myrtle rust disease - threat to mallees

A bright yellow nightmare

Averyll Loft | 8th July 2011



Myrtle rust, which is bright yellow and looks like pom poms, spreads quickly and easily. It is feared the ?virtually unstoppable? fungus will spread rapidly through the Fraser Coast, wiping out the region?s native forests.
Dr Louise Morin CSIRO

THE Fraser Coast's pristine forests could be wiped out within the next few years if an aggressive fungal disease continues to spread like wildfire through the region's native flora.

Myrtle rust, first found on the Fraser Coast in May, is virtually unstoppable because of the large number of spores it produces and the ease with which they are spread.

Biosecurity experts now fear it could ?obliterate? major species of the region's native forests due to its susceptible flora population ? and take down the local beekeeping industry with it.

?It's not affecting us yet but it's out there and there's no stopping it,? Maryborough apiarist Rob Wilkinson said.

Mr Wilkinson, Wide Bay Branch of the Queensland Beekeepers Association secretary/treasurer, was given the dire news along with fellow beekeepers at a recent meeting with a Department of Primary Industries scientist.

?Myrtle rust has been identified at Curra and Hervey Bay and it's expected to be spreading quickly ? we have a very susceptible flora population,? he said.

?Ultimately, our forests could become unproductive and that won't only affect bees but native wildlife such as koalas.?

Myrtle rust, first detected last year on the New South Wales central cost, is native to South America and is thought to have slipped through quarantine.

Since then it has spread to 135 sites through forests, nurseries and gardens. It attacks many species within 27 sub-groups such as eucalyptus (gum trees), melaleuca (tea trees and paperbarks) and callistemon (bottlebrushes).

?The fungus is bright yellow and look like pom poms,? Mr Wilkinson said. ?It defoliates the tree, deforms the leaves and stunts it growth. The tree can wither away and die in a matter of days.?

The state and federal governments have spent more than $2 million on trying to eradicate it.

Mr Wilkinson said he had already noticed possible signs of rust near his hives at North Aramara and Kingaroy.

?I'm not 100% sure it's myrtle rust but the edge of the forest at Aramara appears to be dying and some large gum trees seem to be suffering ? some leafless ? at Kingaroy.?

Fraser Coast residents who suspect the presence of myrtle rust on their plants or property must notify Biosecurity Queensland on 132 523 within 24 hours.

In the meantime, do not move any plants that may be infected as this could spread the disease.

http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2011/07/08/a-bright-yellow-nightmare-for-native-flora/