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Dr Tim Heard: the insect tracker

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Dr Tim Heard spends much of his time in Central and South America searching for biological control agents for Australian weeds.

Emergency detection and response

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO technologies are helping Australians prepare for, detect, respond to and recover from natural disasters and emergency situations.

The European rabbit

Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 +1000

European rabbits were introduced into Australia in 1859 and soon became a major pest species. Read about their distribution and control.

Scorched gum leaves: fuel for fire?

Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 +1000

In a bushfire, sometimes the leaves of eucalypt trees don’t appear to burn thoroughly. Instead they change from green to brown and are left hanging on the trees. Could these leaves be fuel for another fire?

Myxomatosis and rabbits in Australia today

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Introduced by CSIRO in 1950, myxomatosis almost wiped out Australia’s pest rabbits. Natural selection has led to a balance between myxoma virus and wild rabbits today, but pet bunnies remain highly susceptible.

The virus that stunned Australia's rabbits

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +1100

The release of myxoma virus in 1950 led to a dramatic reduction of Australia’s rabbit population and recovered A$68 million to the wool and meat industries within two years.

Biological control of silverleaf whitefly

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Our scientists are researching the biological processes behind invasive pests species and the role of landscapes in implementing effective biocontrol agents.

CSIRO’s bait box technique for termite control

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1000

The bait box technique for termite control gives property owners a practical method of controlling an existing termite infestation.

Bitou bush biocontrol agent: the leaf-rolling moth

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

A leaf-rolling moth was the last biological control agent to be released on bitou bush in Australia.

Monitoring for the establishment of leaf rolling moth

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

This brochure discusses research into conditions affecting the low establishment rate of the bitou bush leaf-rolling moth. (2 pages)

Steps in a weed biological control program

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Biological control involves a huge investment of time and resources to be successful at managing and controlling target weed species.

What a tangled food web

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Scientists are studying interactions between insect communities in crop and non-crop vegetation to help get the most out of natural pest control. (2 pages)

National database of agent release sites

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

This spreadsheet contains information on release sites for bridal creeper biocontrol agents in Australia as of July 2008.

Management and control of bridal creeper

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Bridal creeper is a serious weed in southern Australia because of its invasiveness, and its economic and environmental impacts.

Biological control of weeds

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

This brochure outlines the process of controlling weeds with naturally occurring insects and plant pathogens. (2 pages)

Biological control of Onopordum thistles in South-East Australia

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO research on the biological control of Onopordum thistles is leading to the return of many pastures to greater productivity.

Biological control of blue heliotrope

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Blue heliotrope, originally introduced as an ornamental plant, is now a pest in several Australian states.

Controlling mesquite in northern Australia

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Current mesquite research is investigating the integration of traditional management practices with fire, grazing management and biological control.

Climate change and invasive plants in South Australia

Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 +1000

This report examines the potential impact of climate change on weeds in South Australia and adaptation options for weed management strategies. Projections of future climate scenarios indicating higher temperatures and less rainfall on average in South Australia could mean a shift in climate suitability for many weed species.

Mesquite biocontrol with the leaf-tier, Evippe sp. #1

Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 +1000

This fact sheet describes research on Evippe sp. #1, a leaf tying-moth that was released in Australia as a biological control agent on mesquite.

Mesquite biocontrol with the sap-sucking Coreid, Mozena obtusa

Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 +1000

The sap-sucking Coreid, Mozena obtusa was investigated as a potential biological control agent for mesquite in Australia.

Mesquite biocontrol with the sap-sucking psyllid, Prosopidopsylla flava

Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 +1000

The sap-sucking psyllid, Prosopidopsylla flava was released in Australia as a biological control agent for mesquite.

Psocid research leads to more targeted control

Sat, 01 May 2010 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO's research into the origin and behaviour of psocids is leading to more targeted control.

Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +1000

This document contains proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. (648 pages)

New crops, new pests?

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1100

This document includes the presentation from forum two of the Biosecurity in the new bioeconomy: threats and opportunities symposia, held 18-21 November 2009 in Canberra, ACT. (33 pages)

Managing invasive insects

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1100

Biological control is one alternative to chemical pesticides being researched by CSIRO.

