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Guided walks:

Natural Control Systems (with Gall Rust)
Working with Weevils
Collaborative arrangements (with Cyanobacteria)
Early Encounters
Coming to a sticky end in a sundew
Playing tricks on insects
Part of the food chain

Natural Control Systems

Gall Rust is a natural control system that prevents Golden Wreath Wattles from taking over the entire bushland.

Many of the Golden Wreath Wattles (Acacia saligna) in Shenton Bushland are infected with Acacia Gall Rust (Uromycladium tepperianum) which is a fungus whose spores are spread by wind.

The spores of Acacia Gall Rust are produced throughout winter in the red galls on branches. Rust fungi do not kill the cells of their host as the fungus actually stimulates plant growth. Rather, it predisposes the tree to succumb to other stress factors that kill the plants within a few years. For example, severely affected plants appear to be more susceptible to drought stress. Heavily infected plants bearing several hundred galls and "witches' brooms" produce fewer phyllodes (leaf-like stems), flowers and pods. Branches, weakened by galls, often break.

Golden Wreath Wattles are a major pest in the Eastern states of Australia - especially Sydney. Gall rust is being used in Sydney to control these wattles.