sustainability through science & innovation
Agronomist, Adam Pearce (Elders), has recently reported Mandalotus weevils (Mandalotus spp.) attacking several canola crops north of Mildura, in the Lower Western district of New South Wales. The canola plants range from early cotyledon to the 2-leaf stage, although germination within some of the paddocks was patchy due to variable moisture. Adam says adult weevils could be seen actively feeding on the plants, with many seedlings being completely ring-barked and pulled over. Some of the crops were sown with an imidacloprid seed dressing, however significant feeding damage was still evident in these paddocks.
The affected paddocks are mostly on sandy-red loam soil, and have a history of cereal, fallow or native scrub, and have not previously been cropped to canola. Historically, some of the most severe cases of Mandalotus weevil damage have occurred in paddocks cropped to canola for the first time, probably because resident weevil populations were not detected previously in less susceptible crops or pastures. Entomologist, Kym Perry (SARDI), advises growers in low rainfall areas that are growing canola in paddocks for the first time, to take extra care and carefully monitor these paddocks for weevils during the first 4-6 weeks after emergence.
There are currently no insecticides registered and we have received reports that Mandalotus weevils are difficult to control and may have a higher tolerance to insecticides compared with other weevil species. Adam says that synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates have been applied to paddocks with variable results. Insecticide seed dressings are unlikely to provide adequate control, although they may offer some protection.
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
