The joys, amazement, and disbelief of dealing with cacti species. New findings and biocontrol | Damien Wray
Tracks
| Thursday, August 7, 2025 |
| 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM |
| Parthenium Theatre |
Speaker
Mr Damian Wray
Biosecurity & Weeds Officer
Bogan Shire Council
The joys, amazement, and disbelief of dealing with cacti species. New findings and biocontrol | Damien Wray
Abstract
The joys, amazement, and disbelief of dealing with cacti species in the west during the inspection process.
New findings and Biocontrol
Damian Wray
Biosecurity & Weeds Officer, Bogan Shire Council, Nyngan, NSW 2825, Australia
damian.wray@bogan.nsw.gov.au
Summary
It’s amazing what can be located whilst conducting inspections, be that property inspections or inspections of High-risk pathways (HRP). Sometimes its not even through the normal biosecurity pathways that the amazement or disbelief comes from. Yes we all have informants be that fellow workers, road crew, rangers, public, etc.
The use of biocontrol on Riverina Pear (Opuntia elata) around the village of Hermidale also came with the surprise discovery of a cactus that I had never come across or could find in any of my resources available to me in the field or the office. What does one do, off to the herbarium to find a ‘new’ cacti that has been confirmed in NSW. I present grizzly bear cactus (Opuntia polyacantha var erinacea).
Findings can lead to disbelief that the public can think its lovely to be growing large specimens in pots, ‘oh it can’t spread’ especially in the case of assisting in ranger duties and finding snake cactus (Cylidropuntia spinisior).
From talks with fellow Biosecurity officers, I can utilise and have utilised biocontrol for some of the cacti species in the Bogan, the joy of finding out there is a biocontrol for pencil cactus (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis) will assist in the control of it in the future.
Keywords: Tiger pear, delineation survey, spraying, communication
New findings and Biocontrol
Damian Wray
Biosecurity & Weeds Officer, Bogan Shire Council, Nyngan, NSW 2825, Australia
damian.wray@bogan.nsw.gov.au
Summary
It’s amazing what can be located whilst conducting inspections, be that property inspections or inspections of High-risk pathways (HRP). Sometimes its not even through the normal biosecurity pathways that the amazement or disbelief comes from. Yes we all have informants be that fellow workers, road crew, rangers, public, etc.
The use of biocontrol on Riverina Pear (Opuntia elata) around the village of Hermidale also came with the surprise discovery of a cactus that I had never come across or could find in any of my resources available to me in the field or the office. What does one do, off to the herbarium to find a ‘new’ cacti that has been confirmed in NSW. I present grizzly bear cactus (Opuntia polyacantha var erinacea).
Findings can lead to disbelief that the public can think its lovely to be growing large specimens in pots, ‘oh it can’t spread’ especially in the case of assisting in ranger duties and finding snake cactus (Cylidropuntia spinisior).
From talks with fellow Biosecurity officers, I can utilise and have utilised biocontrol for some of the cacti species in the Bogan, the joy of finding out there is a biocontrol for pencil cactus (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis) will assist in the control of it in the future.
Keywords: Tiger pear, delineation survey, spraying, communication
Biography
Biosecurity and Weeds Officer (BWO) for four years this June, still learning. Chair Central West Regional Weeds Committee, BHSc Dip Bot Med, Gypsy of the west, previously construction, hospitality and crane operator. Father, grandfather.
