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Click here to go back Details of this species in Queensland Status: Alien Invasiveness: Invasive Occurrence: Established and expanding Source: WA, Department of Agriculture Arrival Date: Late 1800's Introduction: Intentional Species Notes for this Location: Imported into Queensland as an ornamental in the 1860’s this plant was also touted as a source of rubber during the 1940’s. It is known to densely infest 700,000 hectares in tropical and subtropical Queensland while it is has been found across 34 million hectares (Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand). The rubber vine "poses a significant threat to northern Australian savanna landscapes. It has already invaded a large portion of northern and eastern Queensland and bio-climatic analysis suggests that it is capable of growing across northern sections of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The species poses a major problem for pastoral industries and presents a considerable threat to conservation values. It is particularly prevalent in riparian zones." (Grice, et al.) Management Notes for this Location: Biological control: Two agents are successfully established, and their impact depends on abundance. Both agents cause abnormal defoliation, creating an ‘energy sink’, which appears to reduce seed production. These agents do not kill established rubber vine plants. Diseases: Rubber vine rust Maravalia cryptostegiae is established over a wide area. Yellow spores are formed under the leaves and are spread mainly by the wind. It is most active over summer, abundance being directly related to leaf wetness which is dependant on rainfall and dew. Over summer a generation is completed every seven days. Rust activity is reduced over the dry season. Continued heavy infection causes defoliation, appears to reduce seed production, can kill small seedlings and causes dieback of the whip-like stems. Established plants are not killed. Insects: Also established is the moth Euclasta whalleyi, whose larvae are leaf feeders. Observation indicates the moth prefers stressed plants, either from limited soil moisture or high levels of rust infection. The moth’s period of activity is the dry season. Defoliation reduces the smothering effect on other vegetation and causes an increase in leaf litter and promotes increased grass growth amongst rubber vine, increasing fuel loads required for fire management. Decreased flower and pod production should reduce the ability of rubber vine to spread. Biological control is also important because it impacts on other control methods. Chemical control: The following are methods of chemical control; Foliar spraying with ground equipment, Basal bark spraying; Cut stump method; Root application and aerial application. Fire: Rubber vine infestations can be controlled by burning. It is recommended that two successive annual burns be employed. Location Notes: Large infestations of rubber vine occur along the river systems of southern Cape York, the Queensland Gulf country, Burdekin River, around Rockhampton and the Burnett River. It has potential to infest large areas of Northern Territory and Western Australia. Impacts: Economic/Livelihoods: Estimated cost in terms of lost beef production in north Queensland due to loss of pasture in excess of $18 million per year. Increased difficulty and expense of mustering stock. Increased fencing costs to keep cattle out of dense rubber vine areas. Impedes access of stock to water. Decreased property values. Potential to seriously threaten the World Heritage areas of northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. The Undarra Volcanic National Park was affected when rubber vine covered the entrance of the volcanic lava tubes, thus decreasing the appeal of this attraction. Ecosystem change: The environmental costs of rubber vine infestations are immense, with the potential to destroy many unique ecosystems such as gallery forest and dry rainforest. Rubber vine impacts on: four vulnerable animal species, thirteen threatened plant communities, one Ramsar site, thirteen important wetlands and a total of forty eight reserve areas in Queensland. Rubber vine spread has the potential to destroy all deciduous vine thickets in north Queensland, leading to the loss of unique ecosystems. The Big Mitchell Creek gallery forest infestation led to the disappearance of the rufous owl Ninox rufa, and bower’s shrike thrush Colluricincla boeri. Habitat alteration: Rubber vine is an extremely aggressive invader of woodlands. It is a vigorous climber which will smother and kill plants and shade out the ground layer. There is an increase in soil erosion due to loss of grasses and other ground cover species. Other: Due to the choking of river and stream edges, rubber vine infestations can cause changes to waterflow and water courses Physical disturbance: The heaviest infestations of rubber vine occur along rivers and creeks, completely choking the river edge. In some areas it forms impenetrable barriers up to 400m wide on each side of riverbanks. The species will then aggressively and invade open woodlands and pastures. Last Modified: 20/04/2004 3:19:19 p.m.