In December 2022, Landcare Tasmania in partnership with NRM South released a biocontrol agent in Kellevie and Gordon to help combat gorse.

Image: Landcare Tasmania's Project Manager Anna Minchin, collecting the soft-shoot moth on gorse 

This release is part of NRM South's "Black or Brookers Gum Forests on Farms" Program. 

The Black and Brookers Gum forests are threatened vegetation communities which provide important ecological functions. Gorse is a substantial threat to these communities, as it can dominate the entire understory of the forest, thereby changing the ecosystem.

When used together, the soft shoot gorse moth and the naturally occurring fungus show potential to be devastating for gorse. 

Image: Soft-shoot moth webbing on gorse 

Landcare Tasmania's role in this program is the collection and release of the biocontrol, engaging with local landholders, monitoring the impacts of the release and doing follow up work at the end of 2023. 

For more information read about our Gorse Biocontrol Project:

Landcare Tasmania's Gorse Biocontrol Project - 2021 release

Landcare Tasmania's Biocontrol Info Sessions - 2022 

Landcare Tasmania's Gorse Biocontrol Project has been made possible thanks to donations from the JM Roberts Charitable Trust.  This project forms part of our Landscape Restoration Program which brings Landcarers together for a greater long-term benefit at a landscape scale.