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Ulex europaeus L. - Gorse
Citation
Ireson, J and Davies, JT, Ulex europaeus L. - Gorse, Biological Control of Weeds in Australia, CSIRO Publishing, M Julien, R McFadyen and J Cullen (ed), Melbourne, pp. 581-590. ISBN 978-0643099-93-7 (2012) [Research Book Chapter]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2012 CSIRO
Official URL: http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6509.htm
Abstract
Gorse, Ulex europaeus, is one of the most invasive weeds
in south-eastern Australia and is difficult to control by
traditional methods. The annual cost of gorse management
to agricultural industries alone has been estimated
at $7 million. Biological control is being investigated as a
cheaper and long-term control option to reduce the
spread and impact of gorse, particularly in areas where it
is widespread or inaccessible. Three foliage-feeding
agents and a seed-feeder have now been released for its
biological control in Australia. The gorse seed weevil
Exapion ulicis, released in 1939, and the gorse spider mite
Tetranychus lintearius, released in 1998, are now widespread
across south-eastern Australia. The gorse thrips
Sericothrips staphylinus, released in 2001, is now established
and although initially slow to spread, populations
have started to disperse exponentially in Tas. Establishment
of the gorse soft shoot moth Agonopterix umbelana
was confirmed in Tas in 2010 following its release in 2007.
These four agents are expected to reduce plant vigour and
seed output in the long term. Release of a second seedfeeding
agent, the gorse pod moth Cydia succedana, will
be dependent on the outcome of host-specificity tests. In
combination with the gorse seed weevil, this species has
the potential to reduce gorse seed banks below critical
replacement levels in some areas. European surveys have
found no new agents worth pursuing. Integrated control
techniques offer the best prospects for long-term control
in areas where gorse is actively managed, but the extent to
which biological control will play a role will only be
determined by future research once the complete guild of
available agents is established.
Item Details
Item Type: | Research Book Chapter |
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Keywords: | biological control, Exapion ulicis, Tetranychus lintearius, Sericothrips staphylinus, Agonopterix umbel/ana, Cydia succedana |
Research Division: | Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences |
Research Group: | Crop and pasture production |
Research Field: | Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
Objective Field: | Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in terrestrial environments |
UTAS Author: | Ireson, J (Dr John Ireson) |
UTAS Author: | Davies, JT (Mr Jamie Davies) |
ID Code: | 63126 |
Year Published: | 2012 |
Deposited By: | Agricultural Science |
Deposited On: | 2010-04-15 |
Last Modified: | 2017-04-20 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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