sustainability through science & innovation
04 Jul 2013
Recent research led by cesar has found the extent of insecticide resistance in green peach aphids has escalated across Australia. This research has demonstrated widespread resistance to synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates exists in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. The research also showed that a number of field populations of green peach aphid have recently developed resistance to carbamate insecticides, including pirimicarb.
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At cesar, we help Australian farmers to manage pests based on sound information and principles of science and sustainability. In addition to working directly with growers and advisers, we undertake several national, industry-wide research projects.
One of our current projects is the investigation of insecticide resistance in the green peach aphid and other grain pests. cesar’s Dr Annette Anderson has been leading this work and says that of the 27 GPA populations tested in eastern Australia, 13 showed high resistance to synthetic pyrethroid insecticides. Not only is this resistance widespread but the levels of resistance are far greater than expected. This indicates resistance to this chemical group has become significantly more common over the past 10 years.
Organophosphate resistance, which has been observed in Australia for many years, was also identified in populations across all states. More alarming was the discovery that 11 populations were resistant to pirimicarb. Resistance to primicarb is particularly concerning for pulse and oilseed growers because this chemical has been seen as a fallback for aphid populations resistant to other chemical groups.
Further information
Acknowledgements
This research is funded by the Grains Research & Development Corporation and is in collaboration with CSIRO, the South Australian Research and Development Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
