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Aim

Record observations of blackberry biocontrol agents and help implement blackberry biocontrol.

Description

Rubus fruticosus agg.
Blackberry

Blackberry is a highly invasive Weed of National Significance, that adversely impacts biodiversity and agriculture in Australia.

One biocontrol agent has been introduced, the blackberry rust fungus Phragmidium violaceum. Blackberry rust is well established in Australia, but further research is needed on its distribution and impact.

Get Involved!

Anyone can use this web site to:

  • Record field sightings of blackberry biocontrol agents,

  • View maps or download data of biocontrol agent locations,

  • Use location data to study blackberry biocontrol, or to find agents
    for release in your local area,

  • Access information on blackberry biocontrol, including what to look
    for, and how to collect, transport and release biocontrol agents,

  • Promote and better understand biocontrol of blackberry in Australia.

If you would like to help, please register on the BioControl Hub today.

Equipment

Mobile device or a camera, GPS, pen and notebook. Protective eyewear, long sleeves and long trousers, a hat and leather gloves are essential. Good quality boots and gaiters will quickly become your favourite bits of kit. Equipment requirements for collecting, transporting, and releasing agents can be found on the Resources page.

Tasks

1. Register on the BioControl Hub web-site. 2. Keep an eye out for evidence of agents occurring on blackberry in your local area. If you see rust symptoms, take a photo and record and upload the details. If you have a mobile device, simply upload your observation using the Biocontrol Hub app (click on the android or iTunes link below). 3. If biocontrol agents are absent, browse the BioControl Hub and blackberry project page to learn how to implement biocontrol in your local area.

Free of Cost Mobile Difficulty: Medium

Mobile Apps

Contact name

Greg Lefoe

Contact Email

Greg.Lefoe@ecodev.vic.gov.au

Get Started

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Lat: Lng:
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Program name

Weed Biological Control

Image credits

Logo: State of Victoria;  Feature image: CSIRO, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/, image cropped

News & Events

Blackberry target of national biocontrol program

Blackberry is one of six high priority weeds targeted in a $1.89 million weed biological control program.

View More

Project stories

Blackberry: People. Science. Persistance. Together.

Landholders from the Mitta to Murray Blackberry Action Group are working in partnership with Agriculture Victoria to find new biocontrol options for blackberry.

View More
Found Resources

No Resources

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Blackberry rust
Status: Active, In progress
Survey Ongoing
Start Date:
Blackberry rust Phragmidium violaceum is a pathogenic fungus which obtains nutrients from living plant cells. It infects the leaves of blackberry and occasionally the green stems, petioles, the green tissues of flowers and unripe fruits. Infection is characterised by purple-brown patches, 2 - 3 mm in diameter on the upper surface of leaves and corresponding orange rust pustules in the lower surfaces of leaves. The diversion of nutrients reduces plant development and reproduction. the fungus also destroys leaf tissue by producing fruiting bodies. Use this form to record occurrences of Blackberry rust Phragmidium violaceum
Download form template
Number of data recording events in the dataset (count of activity records)
17
Number of species records in the dataset (count of species records)
24
Last Updated:
06 June, 2018
Public access to data
True
Survey attribution/citation:
Australian BioControl Hub. (2025) Blackberry rust dataset download. Retrieved from https://biocollect.ala.org.au/bioActivity/projectRecords/ef09ff0d-2af2-4c58-bee7-3198d4f6db4f. 20/04/2025, 00:41.
Survey/sampling method used:
Opportunistic observation and reporting
Data Sharing License:
  Creative Commons Zero   Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial (International)   Creative Commons Attribution (International)   Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial (Australia)
Legal Custodian of the Dataset:
Australian BioControl Hub
Is the data management policy documented?
No
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