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CACTUS QUARTERLY In This Issue
Latest News
• Weedtechnics - Satusteam ©
Hudson Pear - C. pallida
• Mass-rearing facility
• Hudson Pear Spray Group B
• Biocontrol on the attack
Rope pear - C. imbricata
New Resources Available
• Invasive cacti in North West NSW -
Identification and biological control op-
tions
• Invasive cacti guide - Identification and
control of invasive cacti in North West
NSW
Events
• Release the Hounds on Hudson pear
Save the Date Feb 2020
Expressions of Interest
Know your local Weeds Officer
Further Information
Funded through the NW Cacti Coordinator Program
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0402 014 769
NSW, North West Region Summer 2019
Latest news Attack on Harrisia Cactus continues with Satusteam© Weedtechnics came out to Gynsyd Way at Goondiwindi on the 5 No-
vember to set loose the Green Ninja Pro where 25 community mem-
bers got to see it in action!
It was great to see community come down to the Gunsyd Way harrisia
trial site, including Weed Officers (from NSW and QLD), Agronomists,
NRM Officers, Contractors, Local Land Services, Landcare Coordina-
tors (from NSW and QLD), hobby farmers and Producers.
Ben Larson, Satusteam expert from Weedtech-
nics took on the spikes of the harrisia cactus with
the compact, but effective Green Ninja Pro
Satusteam© weeding machine.
The site had a reasonable density of harissa cac-
tus, as well as other
cactus species, includ-
ing tree pear and tiger
pear.
The focus for the day
was on harrisia cactus which was both
stressed and growing a number of new green
shoots. The harrisia cactus was treated with
each of the Satusteam© applicator heads –
Versitech© open head, Versitech© covered
and
Satusteam© spike.
Ben treated individual plants for varied
lengths of time with some treated quite
quickly and others more intensively. As
the aim of the demonstration, was to
assess the effectiveness of application
the cactus was staked and flagged with
pink tape.
If you missed out on the day head on out to the site and check out the
results or for more information on the Green Ninja Pro Satusteam©
contact Weedtechnics at www.weedtechnics.com/
How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 1
Photo: Weedtechnics steam spray-
ing harrisia cactus, Goondiwindi.
Photo (left to right):
Lachie Biddle (MPSC),
Ian Schwartz (MPSC)
and Wayne Garnsey
(NW LLS).
Photo: Green Ninja Pro
Satusteam© , Weedtech-
nics.
After - Satusteam© spike.
Before - Satusteam© spike.
During - Satusteam© spike. After - Versitech© covered head
2
Hudson pear - C. pallida Lightning Ridge Hudson pear mass-rearing facility nearing completion Generous funding from the NSW Government (Office for Environment and Heritage) has seen the construction of a
biocontrol agent rearing facility at Lightning Ridge. For the next three years, this facility will be used to mass-rear the
Hudson pear cochineal, a biocontrol agent which will form part of the Integrated Weed Management plan to abate
the threat of Hudson pear in the North West of NSW and potential impacts throughout the Murray Darling Basin.
The Hudson pear mass-rearing facility is a 10 x 27 meter long plastic tunnel, equipped with roof and side-wall vents
to control its internal climate. The facility is in the process of being kitted out with a shelving system which will house
the 840 plastic rearing tubs required to breed the cochineal.
It is anticipated that once the facility reaches maximum production, it will be able to produce upwards of 100,000
infected Hudson pear segments per year for release. These will be used to flood the core Hudson pear infestation
around Lightning Ridge, Cumborah and Grawin.
The facility will initially require a significant amount of fresh, uninfected Hudson pear segments to get the ball rolling.
If you are able to assist with the collection of any material, please contact Mat Savage (Castlereagh Macquarie
County Council weed officer) at [email protected] or 0427 253 463.
The official opening and naming of the facility has been earmarked for the week of 3-7 February 2020. This coin-
cides with three training workshops (Lightning Ridge – 4 Feb, Cumborah – 7 Feb, Grawin – 8 Feb, see page 6 for
more information) designed to train interested parties in becoming part of this exciting program to tackle Hudson
pear.
By: Andrea Fletcher, Mat Savage and Andrew McConnachie
How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 2
Figure: The pouring of the slab, M. Savage. Figure: Erection of the structure begins, M. Sav-
age.
