Slaters

Agronomist, Angela Walker, reports that slaters (Australiodillo bifrons) have been attacking oat seedlings in Moree, in the North West Slopes and Plains district of NSW. Farmer, Helen Johnston, has observed large numbers of slaters in oat and wheat crops around Moree. Helen says slaters have become a major local pest, leading to reduced yields in several cereal paddocks over the last few years. They leave feeding damage of "windows" of transparent leaf membrane, similar to lucerne flea damage. Agronomist, Stephanie Bellfield (NSW DPI), has received several reports, also around the Moree area, of slater numbers building-up.

Contrary to common belief, slaters are crustaceans, not insects. They have a hard skeleton on the outside of their bodies and many pairs of jointed legs. Very little is known about A. bifrons, which is an endemic species of Australia. Adults are approximately 7-9 mm long and 4-6 mm wide. They are oval shaped and have a flattened body, with light coloured legs. The body is light brown in colour, with a dark brown head and dark brown marking down the middle.

A. bifrons is a lowland swamp species, adapted to marshy environments. They will die if exposed to open and dry situations, with most reports indicating an association with paddocks in or near flood plains. They have the unusual behaviour of moving in ‘swarms’ which can consist of >100,000 individuals.

Slaters are a pest in South Africa where they often attack lupins and canola. Although slaters have not previously been considered a pest of broad-acre crops within Australia, it is best to keep an eye on them. Similar circumstances to those experienced in Moree could occur in other regions. Agronomist, Clinton Rogers (Elders), has reported slaters causing damage to newly sown pastures in Mortlake, in the Western district of Victoria. Clinton says very high numbers can be seen across several paddocks where they appear to preferentially feed on young rye grass. The species of slater that is causing damage in Mortlake is yet to be identified.