Paterson’s Curse (Echium plantagineum)
Paterson’s Curse infests approximately 33 million hectares across Australia. It is toxic to grazing animals as it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
The Australian wool and meat industries funded the biological control of Paterson’s curse program from 1988 until 2005. The project released 4 species of insect to attack Paterson’s Curse. These are:
- The crown weevil (Mogulones larvatus)
- The root weevil (Mogulones geographicus)
- The flea beetle (Longitarsus echii)
- The pollen beetle (Meligethes planiusculus)
Approximately 3,000 releases of these insects have been made in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. A survey of graziers affected by Paterson’s curse conducted in 2005 reported a 24% decrease in Paterson’s curse due to biological control and a 12% increase in stock production.
Case Studies
AWI and Meat & Livestock Australia are currently developing best management practice guidelines and case studies on managing Paterson’s curse.
Return to Pasture weeds.