Figure: Installation of the roof, M. Savage. Figure: Shelves and plastic breeding contain-
ers, M. Savage.
3
Hudson Pear Spray Group B collection day The Hudson Pear Spray Group had an action packed day on Saturday 7 December
filling 402 x 50 litre tubs of Hudson pear segments for the new mass-rearing facility.
These tubs will have the new Hudson pear biologi-
cal agent added to them, with the intent that the
agent will start feeding and breeding on the seg-
ments. This process of rearing the biocontrol agent
will support the community focused Biological Re-
lease Program including training workshops early in
the new year.
Andrea Fletcher and Mat Savage from Castlereagh
Macquarie County Council reflected on the day say-
ing “the group exceeded our expectations. From
asking for a demo on how to collect segments
to how to stack the tubs. A hard day with lots of
fun!”
Jumping Cholla - C. prolifera Biocontrol on the attack! During a most recent monitoring trip to Lightning Ridge and surrounding areas Andrew
McConnachie (Senior Research Scientist, NSW DPI) and Pete Turner (Manager, Invasive
Species, NSW DPI) were able to assess the impact biocontrol is having on the Jumping
Cholla, Cylindropuntia prolifera.
The cochineal ‘californica var. parkeri’ lineage is thriving on C. prolifera infestations found
around Lightning Ridge. Andrew noted, “This is the same lineage of cochineal that is be-
ing released on Hudson pear and it is having an impressive impact on jumping cholla! This
was predicted in laboratory testing and it is encouraging to see
the same results in the field.”
How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 3
Figure: A. McConnachie (left)
and P. Turner (right).
Figure: Brock collecting segments
with his trusty rake. Figure: HPSG member busy collecting
segments.
Figure: Tubs waiting to be transported back to
the mass-rearing facility.
Figure: Mat Savage (left) and Andrea Fletcher
(right) in a full mass-rearing facility.
Figure: Rhett collecting segments.
A massive THANK YOU to all 14 volunteers
who participate in the collecting 402 tubs
worth of Hudson pear segments!
Merry Christmas and we look forward to an
exciting new year!
- Community Biological Release Program
4
Rope Pear Cylindropuntia imbricata
Where did it come from and where is it now?
Cylindropuntia imbricata, native to the USA and central
Mexico, was first recorded in Australia in 1911. The plant
is particularly common around mining towns in western
NSW.
Source: Department of Primary Industries WeedWise, 2019
What does it look like?
Much-branched spiny plant, often 2–3 m high, with rope-
like segments growing at various angles to the upright
branches.
Cladodes
• Dull grey-green
• 15-40 cm long
• 3.5-5 cm diameter
• Large, widely spaced tubercles give
a woven, rope like appearance
Spines
• 2-12 spines per areole
• 0.8-3 cm long
• Trunks often covered in spines
• Off white-cream sheath attached.
Flowers
• Dark pink, magenta
Fruit
• Fleshy, egg shaped, to 4 cm long
• Greenish yellow when ripe
• Can form chains
Source: Field Identification Guide 2nd Edition
How does it spread?
Like most cactus species the cladodes can be dispersed
through human and animal movement, as well as vehi-
cles and other machinery. The fruit is consumed by both
native wild life and pest animals which then help disperse
the seeds. It has the ability to form impenetrable clumps
and reduce stock carrying capacity. Segments easily
break off and can spread to new sites via flood waters.
Source: NSW WeedWise and Field Identification Guide 2nd Edition
General Biosecurity Duty
All plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or mini-mised, so far as is reasonably practicable. All of NSW Prohibition on dealings Must not be imported into the State or sold North West Biosecurity Act requirements & Strategic Response in the region Mandatory Measure (Division 8, Clause 33, Biosecurity Regulation 2017): A person must not import into the State or sell. Source: North West Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan Executive Summary
How do you control it?
Biocontrol
Place infected cladodes on the top of the shrub to en-
courage the cochineal to transfer onto the healthy plant. It
also aids in protection of the cochineal until the conditions
are right for the cochineal to move around.
Cochineal Dactylopius tomentosus ‘imbricata’
Scientific name
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Dactylopiidae
Genus: Dactylopius
Species: tomentosus
Lineage: imbricata
How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 4
Figure: C. imbricata distribution, Atlas of Living Australia 2019.
Figure: C. imbricata,
WeedWise.
