Sirex wood wasp is a major pest of softwood plantations in Australia, with a combined impact of $35 million in outbreaks and management since it established.
A long-established biocontrol program, in conjunction with maintaining stand health through optimum silviculture, has been successful in reducing this impact. Research over the past two decades — funded by the National Sirex Coordination Committee, FWPA and the ARC — has identified issues with the sirex trap tree plot program associated with establishment techniques and ips bark beetles.
This research also identified suboptimal efficacy in the current nematode strain (Kamona) used for sirex biocontrol and inadvertently discovered a new nematode strain (Lineage D) established in Australia. The current project aims to collect and culture representative isolates of Lineage D from across south-eastern Australia and bulk these up in preparedness for operational release. Introduction of Lineage D into the sirex control program is expected to improve sirex control and reduce the impact of outbreaks on plantation productivity.
Program:
Damage Agents Investment Plan (further detail available here)
Research Organisation:
DPI NSW
