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Bridal creeper, Asparagus asparagoides

Bridal creeper, a South African invader, infests native vegetation in all southern Australian states. It forms massive tuber mats in the soil and impenetrable thickets of foliage. The tuber mats prevent native plant seedlings from establishing and birds eating fruits spread seeds of the weed.

Three biological control agents have been released in Australia; a leafhopper, Zygina sp. (in 1999), a rust fungus, Puccinia myrsiphylli (in 2000) and a leaf beetle, Crioceris sp. (in 2002).

Both the leafhopper and the rust fungus are causing impressive damage at release sites in south-eastern New South Wales and Western Australia and are now part of a national redistribution program.

Collaborative studies, with personnel from other agencies from across southern Australia, are underway to measure the impact of these two agents on populations of bridal creeper.

Supported by: Natural Heritage Trust, Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management, Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council,

Collaborators: Victorian Department of Primary Industries, NSW Agriculture, South Australian Animal and Plant Control Commission