Check out the latest news from the NSW Weed Biocontrol Taskforce at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-control/biological-
control/nsw-weed-biocontrol-taskforce or
sign up to the extranet https://extranet.dpi.nsw.gov.au/weeds/resources/
biological-control-of-weeds
/nsw-weed-biocontrol-taskforce
5
How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 5
Chemical Control - Rope pear
WARNING—Always read the label
Source: NSW Weed Control Handbook – A guide to weed control in non-crop, aquatic and bushland situations
Control Calendar
Source: NW Regional Weeds Officer Best Practises Guides
For information on how to control Cylindropuntia imbricata please search APVMA https://portal.apvma.gov.au/home
to find the correct permit and instructions for use.
Alternatively, please contact your local Weeds Officer for further advise on identification and control (see page 7 for
contact details).
Integrated control methods
It is important to make sure that you eradicate any weeds on your
boundary perimeters to ensure that your General Biosecurity Duty is
being implemented and you’re doing your bit towards stopping the
spread of weeds!
Biocontrol is a great control method in core infestations and in area
that is hard to access.
For those few plants that easy to get to and are on fence lines or road
side, chemical or manual removal are the most efficient control op-
tions.
For more information on how to control cacti on your property check
out the Invasive cacti field guide - Identification and control of invasive
cacti in North West NSW (see page 6 for more information).
Source: Invasive cacti field guide - Identification and control of invasive cacti in
North West NSW
6
Invasive cacti in North West NSW
Identification and biological control options
Events
Now available Northern Slopes Landcare
website Cacti → Resources
https://
www.northernslopeslandcare.co
m.au/images/pdf/
cac-
ti/5533_WONS_Poster_1810_We
b.pdf
New Resources Available Invasive cacti field guide
Identification and control of invasive cacti in North West NSW
Now available Northern Slopes Landcare
website Cacti → Resources
https://
www.northernslopeslandcare.co
m.au/images/
Cac-
ti/5537_Cacti_Booklet_VeryFINA
L_WEB.pdf
NW Local Land Services
website Resource hub →
Publications
https://northwest.lls.nsw.gov.au/
__data/assets/
pdf_file/0004/1192396/5537_Cac
ti-Booklet_VeryFINAL_WEB.pdf
For more information contact
Jo Skewes
NW Cacti Control Coordinator
0402 014 769
Pick up an application at
Walgett Shire Council in Lightning Ridge
NW Local Land Services in Walgett
Mat Savage
Walgett Shire Council Weed officer
0427 253 463
Expression Of Interest
WANTED dedicated community members to be apart of a Coordinated Biocontrol Re-
lease Program for Hudson pear.
How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 6
Save The Date
Find out more about the biocontrol of Hudson pear, including information on how to be-
come involved with releasing the biocontrol agent.
Lightning Ridge - Tuesday 4 February 2020
Cumborah - Friday 7 February 2020
Grawin - Saturday 8 February 2020
More information will be available early 2020!
7
Gunnedah Shire Council
Senior Weeds Officer
Lee Amidy 0427 254 188
63 Elgin Street Gunnedah NSW 2380
Phone 02 6740 2100
Postal Address
PO Box 63
Gunnedah NSW 2380
Email [email protected]
Gwydir Shire Council
Weeds Officer Warialda
Scott McLachlan 0428 305 364
Weeds Officer Bingara
Stephen Kneller 0427 240 061
Postal Address
Locked Bag 5
Bingara NSW 2404
Email [email protected]
Bingara Office
33 Maitland Street
Bingara NSW 2404
Phone 02 6724 2000
Warialda Office
52 Hope Street
Warialda NSW 2402
Phone 02 6729 3000
Liverpool Plains Shire
Council
Authorised Officer - Weeds
Mike Whitney 0427 961 980
60 Station Street
Quirindi NSW 2343
Phone 02 6746 1755
Postal Address
PO Box 152
Quirindi NSW 2343
Email [email protected]
Moree Plains Shire Council
Senor Biosecurity Officer
Ian Schwartz 0427 044 521
Biosecurity Officer
Lachlan Biddle 0408 204 577
Moree Office
Level 2, Max Centre
30 Heber Street
Moree NSW 2400
Phone 02 6757 3222
Postal Address
PO Box 420
Moree NSW 2400
Email [email protected]
Mungindi Office
CTC Building
153 St George Street
Mungindi NSW 2406
Phone 02 6753 2389
Postal Address
PO Box 39
Mungindi NSW 2406
Boggabilla Office
Boggabilla TAFE
South Street
Boggabilla NSW 2409
Phone 07 4676 2915
Postal Address
PO Box 764
Goondiwindi QLD 4390
Narrabri Shire Council
Senior Authorised Officer - Weeds
