sustainability through science & innovation
We have received further reports of blue oat mites (Penthaleus spp.) attacking several crops. Consulting agronomist, Ross Watson (Ross Watson Agriculture), has reported very high mite numbers within pasture paddocks around Scone, in the Hunter district of New South Wales. Ross says the mites have caused significant feeding damage to pasture grasses, which is characterized by ‘silvering’ or ‘whitening’ of the attacked foliage.
Agronomist, Greg Toomey (Landmark), has also reported extremely high numbers of blue oat mites around Elmore, in the Northern Country district of Victoria. Greg says the number of mites currently present within crops is the highest he has ever observed in spring. It appears that the highest numbers of mites are being found in minimum or no-tillage paddocks with high stubble loads. Greg reports that in some cereal crops, almost every leaf (including the flag leaf) is displaying silvering feeding damage.
Blue oat mites will often reduce pasture productivity in spring. However, they do not typically cause economic damage to winter field crops at this time of the year, as plants are generally able to outgrow the feeding damage. This season the numbers of mites found within crops is ‘unusually’ high in some regions, and there is evidence that economic damage is occurring. It is highly recommended that growers continue to monitor crops for blue oat mites, particularly younger crops and those under stress. Pasture paddocks should also be monitored over the next 3-4 weeks, particularly grass-dominated pastures.
Click here for images of blue oat mites. For further information about blue oat mites 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.
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
