By MELISSA MEEHAN
THEY might be tiny, but these little bugs pack a huge punch. Elm leaf beetles have been found across the Yarra Ranges, including towns like The Patch and Healesville.
Concerned about the large number of the beetles seen around their house and the local hall, The Patch residents contacted the Mail last week.
“Last year, we noticed all these little bugs inside and wondered what they were, so we did some Googling and found them to be these Elm leaf beetles,” he said.
“It was an infestation of the area, and we’ve noticed that they are back again.”
Yellow and dark brown adult beetles are evident from mid-October and create a series of small holes in leaves during October and November. Beetle larvae, also yellow and dark brown, then destroy all but the veins of leaves, creating a ‘skeleton’ effect.
The larvae descend the trunk during December and are visible on the ground below the tree.
Yarra Ranges Council’s director of Environment and Engineering Mark Varmalis said that, while the beetles did not kill trees immediately, they could disfigure and debilitate the tree through consuming leaves.
“There may be up to three life-cycles of the beetle in a single season, depending on weather conditions,” Mr Varmalis said.
He said that, with significant elm tree stands in Healesville, Warburton and Lilydale, the council had formed a control program for infested trees, but only for significant public areas.
“Council does not have sufficient resources to treat every elm tree on public land, so treatment is limited to those trees of landscape or historic significance,” Mr Varmalis said.
The council uses micro-stem injections to treat infested trees, which interrupt the beetle’s lifecycle and can be effective for up to three years.
The resident said that he had already noticed a number of trees in The Patch showing signs of elm leaf beetles, with many leaves looking like skeletons.
He called for the Yarra Ranges Council to put in place measures similar to that of the Mornington Peninsula, where large signage informs drivers they were entering an area where the beetles were present.
“What many people don’t know is that these beetles can hitch hike a ride on cars from other areas,” he said.
“It’s already hit The Patch, and Healesville – so other towns might be affected too.”
Mr Varmalis said anyone wanting to treat elm leaf beetles on their own land can contact Friends of the Elms on 0409 870 860 or by emailing foteinc@hotmail.com.
