sustainability through science & innovation
Agronomist, Mick Duncan (Northern Agriculture), has reported finding aphids in several wheat and barley crops around Tamworth, in the North West Slopes and Plains district of New South Wales. High numbers of aphids could be easily found on the lower stems of plants, however Mick says the plants are not moisture stressed and the aphids do not appear to be impacting growth at this stage. Some aphid ‘mummies’ were also present, indicating the presence of small aphid parasitic wasps.
The two main aphid species found in cereal crops are the oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) and the corn aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis). Although oat aphids are mostly found on oats and wheat, and corn aphids are more common on barley, both species may attack all cereals. For both species, a commonly used threshold is to consider control when there are 10-20 aphids on 50% of tillers. However, the impact of aphids on winter cereals (yield and quality) is the result of a complex relationship that involves the timing of infestation, aphid density, where on the plant the aphids feed and crop physiology at the time of infestation. For further information on cereal aphids, refer to PestFacts Issue No. 8.
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