Clare Felton-Taylor 0427 294 771
Authorised Officer - Weeds
Chris Watkins 0429 202 205
46-48 Maitland Street
Narrabri NSW 2390
Phone 02 6799 6866
Postal Address
PO Box 261
Narrabri NSW 2390
Email [email protected]
Tamworth Regional Council
Senior Weeds Officer
Mal Stein 0429 821 579
Weeds Officer
Robert Burr 0419 271 593
Ray Walsh House
437 Peel Street
Tamworth NSW 2340
Phone 02 6767 5555
Postal Address
PO Box 555
Tamworth NSW 2340
Email [email protected]
Walgett Shire Council
Castlereagh Macquarie Weeds
County Council
Senior Weeds Officer
Andrea Fletcher 0428 462 060
Weeds Officer
Mat Savage 0427 253 463
77 Fox Street Walgett NSW 2832
Phone 02 6828 6100
Postal Address
PO Box 31
Walgett NSW 2832
E-mail [email protected]
NW Local Land Services
Moree Office 02 6750 9000
Warialda Office 02 6729 1529
Narrabri Office 1300 795 299
Tamworth Office 02 6764 5900
Walgett Office 02 6828 6400
Gunnedah Office 02 6742 9220
Goondiwindi Office 0428 432 784
Department of Primary Industries
Biosecurity Help Line 1800 680 244
North West Regional Weeds Officers If you find any suspicious weeds please call your local council so their response team can work with you on identify-
ing and controlling any State Priority Weeds you might find on your property.
How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 7
8
Websites
Atlas of Living Australia - https://www.ala.org.au/
Australian Invasive Cacti Network (AICN) - http://www.aicn.org.au/
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicinal Authority (APVMA) - https://portal.apvma.gov.au
Biological Control DPI - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/projects/biological-control
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/
DPI Weeds - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds
NSW Biocontrol Weeds Taskforce - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-control/biological-control/
nsw-weed-biocontrol-taskforce
NSW WeedWise - http://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/
North West Local Land Services (NW LLS) - https://northwest.lls.nsw.gov.au/
North West Weeds - http://www.northwestweeds.com.au/
PlantNET - http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
Weed Control and Identification - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-control
Weeds of National Significance - http://weeds.ala.org.au/WoNS/
North West Landcare
North West Plains Sustainability Group - https://www.facebook.com/northwestplainsgroup/
Northern Slopes Landcare Association - http://www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/
Tamworth Regional Landcare Association - http://www.trla.org.au/
Resources
Australian Weed Strategy - http://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/pest-animals-
and-weeds/review-aus-pest-animal-weed-strategy/aus-weeds-strategy
New South Wales Weed Control Handbook - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-control/
management-guides/noxious-enviro-weed-control
Invasive Cacti Field Guide: Identification and control of invasive cacti, North West NSW - https://
www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/images/Cacti/5537_Cacti_Booklet_VeryFINAL_WEB.pdf
Opuntiod Cacti Best Practice Control Manual - https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/opuntioid-cacti-best-
practice-control-manual
NSW Acts and Regulations
Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 - https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/2016/63
Biosecurity Act 2015 - https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/legislation/list/biosecurity-act-2015
EPA Pesticide Act 1999 - https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and-regulation/legislation-and-compliance/acts-
administered-by-the-epa/act-summaries#pa
EPA Pesticide Regulation 2017 - https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and-regulation/legislation-and-compliance/
acts-administered-by-the-epa/regulation-summaries#PestReg
Local Land Services Act 2013 - https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/2013/51
Further Information
NW Local Land Services - Feedback Online: rateitnow.com/
northwestllsregion
Cactus Quarterly - Sign Up
Online: http://eepurl.com/dH1wAv
QR Reader App
Cactus Quarterly - Contact
NW Cacti Control Coordinator
Northern Slopes Landcare Association
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0402 014 769
How invasive is YOUR cactus? Page 8
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