Fireblight Beetle Site Summer Recovery

In the Spring time last year this site posted an article on the damage to Wattles that Fireblight Beetle can cause, where thick regrowth of Black Wattle had been completely defoliated by these beetles and their larvae.

Over Summer the Fireblight Beetles have gone to ground and the Wattles have staged a dramatic comeback, with virtually all the wattles that looked dead and gone re-sprouting with fresh new growth along with new seeds germinating. Surely there will be another dramatic change later in the year in the cooler months when the Beetles become active and the Black Wattles will cop another attack. The whole process of the Wattles losing their foliage in spring would benefit other native plants that are fighting for space and light.

Black Wattles recovering form their battle with Fireblight beetles last winter.

This site in September last year had all the Black Wattle (Mid Storey) defoliated by the Fireblight Beetle.

This same area 6 Months later and the Wattle saplings still look quite bare but most have regrowth.

Fresh Black Wattle regrowth with no sign of any Fireblight Beetles (yet)

Eucalypt seedling taking advantage of the Wattle dieback to have a growth spurt.

Not only have the existing Wattle trees resprouted but new seedlings are also popping up.