Landholders in northern NSW are being urged to be on the lookout for signs of the Fall Armyworm (FAW) and participate in the upcoming North West Local Land Services and DPI webinar on the pest.
FAW were first detected in the Torres Strait in late January 2020 and on mainland Australia shortly afterwards. It is currently established in parts of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.
The most southern detection of FAW in eastern Australia is at Bundaberg. The pest is expected to continue southwards.
FAW has the potential to be very destructive to the agricultural industry as its larvae can feed on many crop species including maize, sorghum, pulses, winter cereals, sugar cane, rice and cotton.
It has a high preference for maize crops and can be particularly destructive when not controlled.
The North West Local Land Services have been collaborating with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Plant Biosecurity team in the monitoring of FAW.
Kate Pearce, North West Local Land Services Mixed Farming Officer started surveillance work for FAW by setting traps in late summer crops earlier this year.
“Six sites were set up along the border and around Moree and fortunately had no positive FAW samples come back. Findings included mostly native armyworm,” Kate said.
“We will continue to monitor the upcoming summer crops with surveillance starting again in late September.
“The importance of this work is to ensure potentially affected industries are prepared and providing crucial support for industries regarding insect diagnostic and permits for chemical management options.”
The FAW is a migratory species that utilises prevailing winds and can also be spread by humans or on infested plant materials. It has become resistant to many chemical treatments.
Confirmed detections by Australian biosecurity organisations have determined it unfeasible to eradicate the pest.
North West Local Land Services advises that the best way to minimise the spread and impact of FAW is to identify signs of infestation early.
An Integrated Pest Management program which combines a careful selection of insecticides with natural enemy conservation and good agronomic practises, is the best management approach for landholders.
