Listronotus appendiculatus risk analysis

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Consultation has concluded

We conducted a risk analysis for the proposed release of the weevil Listronotus appendiculatus into Australia. The purpose of this release is to control the aquatic weeds Sagittaria platyphylla and Sagittaria calycina.

The use of exotic biological control agents to control invertebrate pests, weeds and other organisms has been common in Australia for many years. Releasing pathogenic, herbivorous, predatory or parasitic organisms into the Australian environment can have potential “off-target” risks. This means risk to other plants or invertebrate animals not targeted by the biological control agent.

We began this risk analysis in response to an application to release Listronotus appendiculatus to control Sagittaria platyphylla and Sagittaria calycina. The application was submitted by the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR). We will not commence an assessment to release a biological control agent unless the target pest species has been approved by an appropriate government body. Both Sagittaria platyphylla and S. calycina were approved as target species for biological control by the Invasive Plants and Animals Committee on 26 November 2015.

We have now released a final report, which:

  • estimates off-target risks and potential consequences of the release
  • evaluates the risk to be Negligible, which achieves Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP)
  • recommends the release of the biological control agent Listronotus appendiculatus.

We conducted a risk analysis for the proposed release of the weevil Listronotus appendiculatus into Australia. The purpose of this release is to control the aquatic weeds Sagittaria platyphylla and Sagittaria calycina.

The use of exotic biological control agents to control invertebrate pests, weeds and other organisms has been common in Australia for many years. Releasing pathogenic, herbivorous, predatory or parasitic organisms into the Australian environment can have potential “off-target” risks. This means risk to other plants or invertebrate animals not targeted by the biological control agent.

We began this risk analysis in response to an application to release Listronotus appendiculatus to control Sagittaria platyphylla and Sagittaria calycina. The application was submitted by the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR). We will not commence an assessment to release a biological control agent unless the target pest species has been approved by an appropriate government body. Both Sagittaria platyphylla and S. calycina were approved as target species for biological control by the Invasive Plants and Animals Committee on 26 November 2015.

We have now released a final report, which:

  • estimates off-target risks and potential consequences of the release
  • evaluates the risk to be Negligible, which achieves Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP)
  • recommends the release of the biological control agent Listronotus appendiculatus.