The history of biological control of skeleton weed in Western Australia
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-2024
Conference Title
23rd Australasian Weeds Conference - Breaking the Cycle: Towards Sustainable Weed Mangement
Place of Publication
Brisbane
ISBN
978-0-646-70156-1
Keywords
skeleton weed, Chondrilla juncea, biological control, gall midge, Cystiphora schmidti, rust fungus, Puccinia chondrillina, Western Australia
Disciplines
Weed Science
Abstract
Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea L.) biocontrol agents were sent to Western Australia (WA) in the 1970s and 1980s but little monitoring occurred after release. Field surveys of agents present were conducted recently in preparation for the introduction of the skeleton weed gall midge (Cystiphora schmidti Rubsaamen) or other agents that had been released previously in WA or the eastern states of Australia. The surveys found that a rust (Puccinia chondrillina Bubak & P.Syd) was already established in some areas, and the rust was identified as matching one of the originally introduced strains. This paper investigates the history of skeleton weed biocontrol agents in WA and complements work on their current distribution and the skeleton weed biotypes on which they occur, culminating in the release of the gall midge Cystiphora schmidti to strengthen biological control of skeleton weed in Western Australia.
Recommended Citation
Detchon, K,
Davy, M,
Batchelor, K L,
Campos, M,
Hunter, G C,
and
Moore, J H.
(2024), The history of biological control of skeleton weed in Western Australia, 23rd Australasian Weeds Conference - Breaking the Cycle: Towards Sustainable Weed Mangement, Brisbane, pp.79-82.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/conf_papers/296
