The project has identified several agents that have potential be effective in the control of cabomba in Australia..

 

Cabomba is an aquatic weed native to South America that has been commonly used in aquariums. It is difficult to control because chemical and physical control methods have been proven to be expensive and only control options.. Since its introduction into Australia, it has found its way into numerous waterways where it has negative impacts on biodiversity, water quality, water storage, and recreational facilities.

 

The aim of the research project was to identify agents and then test the host specificity of these agents to the Cabomba weed.  This is important to make sure the agents do not affect other plants if it released into the environment.

 

Until the discovery of  a weevil as a possible agent , no biological control for the Cabomba weed had been identified. 

 

According to National Aquatic Weeds Coordinator Andrew Petroeschevsky the project is highly strategic in nature as it implements a number of key priorities identified in the National Strategic Plan for Cabomba.

 

The project is a joint initiative of Noosa & District Landcare, the Burnett Mary Regional Group, CSIRO Entomology, Noosa Shire Council, Lake Macdonald Catchment Care Group, Department of Environment and Heritage, Australian Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry and Land and Water Australia.  It took place in South America, CSIRO Laboratories in Brisbane and at selected locations around Australia including Lake Macdonald, near Cooroy.

 

Weeds and pest Co-ordinator with the Burnett Mary Regional Group, Nora Brandli, said that the eventual outcome of the research is to effectively manage the Cabomba weed without the use of chemicals.

 

“This requires a number of other environmental restrictions be placed on Cabomba to be effective,” she said.

 

“This is such a terrible weed, with the potential to spread right through Australian aquatic habitats, so an effective biological control would be fantastic.”

 

For more information contact Nora Brandli at the Burnett Mary Regional Group on Ph: 4181 2999

 

Photo by (W. Cabrera-Walsh, USDA-SABCL)

The weevil currently being tested in

quarantine, Hydrotimetes natans.

 

 

 

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