Native budworm

PestFacts Issue No. 12 - 19th October 2007

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries (Victoria DPI) is presently monitoring native budworm numbers caught in pheromone traps in various regions across Victoria. This provides an indication of the pest risk potential for particular areas and crops. The following information and budworm numbers for October 6^th - October 14^th have kindly been provided by Ashley Wallace and De-Anne Price (Victoria DPI).

Region	Trap Sites	Moth count 7 days	Moth count 10 days*	Crop & Growth Stage	Comments
Mallee	Walpeup Wycheproof	0 14	0 20	Field peas, ready to harvest Field peas, dead	15^th Oct, 32°C
Wimmera	Brim	65	93	Field peas, podding	Dry
North Central	Kerang	50	71	Faba beans

*10 day counts are projected; based on 7 day counts.

Moth numbers appear to be declining in many areas across the state, although monitoring individual crops remains the best way to determine the risk native budworm pose. It is reported that native budworm caterpillars are appearing in numbers close to economic threshold levels in some paddocks; with spraying continuing in areas where yield potential is still reasonable.

The quickest and easiest method to sample most crops is to sweep with an insect net, although monitoring should also include pod inspections. The most notable damage by native budworm is on the pods and seeds; with all larval sizes capable of damaging seed pods.

Eggs laid by moths arriving into crops that are only a few weeks away from harvest are unlikely to be of major concern as the resulting grubs will be too small to do any significant damage before the crop dries off. However, growers should continue to monitor for caterpillar activity in ripening crops and assess this against the cost of spraying.

Click here for information on native budworm management and click here for images. For further information, refer to PestFacts Issue No. 9.

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