sustainability through science & innovation
Agronomist, Allan Tarrant (Landmark), reports finding significant numbers of black-keeled slugs in a canola crop at Cowra, in the Central Tablelands district of New South Wales. Up to 25 slugs/m2 could be found in large patches of the paddock when visually searching during the day. The crop is currently at the 3-leaf stage and was sown into a heavy black soil in a long-term cropping paddock. Allan says damage is variable across the paddock, with some areas affected worse than others. In these areas long strips have been removed from leaves, which Allan says has a similar appearance to hail damage.
The black-keeled slug (Milax gagates) and the grey field slug (Deroceras reticultatum) are the most commonly encountered slug species in broad-acre crops in southern Australia. Both species grow to 40-50 mm long and can cause significant damage to seeds and seedlings of establishing crops. All seedling crops and pastures may be affected however canola is particularly susceptible. Damage is often patchy within a paddock and can result in the death of plants. Click here for images of the grey field slug and click here for images of the black keeled slug.
The most common control method for slugs is to apply baits, which should be applied early in the season after good germinating rains. Doing so means there is little alternative food to compete with the bait pellets and adults are likely to be killed before they have laid eggs. Once crops begin to emerge the effectiveness of baiting may decrease as the amount of alternative food sources increases. In this case Allan says a metaldehyde based bait has been applied.
For further information about monitoring methods for slugs, see PestFacts Issue No. 4.
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.”
Contact us
0484 310 697
|
PestFacts Reporter app: |
||
 |
 |
|
PestFacts is supported by
