Title: Cacti killers Mexican cochineal to arrest Queensland pest
[Sunday Mail, Jan 17, 2010, by Darrell Giles] Another potentially hazardous species is about to be introduced into Queensland. In a move resembling one of our most evil foreign invaders, the cane toad, State Government scientists hope a South American bug will chomp its way through a nasty pest. The Mexican cochineal insect Dactylopius tomentosus will be recruited to destroy the spiky class-one declared weed Hudson Pear. Acting Primary Industries Minister Peter Lawlor said the Hudson Pear, also introduced from Mexico, was a cactus covered in long, sharp spikes strong enough to puncture car tyres.
The Mexican cochineal loves to eat Hudson Pear.
The weed is mainly found in north-western NSW, although smaller infestations have been reported in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
"The Mexican cochineal insect will be trialled as a possible biological control method to stop the cactus from spreading," Mr Lawlor said.
"Scientists are planning a pre-emptive strike on the weed before it invades Queensland and menaces humans, animals and car tyres."
Mr Lawlor said Biosecurity Queensland scientists would conduct tests to see if the insect was safe to release into a new environment.
"They'll do this in a secure containment facility to ensure the insect will not pose a threat to non-target species such as native and agricultural plants," the minister said. "If it proves to be safe and is released, populations of the insect are expected to build up to high levels in the field due to the abundance of the weed.
"The insects will suck the juices out of the plant, making it unhealthy and, hopefully, killing it."
Other species to plague Australia include feral cats, dogs and pigs, foxes, rabbits and birds.
Biosecurity Queensland principal entomologist Bill Palmer said as Hudson Pear originated from Mexico, an insect from the weed's native country was required to control it.
"A strain of this particular insect was highly effective in destroying a close relative of Hudson Pear in South Africa and we're hoping to achieve similar results here," he said.
