More on earth mites, lucerne flea & slugs

Lucerne flea (Sminthurus viridis), blue oat mites (Penthaleus spp.), redlegged earth mites (Halotydeus destructor) and slugs continue to be the major pests across most regions in Victoria and New South Wales. Agronomist, Philip Hawker says redlegged earth mites and lucerne fleas have been an ongoing issue in parts of the Western district of Victoria. Sprays have been applied in many cases and some reinvasion of redlegged earth mites has occurred along the edges of paddocks. This highlights the importance of monitoring paddocks after spraying to assess the success of control.

Peter Spencer (IK Caldwell) has reported high numbers of blue oat mites and redlegged earth mites in pastures and on several crops in Cobram and surrounding areas. Vicky French (Elders) reports redlegged earth mites are causing major damage to emerging cereal and canola crops in Mortlake, western Victoria. Vicky has also observed mite damage on emerging pastures and established plantain.

Phil Stoddart says both redlegged earth mites and blue oat mites are present around Mudgee, NSW, in pastures and some crops being sown in paddocks that were pasture last year. Because of the dry conditions, numbers have not built up to high levels and have generally not needed chemical control. Agronomist, Geoff Pitson, has also reported some earth mite activity on canola crops south of Wagga Wagga.

Eoin Flett has observed lucerne fleas attacking oats and establishing pasture paddocks north of Geelong. Farmer, David Wisewould, says lucerne flea have been found in volunteer cereals and in vetch paddocks around Rupanyup. Redlegged earth mites and blue oat mites have also been problematic, although David says the present numbers do not warrant chemical applications.

Vicky French reports that slugs are causing damage to canola crops across the Mortlake area, particularly if any stubble is present. Philip Hawker has also reported some slug activity around Derrinallum. One canola paddock near Lismore has required re-sowing due to slug damage.  Slug numbers can be monitored by placing carpet squares or tiles on the soil surface and counting the numbers under the squares after a few days.

For further information on redlegged earth mites, blue oat mites and slugs refer to PestFacts Issue No 1, and for information on lucerne flea refer to PestFacts Issue No 2.