Aconophora compressa (aconophora) is found from Miriam Vale south to South West Rocks in mid coast New South Wales. Numbers indicate that the insect is permanently established in these areas. The insect has also been reported to be widespread on the Atherton Tableland and around Mt Fox, near Ingham. Aconophora has also been found around the northern beaches of Sydney.

Aconophora is susceptible to high temperatures and, once temperatures exceed 37ºC for a few days, populations are likely to diminish preventing their establishment in hotter inland districts.

Previously, aconophora populations have existed in New South Wales at Iluka, Grafton, Terrigal and Sydney's northern beaches. These populations are reported to have died out.

In Queensland, aconophora prefers open, cool and dry conditions. In New South Wales, it prefers semi-shaded areas. As it is susceptible to high temperatures, the insect is unlikely to establish in hotter inland districts.

Research by Biosecurity Queensland shows that the following species have supported aconophora populations:

• lantana
• fiddlewood.

Aconophora will feed and may lay eggs on the following plants, but they are unlikely to support continuing populations:

• Duranta species (including Geisha Girl and Sheena's Gold)
• Eremophila species
• jacaranda
• Clerodendrum ugandense (Blue Butterfly)
• Myoporum species
• Pandorea species
• grey mangrove, river mangrove
• groundsel bush.

There have previously been reports of aconophora on the following species; however, there is no evidence that the insect feeds on or otherwise damages these plants:

• grevillea
• ixora
• hibiscus
• jasmine
• gardenia.

Given the extent of the lantana problem in Australia, aconophora will assist in its control rather than kill it outright. The insect does not attack the purple or white-flowered Lantana montevidensis.

Aconophora is damaging lantana in rural Queensland and some Brisbane suburbs.

From all field investigations and laboratory trials there has been no evidence that the insect has killed trees.

Field inspections have shown that previously affected plants, including fiddlewood trees, produce normal regrowth.

A range of systemic and contact insecticides with general registration for use on sap-sucking bugs can be used on small shrubs and plants affected by aconophora. These insecticides include:

• Amgrow Chemspray Insect Control Garden Insect Spray
• Baythroid Garden Insect Spray
• Confidor Garden insecticide
• Confidor Plant insecticide
• Confidor Ready to Use insecticide
• Defender Bug-B-Gon
• Folimat 50 Garden insecticide
• Folimat Garden insecticide
• Lebaycid insecticide spray
• Yates Fruit Fly & Insect Killer
• Yates Garden Spray Insecticide Fungicide. (Registered in New South Wales for control of bugs in ornamental plants but not registered for use in Queensland.)

For those unwilling to use these insecticides, pyrethrum-based sprays or a mix of equal parts of household detergent and vegetable oil (10 mL per 1 L of water) appear to be effective as knockdown sprays.

It is recommended that gardeners wait for evidence of actual damage (e.g. wilting of branch tips) before spraying, as the insects may not be feeding on the plants.

When treating small shrubs and plants, seek advice from retail garden centres and follow the manufacturer's label instructions.

Some treatments may appear to be ineffective but, depending on the size and source of the infestation, it is likely that reinfestation has occurred. In this case, continuing treatment based on manufacturer's instructions is recommended.

Biosecurity Queensland advises against the use of household insecticides and surface sprays.

Scientists from Biosecurity Queensland and the Queensland Forestry Research Institute have successfully researched an effective insecticide treatment for aconophora on large trees.

Biosecurity Queensland has a permit (PER8500) that allows the minor use of an insecticide to specifically treat aconophora on trees. Anyone undertaking treatment should be aware of the permit conditions.

The permit allows for Confidor 200 SC, Confidor Concentrate Insecticides, and other registered products containing 200 g/L imidacloprid, to be used for soil injection and foliar spray applications.

Tree surgeons and aborists should read the research report, 'Insecticide control of Aconophora compressa', before recommending treatment as a soil drench or foliar spray.

The use of insecticides requires legal approval or registration of the product and its application from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

No. As there is no neem product registered as an insecticide in Australia, Biosecurity Queensland cannot legally recommend its use. Without registration there can be no claims made regarding the potential success of this product on labels or information brochures.

Registration of products with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority should be undertaken by the promoters, importers, manufacturers or distributors who will benefit from this registration.

The best long-term option for managing aconophora could be to remove any fiddlewoods and replace them with suitable non-invasive trees. The decision to remove large trees should be made in consultation with a qualified tree surgeon or arborist.

There is no legal implication with transporting aconophora, but it is recommended that normal care, such as covering the load, be taken to avoid dropping tree loppings, shrub cuttings or plants.

It is unlikely that aconophora will survive when passed through a chipper or garden shredder. Contamination is unlikely to occur and should not affect the running of this type of equipment. Normal cleaning and maintenance regimes should be undertaken.

Removal, lopping or treatment of trees and garden shrubs is at the resident's expense.

Aconophora exudes a sugary solution called honeydew in which a black sooty mould may grow. The mould is harmless, but it can mark or blemish surfaces.

Cars should not be parked under affected trees. Any cars that do become marked should be cleaned as soon as possible.

Plants affected by the honeydew or sooty mould should be cleaned if necessary, but this blemish should diminish over time.

Any affected clothing can be cleaned using normal household detergents.

Scientists from Biosecurity Queensland and the Queensland Forestry Research Institute have undertaken large-scale field trials to find an effective treatment for aconophora on large trees.

The treatments investigated direct injection of insecticide into the trunk and soil by qualified arborists. This research is completed. Biosecurity Queensland obtained the registration of this insecticide with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

Biosecurity Queensland, in association with other state agencies, has completed laboratory trials and field trials at a number of locations in South East Queensland.

Biosecurity Queensland provides written information and updates to the public, retail nurseries and arborists from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast, greater Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Atherton Tableland.

Aconophora compressa was first released for the control of lantana in 1995.

The last release of aconophora in Queensland occurred on 15 November 2001 at Helidon.

Aconophora compressa was introduced to control lantana, a Weed of National Significance.

Lantana infestations have a significant impact throughout Australia and can affect biodiversity, livestock health, recreational use and production costs for agricultural and forestry industries.

Total costs incurred by Australian primary industries in pastoral losses are estimated to be in excess of $104 million a year.

The release of aconophora met all national protocols of the the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service and the former Department of Environment and Heritage.

Screening of aconophora as a biocontrol agent took place from 1990 to 1994. Sixty-two plant species were tested.

Aconophora was approved for release on the basis that the insect would not complete its life cycle on any plants tested, other than lantana and, to a lesser extent, duranta. The release of the insect was unanimously supported by 22 representatives of state and federal agencies including the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.

These agencies approve the selection of plants against which any proposed biocontrol agent must be tested and may request the inclusion of additional plant species. The results of all testing are then evaluated by the 22 representatives of the agencies before release is approved. In the case of aconophora, no agency, including those from other states where fiddlewoods are also grown, requested that fiddlewood be tested.

Biosecurity Queensland has had many calls from Queensland rural landholders wishing to be supplied with the insect.

Biosecurity Queensland concluded its mass rearing and release program in November 2001.

Aconophora will spread to lantana in all suitable environments. The further spread of the insect by landholders to control lantana on their properties is not restricted. Aconophora is unlikely to establish colonies or thrive in very hot conditions.