Hello, welcome back to interview with the pest’s blog. Today we will be interviewing a species the was introduced to Australia by accident in 1845 when this species arrived by cargo ships. We will be covering why they were introduced, their ecology, impact/threats to Australia and how are they controlled. Say hello to the Asian House Gecko.
Gecko: Hello Everyone, my name is Asian House Gecko or “Gecko” for short. I arrived in Australia by cargo ships in 1845 by accident and have continue to spread over Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Norfolk islands. I am also called the Common House Gecko. (business.gld.gov.au, 2020).
Q: So, what is your diet like in Australia? Is there a particular habitat you like?
Gecko: In Southeast Asia, I preferred woodland habitats. In Australia, I live in urban areas which have light sources that attract flying insects that I feed on. I can be found in woodland areas so long as it is in tropical areas as I cannot stand the cold. My scientific name is Hemidactylus frenatus and below is a picture of what I look like (australiangeographic.com.au, 2020).
Picture by climatewatch.org.au,
2020.
Gecko: As I am not well known as the Cane toad or a Feral deer, I fall under the radar of been known as a pest. I do compete with native gecko species for food and space and many native geckos are killed because they are mistaken as me. Below is a picture of a Barking Gecko and a Dtella gecko which can be mistaken as me.
Barking Gecko (above) by
abc.net.au and Dtella (bellow) by qm.qld.gov.au
Gecko: Unfortunately, there is no biosecurity/control measures for me as I am not classed as a major pest.
Next time, we will be covering a species of bird that is out competing our native birds for space and food. It is also a threat to Australian crops.
References
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-13/asian-house-geckos-fast-invading-australian-homes/9644402
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2018/04/asian-house-geckos-to-love-them-or-hate-them/
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/land-management/health-pests-weeds-diseases/pests/invasive-animals/other/asian-house-gecko
https://www.climatewatch.org.au/species/reptiles/asian-house-gecko
https://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/Animals+of+Queensland/Reptiles/Geckos/Dtella#.XsM_I0BuLIU
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