Giant Pine Scale found in Adelaide

Giant pine scale (GPS, Marchalina hellenica) is an insect that sucks the sap of pine trees, Image CoinUp/stock.adobe.com

Adelaide Residents are asked to be vigilant following recent detections of Giant Pine Scale (Marchalina hellenica).

Following ongoing surveillance and monitoring, detections have been made at:

* Highbury Aquaduct Reserve, managed by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW)
* Hope Valley Reservoir Reserve, managed by SA Water, and
* Silverlake Reserve, managed by City of Tea Tree Gully.

The South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is working closely with DEW, the City of Tea Tree Gully and the forest industry to manage the outbreak.

Adelaide Residents are asked to be vigilant, and to report any observations of giant pine scale to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

PIRSA’s statement on its website reads:

‘Unfortunately, managing the outbreak requires tree removal. We understand that removing mature trees may be considered a significant loss, however the removal of affected trees remains the best-known option for eliminating this destructive pest and preventing its spread.

‘Once the tree removals are complete, a restricted area will remain in place for up to 3 months to ensure that there are no live giant pine scale remaining onsite. Tree removal sites will be remediated including revegetating with local native species of trees, shrubs, and grasses when seasonal conditions are best for planting.

‘Visitors to Highbury Aqueduct Reserve are advised not to enter the restricted area or remove any wood material from the reserve.’

Read more and stay up to date at pir.sa.gov.au.

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