Prickly acacia is a serious threat to Queensland’s agriculture sector, costing primary producers more than $9 million annually in lost production.
Following Federal Government approval, Biosecurity Queensland has released gall thrips (Acaciothrips ebneri), a biological control agent from Ethiopia, at trial sites in northern Queensland heavily infested with prickly acacia.
Research has shown gall thrips are highly host specific and have the potential to cause serious damage to prickly acacia shoot tips.
Biosecurity Queensland scientists have been working with local Natural Resource Management Groups, local councils, and graziers to identify prospective release sites over the next 3 to 4 years.
