GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — After concern was expressed over social media this week that Satansbos seems to be taking over in the Camdeboo National Park, the Advertiser contacted Park Manager, Nick de Goede, to find out how they were handling the threat of this alien invasive species.
According to Nick de Goede, the fight against Satansbos is an ongoing battle, but that the recent release of an addition to the Camdeboo National Park’s insect family is definitely showing results.
This project - which is being jointly run by Rhodes University in Grahamstown, the Camdeboo National Park and its Biodiversity Social Projects (BSP) - aspires to aid in the fight against alien invasive species which is threatening the biodiversity of the Park.
Solanum Elaeagnifolium, commonly known as Satansbos or Silverleaf Nightshade, is a perennial plant with extensive root systems which can extend to three metres deep and two metres horizontally, with an aerial growth of about 60cm. This alien species commonly occurs on disturbed farmlands or along road verges. Herbicides have been found to be ineffective in controlling it, as has any other form of biological control to-date.
Rhodes University released 9 000 Leptinotarsa texana, or Satansbos leaf beetle, in the game viewing area and around the Gannaleegte gate in December of 2015 with another release planned for the near future. This biocontrol agent is indigenous to North America, is dome shaped and is about eight millimetres in diametre. These little insects are pale yellow with black stripes along the front wings.
Signs of its success in the park are already visible - with plants along the banks of the Sundays River losing leaves and starting to die.
The monitoring of the Satansbos leaf beetles is of high importance as it will have a direct impact on the control of the Satansbos, leading to adaptive management and further implementation – not only in national parks but possibly to their neighbours too.
The Camdeboo National Park will also soon start the construction of a tunnel - which is scheduled to be completed by month's end - in Gannaleegte, where the Park will breed its own beetles, to be released by them in areas where it is necessitated.
With new initiatives and strategies like these, BSP will continue to work towards saving and protecting the Camdeboo National Park's biodiversity, even if this comes in the shape of small, beetle-sized packages.
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