Beautiful beetle to the rescue for fire impacted waterways
More than 400 jewel beetles (Hylaeogena jureceki) have been released into bushfire impacted areas on the Rocky River with the help of OzFish volunteers to assist fish habitat restoration.
They are set to fill their stomachs and eat away at the invasive cats claw creeper which has been overwhelming natives trying to rejuvenate after the fires.
The release location was scorched during the Black Summer bushfires and is located where a wild population of endangered Eastern Freshwater Cod is known to be surviving.
The project is being undertaken through a partnership with Landcare Australia and fishing conservation charity OzFish Unlimited, who are working together to help endangered aquatic species after seeing the devastating impacts from the fires.
The beetles which were bred at NSW Government Department of Primary Industry facility in Grafton, provide a low risk, natural and cost-effective approach to combatting the invasive vine as it is known to exclusively eat the plant.
Harry Davey, OzFish Project Officer, says that using harmful chemicals to control the vine so close to the water’s edge was not an option.
“We can use chemical control away from the water, but we don’t want to use it anywhere where there is potential to overspray onto the water, so this natural method is a win for the fish and a win for the bushfire recovery,” said Harry.
“It can eat the cats craw creeper, all the way up the Rocky River as far as I’m concerned.”
The cats claw creeper has been smothering fire impacted areas. The vine has oppositely arranged leaves that consist of a distinctive three-clawed tendril which allows it to take hold of trees and smother surrounding vegetation, often forming a dense woody matt across newly germinating native plants.
The vine also blocks natural sources of food from entering the water by smothering the overhanging trees and preventing insect fall as well as new plant growth. It also limits shelter and shade that the endangered cod rely on.
“Up to 40% of the fish’s diet consists of food sources that inhabit the thick vegetation found here so it’s vital the riparian zones are restored, we want that back so the fish have plenty of food, especially after so much bushfire damage,” said Harry.
“We are working with some fantastic landholders here, they value their river and we thank them for their proactive approach to caring for it and the cod after so much devastation”.
Harry is confident that this is not the last time the jewel beetle will come to the rescue, as there have been several calls for help in nearby areas to stop to spread of the cats claw creeper.
The project has been made possible by the Australian Government’s Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery program and OzFish’s major partner BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.
To learn more about the project and get involved with your local OzFish Chapter go to ozfish.org.au or call 1800 431 308.