GOLDFIELDS NULLARBOR RANGELANDS BIOSECURITY ASSOCIATION
HUDSON PEAR
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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF Brown Spined Hudson Pear in Coolgardie
Plants that are prevented entry into the State or have control or keeping requirements within the State are known as declared pests. Brown Spined Hudson Pear (Cylindropuntia tunicata) is classified as a declared pest in Western Australia. Therefore, tenure owners/managers that have existing established infestations of Brown Spined Hudson Pear (BSHP) have a duty to control the pest under the BAM Act 2007.
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BACKGROUND
Coolgardie Shire contacted the Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association (GNRBA) in late 2019 to discuss methods of control of the Brown Spined Hudson Pear within the town of Coolgardie. Traditional spraying methods by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) have been undertaken over several years but prove to be a heavy investment of resources both physically and financially and require regular
respraying after rain and warm weather.
Physical removal has also been attempted only to discover the ease at which the plant relocates itself via boots/clothing and machinery, to reinvigorate when conditions proved favourable.
Following initial discussions between the Shire of Coolgardie and the GNRBA, it was agreed that the GNRBA would develop and run a biological control program for BSHP within the townsite of Coolgardie. Once the program was up and running and Shire employees were sufficiently trained in the management and distribution of the biological agent (cochineal) it was agreed the program was to be handed over to the Shire of Coolgardie for ongoing management.
RESULTS
The GNRBA have had great success introducing various cochineal biotypes on several species of cacti within the Goldfields. This is the first program the GNRBA has undertaken using biological control on Cylindropuntia tunicata.
The re-distribution of cochineal requires very little time and expense. A bucket, a long pair of bbq tongs and appropriate clothing is all the resources needed to re-distribute the cochineal across the landscape.
The impact cochineal is having on BSHP is exciting. It is showing all signs of successfully killing the cactus with no impact on it’s surrounding environment. As the cochineal relies solely on the cactus for its food source it is imperative that this is constantly monitored and managed to ensure the effective eradication of BSHP in the town of Coolgardie.
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