Pandanus Monitoring Update
The monitoring and treatment of Pandanus on the Cooloola Coast during 2006 was very timely as high incidences of infestation by the leafhopper Jamella australiae had been found at Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Cove and Tin Can Bay.
The partnership with QNPWS and CSC proved most beneficial with two Coastcare Project officers and QNPWS staff working to inject pandanus populations at Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Cove and Tin Can Bay, including many private residences.
Further inspection by Mr Tony Monro (QNPWS) and Ms Maree Prior (Cooloola Coastcare Assoc Inc) was undertaken along Snapper Creek on Dept of Defence land in November 2006; then again with Mr Nat Smith (QNPWS) in Teebar Ck and Seary’s Creek in Tin Can Inlet in February, 2007.
Mr Smith observed evidence of the presence of the predatory wasp which can control Jamella populations at the Seary’s Creek site; and that previously infested pandanus seemed to be recovering.
Ongoing monitoring will be required.
Maree Prior. March, 2007
Pandanus dieback
From the early 90's, coastal pandanus trees (Pandanus tectorius var. pedunculatus) in SE Qld have been infested by an insect which have caused severe dieback. The insect, a leafhopper (Jamella australiae), has threatened pandanus populations from Tweed Heads to Agnes Water.
Control measures were initiated in 1995 & successful control of the insect was achieved by 1998. During 2003, Cooloola Coastcare received an Australian Govt Envirofund grant to map, monitor & if necessary, treat infested plants throughout the Tin Can Inlet. Volunteer, Mr Doug Collins, of Rainbow Beach played a lead role in this work.
Qld National Parks staff & Cooloola Coastcare are currently working together on a monitoring & treatment program of all pandanus at the Northern end of Cooloola National Park, Tin Can Inlet and Cooloola Shire Foreshores & Parks (partly funded by CSC Environment Levy).
Please assist us by:- Reporting suspected dieback (large amounts of dead & yellow leaf through the head of the plant). Identification brochures are available at the Post Offices at Rainbow Beach & Tin Can Bay.
- Purchase only local pandanus plants, propagated from local seed stock (available at City Farm Nursery, TCB).
- Not transporting pandanus plants from shire to shire, as this may help introduce the leafhopper into an unaffected area.
- Registering your interest in volunteer monitoring and/or leaf stripping- like most projects- many hands makes light work
