumn in and around fire-affected areas.
"As part of the recovery project we are continuing to undertake significant weed control works across areas of public land.
"Early next year we will also implement a fox control program in specific locations to reduce the pressure on recovering native animals." This project is funded through the Victorian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Project, with supporting funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program. For further information about fire recovery works contact Ovens DSE on 5731 1222.