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Blackwood Biosecurity Inc

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25.01.2022 Research reveals the behaviour of weeds has changed significantly in Western Australia over the past three decades, resulting in an increased emergence of minor weeds and highlighting the value of harvest weed seed control. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is examining the biology of 10 emerging weed species in the grainbelt that threaten crop productivity and profitability to improve integrated weed management strategies. The research is ...Continue reading

16.01.2022 BIOSECURITY BLITZ is on again &has been enhanced with a 30 day challenge to bolster community surveillance and help protect Western Australia’s important agriculture and fisheries industries from exotic pests, weeds and diseases. It is the sixth year the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has hosted the annual Biosecurity Blitz campaign, which will run from 19 October to 16 November. Department development officer Laura Fagan said the 2020 program included a number of initiatives to encourage people to survey their local area and find out what biosecurity threats could be lurking in their backyard.

14.01.2022 Check citrus trees for destructive pest before moving. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and industry group, WA Citrus, are urging people who have recently purchased citrus trees to check their trees, after citrus gall wasp was recently found in a plant at a Bunbury nursery.This pest damages citrus trees by producing galls that weaken branches, eventually making them unproductive if left unmanaged. Galls are most visible at this time of year, so in...fested trees are easier to spot. WA Citrus biosecurity representative Helen Newman said now is a good time for people to be moving citrus trees, as galls are visible. Moving infested plants poses a key risk of spreading this pest, Ms Newman said. Galls are most visible at this time of year, so infested trees are easier to spot. We remind people to check citrus trees for galls, and prune as needed, before they move them. Any infested material must be treated. Trees can become newly infested from September onwards, and there may be no visible signs of infestation until the galls are seen the following April or May. This means moving trees during the spring-summer period is risky as the pest can unknowingly be spread. Ms Newman said gardeners should be checking their trees and undertaking any control, before the wasp starts emerging in September. Each wasp lays up to 100 eggs so pruning heavily infested trees and correctly disposing of infested material will stop thousands of wasps emerging and spreading, she said. Home gardeners play a really important role in helping to limit the spread of gall wasp and help keep this pest out of commercial orchards. DPIRD research scientist Rachelle Johnstone said pruned plant material needs to be treated before disposal otherwise the wasps could still emerge. Galls can be solarised by placing them in a well-sealed plastic bag and left in the sun for at least four weeks. Large galls may need to be chopped up, Ms Johnstone said. If people are unable to prune now, horticultural glue can be used on the galls to trap and kill the wasps as they emerge. We remind gardeners in both metropolitan and regional areas to pay close attention to their trees and report suspect detections as soon as possible. To report the presence of citrus gall wasp, send a photo and your location (suburb) using the department’s MyPestGuideTM Reporter app (select ‘Citrus gall wasp survey’ project) or contact the Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080, [email protected] Further information on citrus gall wasp control is available on the department website agric.wa.gov.au search ‘citrus gall wasp’

11.01.2022 Arum Lily is very visible at the moment, and now is the time to report and control it.

11.01.2022 Biosecurity Alert: Queensland fruit fly, (Bactrocera tryoni) or Qfly, was detected in Dalkeith in March 2020. A native to Australia, it is considered one of the most serious pests of fruit, vegetables and a large range of crops. Adult Qfly are approximately 6-8 mm long, have three body segments, wings and 6 legs. The head has two red eyes with two very short antennae (only visible under close inspection). The thorax (middle segment) is reddish-brown with yellow patches on the... sides and back. An eradication programme to prevent potential spread is underway and includes baiting, surveillance and the establishment of a quarantine area. Qfly has been eradicated from Perth seven times since the 1980’s. Any sightings should be reported to MyPestGuideTM reporter, either online, or using the free MyPestGuide app. Visit DPIRD's Facebook page for more information and quarantine map. See more

08.01.2022 BLACKWOOD BIOSECURITY SEPTEMBER WEED WORKSHOPS. IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY REGISTERED, PLEASE DO SO NOW. to JENNY CARLEY l [email protected] or phone: 0418 509 314

07.01.2022 Another Declared Aquatic Weed Pest: AMAZON FROGBIT (Limnobium laevigatum). Amazon frogbit is an aggressive weed, commonly sold as an aquarium plant. When disposed of inappropriately the plant can cause widespread devastation, establishing dense mats which congest drains, waterways and wetlands, smothering native vegetation and impacting water quality. It spreads rapidly via fragments that are readily detached from the parent plant. Early reporting and intervention are critical. DBCA are calling for you to become familiar with this weed and able to recognise it. Any sightings should be reported to MyPestGuideTM reporter, either online, or using the free MyPestGuide app. For information on how to manage the weed, contact Amy Krupa: [email protected]

07.01.2022 NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2020: Pollination research off to a flying start With the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) leading the national project by examining native flies as pollinators. For more information please see the attached DPIRD media statement: NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2020: Pollination research off to a flying start