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The lucerne flea (Sminthurus viridis) continues to be a major pest across many regions of Victoria and NSW. Agronomist, Neil Durning (AGnVET Services), reports significant lucerne flea damage to several pastures near Junee, in the South West Slopes of NSW. Although the lucerne flea distribution is patchy within many paddocks, Neil says the high numbers and the level of damage have necessitated chemical control in many paddocks. Agronomist, Jim Cronin (Landmark), has reported very high numbers of lucerne flea in several paddocks around Milvale, also in the South West Slopes of NSW. Agronomist, Dave Eksteen (NSW DPI), says high numbers of lucerne flea have also emerged around Finley, in the Riverina district of NSW, and are causing damage to emerging canola crops and pastures.
Farmer, David Cook, reports lucerne flea attacking irrigated clover near Shepparton, in the Northern Country of Victoria. Many beneficial species (including snout mites, which have orange bodies and legs) have also been identified within these paddocks. These mites can be effective predators of lucerne flea and help keep pest populations in check. As a result, David has only sprayed in patches where lucerne flea numbers are high and causing severe damage. David says these paddocks will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
For further information on lucerne flea refer to PestFacts Issue No. 1.
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.
We need your reports
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.
PestFacts map
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.
How to acknowledge PestFacts?
With appropriate acknowledgement, cesar grants permission to reproduce information taken directly from PestFacts. To cite PestFacts: “PestFacts south-eastern (<<enter date published>>). cesar pty ltd.”
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