Calicivirus comes under attack

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +1100

CSIRO researchers are unravelling the source of possible resistance to rabbit calicivirus and looking for new approaches to control rabbits. (3 pages)

Weedy blackberry and raspberry species in Western Australia and strategies for their management

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1100

The document details characteristics for identifying Rubus species found in Western Australia and summarises control options and activities. (30 pages)

Management of invasive European blackberry

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1100

Blackberry infests about 8.8 million hectares of temperate Australia and biological control remains the only viable management option for many infestations.

Reward for fight against ant invaders

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +1100

African Big Headed, Yellow Crazy, Tropical Fire and Singapore ants are only small foot soldiers, but vast colonies of these invasive insects are wreaking havoc throughout northern Australia - causing major environmental, economical and social damage.

Bridal creeper rust fungus

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Bridal creeper rust fungus is one of three agents released to help reduce the impacts of bridal creeper in Australia.

Ecology and management of Australian weeds

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO Entomology’s weed research focuses on controlling tropical and temperate weeds by integrating biological control with conventional methods.

Making use of the natural predators and parasites found in native vegetation

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +1000

This information sheet discusses research on the role of native vegetation as a source of beneficial insects for pest management strategies for cotton and grain growers. (2 pages)

Biological control of Gorse

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Scientists are searching for fungal pathogens as potential biocontrol agents for gorse in Australia.

Trading Blows: can we control invasive species through trade agreements?

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +1000

This 39-minute video captures a seminar given by CSIRO's Biodiversity Research Director, Dr Mark Lonsdale as part of the United Nations’ International Day for Biological Diversity 2009. Watch the video below, or download the accompanying PowerPoint slides. (51 pages)

Management of Noogoora burr

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO undertook a project in 2006-08 to determine the feasibility of enhancing biological control of the invasive plant Noogoora burr in northern Australia.

Biological control of Cape tulips

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Cape tulips were introduced into Australia as ornamentals but they are now pasture pests in all the southern states.

Biological control of the aquatic weed, Salvinia molesta

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Infestations of the aquatic weed, salvinia, disrupted waterways in tropical countries but biological control using a tiny weevil brought it under control in many places.

Biosecurity and invasive species

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO research is helping to manage the increasing threat and damage from invasive alien species that come with globalisation.

Bridal creeper leaf beetle

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +1000

The bridal creeper leaf beetle is one of three biological control agents released in Australia to help manage this weed.

Bridal creeper leafhopper

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +1000

The bridal creeper leafhopper is one of three biocontrol agents helping control this environmental weed.

Bridal creeper agent release form

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Download the release form for recording bridal creeper biological control agents. (1 page)

The Bushfire CRC: understanding bushfires through collaboration

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +1100

The Bushfire CRC is a national research centre developed in partnership with fire and land management agencies and research institutions, including the CSIRO, to reduce bushfire risk to the community.

Bushfires

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +1100

CSIRO bushfire research is improving the understanding of fire, and improving technologies and strategies to save lives and limit damage.

Understanding building infrastructure performance in bushfires

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +1100

CSIRO has a strong history in observing and recording the way in which bushfires impact on infrastructure.

Q&A: Victorian bushfires

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +1100

Your questions answered by CSIRO scientists, drawing on internationally respected bushfire, climate and urban development research.

Download SiroFire - The Bushfire Spread Simulator

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +1100

CSIRO’s SiroFire gave fire control officers access to a real-time computer-based bushfire spread simulator for the first time.

The CSIRO Fire Danger and Fire Spread Calculator

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +1100

The CSIRO Fire Danger and Fire Spread Calculator is a computer program available as a 943 Kb zip file that can be downloaded for use in assisting rural fire authorities across Australia.

SiroFire – helping fire authorities predict wildfire spread

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +1100

CSIRO’s SiroFire gave fire control officers access to a real-time computer-based bushfire spread simulator for the first time.

Improving fire safety, control and prevention

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +1100

Expertise and a first-class research and testing laboratory makes CSIRO a global leader in the area of fire safety, control and prevention.