An insect that can help with
Cats Claw Creeper Control.
Jewel Beetle (Hylaeogena jureceki)
Will the Jewel Beetle eradicate Cats Claw
Creeper?
No. The Jewel Beetle co-exists with Cats Claw
Creeper. Adult Jewel Beetles chew holes in the
leaves of Cats Claw Creeper, while the larvae
mine within the leaves. When there is a large
Beetle population this can reduce the vigour of
the Cats Claw Creeper but is unlikely to kill it.
In Landcare’s insect breeding facility dense
populations of both the Jewel Beetle and the
Tingid Bug have totally desiccated host plants.
However, these conditions are difficult to recreate
in the field.
Jewel Beetles and Tingid Bugs both affect the
leaves. They do not affect the underground
tubers. Even when the vine is severely defoliated
the tubers can shoot again.
Are the Beetles going to affect other
plants?
Prior to the Beetle’s release Biosecurity
Queensland conducted a wide range of tests with
other plants and animal species in accordance
with strict guidelines. Only after many years of
testing did the Australian Government approve
their release to assist in control of Cats Claw
Creeper. The insects have been in the field for
several years and there have been no reports of
problems.
Would my property be a suitable site to
release Jewel Beetles?
If you have a large area of Cats Claw Creeper
covering the ground, smothering the understory
vegetation and climbing the trees, to the point that
eradication is daunting or impossible, then Jewel
Beetles are an option.
If you have a scattered or small infestation,
controlling the Cats Claw Creeper by physical
removal
and
herbicide
application
is
recommended. If there are vines climbing the
trees these should be cut and herbicide applied.
This will save the trees from being smothered and
stop seed spread. This is necessary whether or
not you are releasing insects.
Is there a way to eradicate Cats Claw
Creeper?
How may I get the insects?
With small or isolated infestations registered
herbicides applied regularly for several years can
kill Cats Claw Creeper. The underground tubers
in particular may remain viable and reshoot for
several years. Seeds may also arrive from
elsewhere. So it is necessary to monitor 2 or 3
times a year for regrowth and to reapply
chemicals. With large continuous infestations,
chemical control at this level is expensive, time
consuming and difficult.
The Beetle’s availability varies with its life cycle
and the seasons, and they need to be released
as soon as possible after packing. If you leave
your contact details together with details of your
order Landcare will contact you when the order
can be filled. A date and time for collection will be
agreed on so that the insects can be packed for
collection within a day of their release. Insects
cannot be held if you fail to collect them at the
agreed time.
What is the value of the insects?
How much do the insects cost?
Cats Claw Creeper is a widespread and severe
problem. It is no longer possible to eradicate the
weed everywhere by physical and chemical
control. Biological controls form part of an
integrated approach to pest management and are
a cost effective way to reduce the vigour of
widespread infestations. In the long term it is
hoped that additional biocontrol organisms can be
found that will damage the tubers.
It costs Gympie & District Landcare about $4.00
to raise a host plant and infest it with insects. This
is similar to the cost of raising a similarly sized
plant in the nursery. To maintain the operation
Gympie Landcare needs to recover these costs.
Costs have sometimes been subsidised by the
Gympie Regional Council or State government
agencies. If these are not available, full costs
need to be recovered. Your contribution and
donation towards rearing costs is appreciated.
How do I release the Jewel Beetles?
Jewel Beetles are distributed in small containers
holding about 50 adults or larval cysts. Keep the
insects in these containers for the shortest time
possible and avoid extreme hot or cold
conditions: i.e. don’t leave them in a car in full
summer sun while you stop at the shops.
The Beetles need to be released as soon as
possible onto healthy vigorously growing Cats
Claw Creeper. Choose a site that provides



sunny dappled light locations;
climbing runners; and
sheltered, warm conditions.
Do not release the Beetle onto damaged or
unhealthy vines or vines undergoing chemical
treatment.
Further, the Jewel Beetles are often dormant over
winter. If winter is extended or particularly severe
the Beetle population may not always recover.
Not all releases will be effective, and signs of
impact should not be expected for several
months. It can take several years for an insect
colony to establish and flourish.
Binoculars can be helpful to scan for Beetle
damage above the ground.
If I can’t see signs of insects?
The adult Jewel Beetles are highly mobile and
capable of flying 5 to 10 metres at a time. So
scan the infestation for signs of their activity not
just the release site.
If a release is unsuccessful site conditions,
microclimate and predators are common
considerations.
Landcare
has
observed
carnivorous spiders, lizards and small birds
predating on Jewel Beetles in the insect raising
facility or in the field. Further the insects are
dormant over winter. If winter is particularly long
or severe the insects may not recover.
Try a release in a slightly different location.
Landcare recommends a minimum release of 100
insects at a site. Several separate releases over a
few weeks apart can be more effective than a
single release.
Mark the release site so you can easily return for
a follow up release or to monitor that the Beetles
have established.
How do I know if the release has been
successful?
Adult damage to leaves
Landcare considers a release successful if
evidence of eggs, juveniles or adults are present
12 months after the release. This means the
Beetles have survived winter AND a dry season
AND are breeding.
You can identify the presence of Jewel Beetles by
1. The distinctive feeding damage of the adult
along the leaf margins;
2. The presence of pupal disks in leaves (often
the larger leaves lower on the plant)
3. The leaf mining trails left by the larvae.
Larval damage to leaves