Are your Wattles dying?

Recently a fairly dramatic change to the understorey has been occurring in some areas affected by the 2009 Bushfires. In some localities where the fires triggered mass germination of either Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) or Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) widespread defoliation and dieback of these species has become very apparent.

The cause of this dieback is an insect known as the Fireblight Beetle (Peltoschema orphana ). The Beetles lay eggs on the underside of the leaves and the small grub like larvae also feed on the foliage. The species (although native to Australia) has been identified as a significant pest when people have tried to establish Wattle plantations and the thick regrowth after fires of the wattles has mimicked these conditions.

The dieback has resulted in a rapid opening up of the understorey and more light and less competition will enable other species to grow. Look out for weeds taking advantage of this new open space, but hopefully the event can provide an opportunity for other native understorey species to flourish, while retaining enough Black and Silver Wattle trees to continue to provide important habitat for animals such as sugar gliders and various bird species.

The Beetle is thought to avoid summer heat by hibernating in spring. It emerges in Autumn to start eating new foliage and lay its eggs. The hatched larvae then form into new beetles and the cycle continues.

Fireblight- Beetle – Peltoschema Orphana as it munches away on the foliage of a Black Wattle – Acacia mearnsii

Wattle Dieback caused by Fireblight Beetle

Eastern Grey Kangaroo – Macropus giganteus

Eastern Grey Kangaroo – Remote Camera Photo

The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is one species that has recovered quickly after the fires. With their ability to move quickly they had more chance of escaping the fire front and are also able to recolonise areas quickly. The open canopy after the fire provided the opportunity for fresh green grasses and herbs to grow which is the Kangaroos preferred diet.

Remote Wildlife Cameras

Do you have some bushland on your property and are curious to know what wildlife might be around? As part of this Bushfire Recovery Project we are using remote cameras to get an idea of what animals have survived or recolonised the burnt areas. At this stage (after about a month of filming) we have recorded species such as Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Swamp Wallabies and Wombats as well as Foxes (unfortunately widespread) and Rabbits. We are very keen to move our cameras around and hopefully get some evidence of some smaller marsupials thriving such as Bandicoots and Bush Rats, or even get some snaps of a Strzelecki Koala. Get in contact with us at meganh@wgcma.vic.au if you are interested in borrowing a camera to use in your patch of bush.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Photomonitoring Points