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More reports have come in from various locations in southern New South Wales and Victoria of oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) problems. Agronomist, Mick Duncan (Northern Agriculture P/L), also reports high levels of aphids around Tamworth, in northern New South Wales. Mick says barley crops have seen particularly high aphid numbers. Spraying for oat aphid feeding damage is considered worthwhile if 50% of tillers have >15 aphids. Trials in Western Australia have shown that at this density (when crops are expected to yield 3 t/ha or more), feeding damage may cause reductions in yields by up to 10% and also reduce seed size.
The recent dry weather conditions experienced across most regions can confound aphid damage. Given the high prices for grain expected this season, many agronomists have decided that spraying is worthwhile. Unfortunately, late application of insecticides in situations where aphids have been at damaging levels for some time, or when applied to crops with advanced growth stages, will have less impact.
For images of oat aphids, click here. For further information, refer to earlier editions of PestFacts.
What is PestFacts?
PestFacts south-eastern keeps growers and advisers informed about invertebrate pests and beneficials in broadacre crops and pastures during the winter-cropping season in Victoria and southern New South Wales.
PestFacts south-eastern is run through IPMforGrains: Best Practice Insect Pest Management, a project delivered by the National Pest Information Network (cesar, DPIRD, QDAF, NSW DPI, and SARDI). This project aims to provide grain growers and advisors with information on invertebrate grain pest occurrence and equip industry with the knowledge needed to implement integrated pest management practices. This initiative is a GRDC investment and includes in-kind contributions from all project partner organisations.
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PestFacts is produced on an ʻas-needsʼ basis and relies upon pest observations and field reports from our subscribers. If you have recently observed invertebrate pests (or beneficial species) in broadacre crops, please contact us to report your observations.
Agricultural invertebrate identification
If you are a grower or agronomist in Victoria or NSW working with broadacre crops or pastures, we can assist you with identifying invertebrates found on farms at no cost. Please contact us for identification help.
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PestFacts map is an interactive tool that allows users to search and view historical pest reports across Victoria and NSW. The map is updated with each issue of PestFacts to include new reports.
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