July 8, 2019
By: Michael Fox
Thanks to Fflur Collier, BCC Wildlife Conservation Partnerships I have been able to make valuable additions to our Flora and Fauna of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve research.
Accurate identification of fungi species can be extremely difficult so tentative identification is used in some cases. Please share any insights or corrections.
May 22, 2019
Clairvaux Bushcare Team in action
By: Michael Fox
I was very happy to welcome our Clairvaux Bushcare Team back to declare war on Guinea Grass regrowth. The team first removed the seed heads before removing and piling the grass in swales to compost and reduce water runoff.
Guinea Grass Megathyrsus maximus is a fast growing environmental that crowds out local native species and creates a significant bushfire risk. Originally from Africa Guinea Grass has been bought to Australia as a pasture grass and has local herbivore species to control its growth so dead grass accumulates as a loose fast burning fuel for bushfire.
Fruit Piercing Moth caterpillar
The team found a number of “bugs” including a new moth species to add to our Flora and Fauna of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve. The Fruit Piercing Moth Eudocima fullonia is curious creature. The caterpillars feed on local Tape Vine Stephania japonica while the adult moths feed by piercing a wide variety of fruit species, often causing the fruit to rot.
Purplewinged Mantid
The students were not fazed by anything including finding this Purplewinged Mantid Tenodera australasiae climbing over his shirt.
Golden Orb Weaver spider
Or this beautiful Golden Orb Weaver Nephila plumipes spider or the tiger hiding in the long grass.
Black Woodland Cockroach
Or even this Black Woodland Cockroach Platyzosteria melanaria
Australian native cockroaches do not invade our houses or spread disease preferring to stay in the bush feeding in trees on pollen, bark and leaf material. Some species in the genus Panesthia have adapted to eating decomposing wood, and have similar micro-organisms in their gut as those found in termites (Order Isoptera).
What an amazing team of Bushcarers!
A huge area of Guinea Grass regrowth de-seeded and piled for composting on-site. Eradication will take another couple of years as we break the cycle of seeds.
The support of extraordinary and generous partners like the Clairvaux Bushcare Team allow us to restore large areas of our Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve habitat.
May 12, 2019
By: Michael Fox
The Australia China Youth Association (ACYA) Discovery Team joined me again on Saturday morning to take on a forest of Guinea Grass Megathyrsus maximus var. maximus.
Guinea Grass, a 2m pasture grass introduced from Africa, is now a common and widespread weed of crops, orchards, vineyards, gardens and bushland. Large fast growing non-native grasses like Guinea Grass increase fuel loads and bushfire frequency in urban bushland.
The key to eradicating Guinea Grass is removing the seeds before they are spread by being eaten birds or stuck to the fur of other animals.
The ACYA Discovery Team tackled the forest with a vengeance, first removing and binning seed heads before removing the grass and putting into piles to compost onsite. It seemed every time I looked around there would be someone with a huge bouquets of Guinea Grass seed heads that would impress a florist. It will take another couple of seasons to get the Guinea Grass under control but each time we nail the seeds there is less work to do next season.
Acacia Shield Bug nymph
The Discovery Team title comes from the amazing diversity of wildlife found whenever we work together.
Two species found on Saturday are new to our database: Flora and Fauna of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve: Insects, Beetles, Bugs and Slugs.
Acacia Shield Bug nymph Alcaeus varicornis
Green Strip Leaf Beetle
Green Strip Leaf Beetle Calomela pallida
The Discovery Team find so many new species that sometimes I can’t find an id immediately: like this pretty moth caterpillar.
The Team is not scared of anything. Reanna was so happy to find this discarded snake skin. Perhaps she may have been a little slower to collect the skin before it was discarded.
Variable Ladybird Beetle larvae
The Team are interested in everything, so when I found the larvae of a Variable Ladybird Beetle Coelophora inaequalis they were fascinated to learn that Ladybirds come from a larvae which also eats Aphids and other garden pests.
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The well named Lance-leaved Rattlepod Crotalaria lanceolata (weed) also appealed when I demonstrated the potential as a musical instrument.
Thanks again to the ACYA Discovery Team. Looking forward to welcoming you back next semester to help us discover more wildlife species living in Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve.
April 28, 2019
By: Michael Fox
Clearing Guinea Grass Weeds busted
Red Natal Grass Busted
I welcomed the Australia China Youth Association (ACYA) team yesterday to weed the 2015/16 National Tree Day planting.
The Small Bird Planting is thriving, however, the Guinea Grass Megathyrsus maximus and Red Natal Grass Melinis repens that covered the site before restoration are still regrowing from seed. By clearing the weed grasses before a new crop of seed sets we will break the cycle of infestation.
