Native budworm

Agronomic consultant, Baden Dickson (AgmanGroup), has observed native budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera) eggs in lupin and chickpea crops north of West Wyalong, in the Central West Slopes & Plains district of New South Wales. Baden says he is yet find native budworm larvae, however these observations should serve as a timely reminder for growers and advisors to be on the lookout in pulse and canola crops. Native budworm migrate to the southern and eastern cropping regions during early spring. Searching for eggs can give an initial indication of native budworm activity in crops.

Eggs are usually laid on the upper surface of leaves but may also be found on the lower surface of leaves and on flowers and pods. Sweep netting is the best method to detect larvae in crops, and it is important to sample representative parts of the entire crop prior to making any control decisions. Eggs laid by moths will take at least 2 weeks before they hatch into grubs and grow to a size of approximately 5 mm where they can be detected by sweep netting. It typically takes about 7 weeks from the time of egg-laying until caterpillars are fully-grown. Larvae feed on the buds, flowers, fruiting parts and seeds of plants, and will attack field peas, faba beans, lentils, chickpeas, lupins and canola crops, as well as pasture seed crops of lucerne, annual medic and clover.

Native budworm larvae can grow up to 40 mm long and can vary substantially in colour (shades of brown, green and orange). They usually have darkish strips along the body and bumpy skin with sparse stiff black hairs. Newly hatched larvae are light in colour with dark brown heads and spots, and as they develop they become darker in colour. Adult moths are approximately 30-35 mm long, light brown to red-brown, with numerous dark spots and blotches.

For further information on the lifecycle of native budworm, as well as information on monitoring and control thresholds, click here.