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Agronomist, Michael Joss (Elders), reports finding high numbers of bronzed field beetle larvae and adults in a canola crop south of Ararat, in the Western district of Victoria. Approximately 5 acres of the crop was significantly damaged, however evidence of feeding was visible across the entire paddock. In the worst affected areas Michael estimates the pest density to be at least 20/m². Leaves were found chewed down to the base and some stems had also been removed. The paddock has been a long-term pasture paddock prior to this season.
Bronzed field beetles (Adelium brevicorne) are up to 11 mm long and are shiny black in colour with a slight bronze appearance. The larvae are dark brown, up to 12 mm long and 3 mm wide. They have twelve body segments, the last one having two distinct upturned spines. The larvae are often confused with the grey false wireworm, which is a serious pest in Victoria and parts of southern NSW. The larvae of the grey false wireworm have a flatter appearance and the adults are dull brown in colour and smaller in size.
Bronze field beetle larvae are generally within the top 1 cm of the soil and can be found under plant material, clods of soil, rocks or wood. The larvae may be present in the soil with little or no damage to plant seedlings. This is because they primarily feed on dead organic matter and high numbers are required to cause serious crop damage. They mostly feed on plants at night but can sometimes be seen during the day. Bronzed field beetles are important pests of establishing canola, and typically do not affect cereals or pulse crops. For further information on bronzed field beetles, click here.
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.
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