AGRICULTURAL NEWS - It's the time of year again when you can help control the spread of black wattle trees (Acacia mearnsii). The alien invasive tree species, notorious for its aggressive growth, is a threat to the indigenous forests in the Garden Route. 

After the devastating fires that swept through the region, fanned by the high fuel-load of alien infestations, preventing new growth of aliens takes high priority.

This time of year offers a small window of opportunity to stop the spreading of these trees by introducing biocontrol.

The black wattle gall midge (Dasineura ribiformis) is an insect that lays its eggs in black wattle flowers to ensure the emerging larvae have a constant food-source, as they feed on the ovaries of the flowers. This prevents viable seed from forming, which is an important step in controlling the spreading of the alien. 

Spreading the galls which appear at this time of the year can limit the production of seed now.

How to do it: Snip off galls from already infected trees and place them under trees not yet infected. The window of opportunity to infect trees, however, is small; one should act within the next few weeks. 

The Black Wattle Gall Midge (Dasineura ribiformis) has laid its eggs in black wattle flowers, ensuring the emerging larvae of food, as they feed on the ovary of the flowers. This is what gardeners and concerned residents can use to help get rid of the invasive tree.

Help take back the "garden" of the Garden Route from dense stands of wattle infestations that compete with and replace indigenous vegetation, deplete our dwindling water resources, reduce stream flow, disrupt catchment areas and pose an intensified fire hazard, thus threatening survival of indigenous biodiversity.

Galls can be obtained from the Garden Route Botanical Garden office and nursery. For more information, phone 044 874 1558.

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