Why Cat’s Claw creeper is a problem

Cat’s Claw creeper is an aggressive vine that smothers native vegetation such as tall canopy trees leading to widespread tree death, leaving riverbanks exposed and unstable.

Without the deep root systems of native trees to stabilise them, riverbanks are more vulnerable to collapse, especially during flood events.

The resulting erosion increases sediment and nutrient runoff, degrading downstream water quality. Alongside other invasive species like Madeira Vine (Anredera cordifolia) and Chinese Elm (Celtis sinensis), Cat’s Claw threatens not only local biodiversity but also the region’s drinking water supply.

Cat's Claw creeper, an invasive species introduced into Australia is causing major impacts to the growth of native vegetation in SEQ.

Originally from South America, jewel beetles were first introduced to Australia by Biosecurity Queensland in 2012 as a targeted biological control agent following extensive testing. They have been proven to feed exclusively on Cat’s Claw, making them a safe and effective method for supporting the management of this invasive and damaging vine weed.

Healthy Land & Water Project Manager, Leonard Ainsworth, prepares to release a jar of jewel beetles into the environment at Moogerah in the Scenic Rim.

A strategic response to a widespread threat

Since 2018, Healthy Land & Water and Seqwater have worked together to deliver a targeted weed control program across approximately 140 kilometres of priority riparian zones.
These areas which are located near Seqwater’s water offtake points are crucial to the health of SEQ’s catchments and drinking water supplies.

This project is part of Seqwater’s Source Protection Program, which is focused on protecting SEQ’s raw water catchments including rivers, creeks and dams, and the public and privately-owned land surrounding these natural assets. Protecting the quality of our region’s waterways helps to ensure Seqwater’s water treatment plants can efficiently and cost-effectively turn raw water into clean, safe, treated drinking water for the community.

Source protection also helps to protect important local native flora and fauna and the ecosystems that support them.

Enter the jewel beetle: nature’s tiny bio-controller

One of the program’s most innovative tools is the use of jewel beetles, specifically bred to combat Cat’s Claw creeper. These beetles are known as bio-control agents!

The tiny but mighty jewel beetle.

The biocontrol agents are approved for release within Australia and are sourced from breeding facilities across SEQ.

The beetles are released at strategic locations where they quickly get to work:

• Adult beetles feed on the vine’s growing tips.
• Larvae eat the leaves from the inside after hatching.

As beetle populations grow, they begin to decimate the vine, allowing native plants to recover and re-establish along riverbanks.

Unlike manual control methods, which are often limited to areas near the water’s edge, these beetles offer greater reach, spreading naturally through the landscape to target infestations farther from the watercourse.

 A jewel beetle pupae disc beginning to attack the vine.

Monitoring success

The work doesn’t stop after the beetles are released. The project team continues to monitor each site, returning every 3 to 6 months to track the beetles’ progress and assess their impact on the Cat’s Claw creeper.

Collecting data helps to monitor the impact the jewel beetles are having on the environment.

This program is not just about fighting weeds – it’s also about preserving SEQ’s waterways, supporting native ecosystems, and ensuring our communities continue to receive clean, safe drinking water for generations to come.

This program is made possible through funding from Seqwater and co-investment from City of Moreton Bay Council who share the objective of preventing sediment from entering Moreton Bay and to preserve water quality in water catchments that supply drinking water.