The team got stuck right in bagging the seed heads for removal off site before they removed the grasses.
Common Crow sex brand
The ACYA team are always interested in finding native wildlife when they come to Bushcare.
The first find was a handsome male Common Crow Euploea core butterfly. I explained that some male butterflies have sex brands they use to store pheromones impress the girls.
Blue Tiger butterfly claws
Common Crow butterflies use their claws to scratch the leaves on Parsonsia vines. Butterflies taste with their feed to check they have the correct species of plant and males store alkaloids from the leaves to help with breeding.
Imperial Hairstreak butterflies
We also found lots of Imperial Hairstreak Jalmenus evagoras butterflies at the 2018 National Tree Day planting site.
We found Imperial Hairstreak chrysalis on the Brisbane Fringed Wattle Acacia fimbriata planted in July 2018. The caterpillars and chrysalis are protected by native Small Meat Ants in return for sugary extrusions.
Variable Ladybird Beetle
A number of Variable Ladybird Beetles Coelophora inaequalis were found by Wento.
It is very encouraging to find bugs visiting the replanted habitat. The more insects the more insect eating small birds will return.
Stingless Native Bee hive
To finish the morning I showed the team a Stingless Native Bee hive in an old log.
Stingless Native Bee
They had heard about our Stingless Native Bees but they were surprised to see how small they are: small than a house fly.
While these tiny bees are stingless they have very powerful jaws.
ACYA team
Thank you team. It is always a pleasure to welcome you to Bushcare, hear your stories and share my knowledge.
Help build on our success. Register for 2019 National Tree Day.
April 21, 2019
By: Michael Fox
The 2018 National Tree Day planting site is thriving and the locals are turning up for dinner. Plant Local to Feed Locals
The Crow or Donovan’s Day Moth Cruria donowani is a new addition our database of Flora and Fauna of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve.
I identified the species using: New larval food plant associations for some butterflies and diurnal moths (Lepidoptera) from the Northern Territory and Kimberley, Australia. Part II (2015) Michael F. Braby
Imperial Hairstreak female laying eggs
I also found a female Imperial Hairstreak butterfly Jalmenus evagoras laying her eggs on one of the Brisbane Fringed Wattles Acacia fimbriata planted in July.
Imperial Hairstreak chrysalis
Imperial Hairstreak chrysalis being protected by protected by “Kropotkin” ants – Small Meat Ant Iridomyrmex sp.
Joseph’s Coat Moth caterpillar
The striking Joseph’s Coat Moth caterpillars Agarista agricola were lunching on Forest Grape Clematicissus opaca.
April 14, 2019
By: Michael Fox
Autumn is a wonderful time for Bushcare. Beautiful cool days among the trees surrounded by bird song.
Jake found a Common Crow Euploea core butterfly caterpillar exploring the Coral Berry Rivina humilis weed he was removing. Common Crow caterpillars feed on a range of native and exotic plant species however Parsonsia vines are preferred. Male Common Crow butterflies scratch the leaves with their claws and collect pyrrolizidine alkaloid that are used in breeding and also provide protection: Golden Orb Weaver Spiders Nephila maculata release unharmed individuals high in alkaloids. (Orr and Kitching)
Wood eating fungi
It is great to see nature is working 24/7 to build on our Bushcare work. Larger woody weeds that are too big to pull out, like Indian Hawthorn Rhaphiolepis indica, are cut and poisoned leaving a stump. That is where nature takes over with fungi breaking down the dead timber.
April 6, 2019
ACYA Team at work
By: Michael Fox
I welcomed the hardworking ACYA team back today to continue restoration in our Fox Gully Bushcare site. I love working with these students because they are so happy and full of life.
Green Jumping Spider Mopsus mormon
The team continued to find lots of wildlife including a moth caterpillar I still need an id and spiders including this Green Jumping Spider Mopsus mormon.
Basket Fern new growth
Pulling out bags of weeds is not the most exciting of our Bushcare work but today I was able to show the team the effectiveness of their work. Native ferns like this Basket Fern Drynaria rigidula are already returning in the areas cleared of weeds.
Rasp Fern returning
Rasp Fern Doodia media with its attractive pink new growth is an excellent replacement for weed Fishbone Fern Nephrolepis cordifolia in your garden. Also grows well in pots and hanging baskets.
Want to buy Rasp Fern or other local native visit a Community Nursery.
Report Koala sightings
Sheamus O'Connor - Young Citizen of the Year 2012
Environmental Protection Award - Brisbane's Spotless Suburbs
