Question

Explain why the cane toad was a failure as a biological control method in Australia.

Answer 1

The cane toad was a failure as a biological control method in Australia because:
-The greyback beetle it was supposed to be eating fed at the top of the sugarcane stalks (which were 6-8 meters in height). Cane toads cannot fly or climb and therefore couldnt feed on the beetles.
-The beetles were out during the daytime, and cane toads feed at night.
-The two species are not seasonally compatible (aren't in the same place at the same time of year).
-The toads needed moist conditions to survive, and so moved away from where they were supposed to be.
-The cane toad eats many native species and often out-competes native species for food and breeding sites, leading to the decline of natives.
-Breeding habits made the cane toads a very invasive species.