Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p54
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 54/276)
Character Range: 218077–221118

outcompeting native invertebrates and damaging crops). Because of their aggressive nature and need for protein-based food sources, Argentine ants may pose a significant threat to the majority of the island's vertebrates and invertebrates. At particular risk are ground-nesting seabirds and endangered species such as the Norfolk Island green parrot, Norfolk Island robin and slender‑billed white-eye (Hoffman 2020).
Other introduced invertebrates also pose a threat to certain listed species. European honeybees (Apis mellifera) have occupied wild nest sites of the Norfolk Island green parrot (Hill 2002). The Asian paper wasp (Polistes chinensis antennalis) also occurs on Norfolk Island, although its impact on threatened species is unknown. The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is believed to have caused the extinction of an endemic cricket (Tathra sp.1) on Norfolk Island; the cricket is now found only on Phillip Island and would be at risk if the cockroach established there and was not subsequently controlled by the island's lizards and centipede (Rentz 1988). The European wasp (Vespula germanica) has invaded and been eliminated from the island at least once (in 1982; Naumann 1984) and could impact native species if it re-established.

Introduced plants
Competition from exotic weeds is a threat to all plant species covered by the plan, and most native plant communities are affected to some degree. Of the 612 species of vascular plants on Norfolk Island, 430 are established non-native species (Invasive Species Council and Island Conservation 2017). These non-native species have been introduced either accidentally as seeds or deliberately for cultivation (Maynard et al. 2018). Of these introduced species more than 65 are invasive (Invasive Species Compendium 2022a) and have contributed to changes in the composition and structure of vegetation, affecting the survival and reproduction of native plant species and some animals. For example, weed invasion has resulted in changes to the forest structure and a decline in the quality of habitat for Campbell's keeled glass-snail and Suter's striped glass-snail (TSSC 2009a,d). There are several particularly widespread and problematic invasive species (Davidson et al. 1994; Invasive Species Compendium 2022b; J Christian 2024, pers comm 11 January), including red guava (Psidium cattleyanum var. cattleyanum), African olive (Olea europaea cuspidata), broad-leaf pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) and lantana (Lantana camara). Native plant species with restricted distributions or specific habitat requirements, such as ferns on stream banks, are particularly at risk of being out competed by invasive weeds.
Knowledge of aquatic weeds is currently data deficient. Of the 38 wetland plants on the island, 27 are introduced (Mills 2012a). Most of these are found in the Kingston Common, Lower Watermill Creek and dam, and Lower Cascade Creek. One of the worst wetland weeds is water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), which is highly abundant (to the point of