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Armyworms continue to pose a threat for growers this season. Armyworms are among the better-known migratory species that can invade crops in large numbers and lay eggs in late winter and early spring. Agronomist, Sheree Hamson (AGnVET Services), has reported armyworm feeding damage to a wheat crop north of Albury, in the South West Slopes district of New South Wales. The caterpillars have chewed the flag leaves and caused some feeding damage to wheat heads. Senior farm consultant, Tim Condon (Delta Agribusiness), has reported armyworm activity and associated feeding damage to cereal crops around Harden, also in the South West Slopes district. In addition, armyworms continue to be found in many cereal crops in the North West Slopes and Plains district of New South Wales.
Armyworms are most easily recognised by their smooth bodies, three distinct white bands that always start at the ‘collar’ behind their heads and mostly run down their bodies, and their otherwise green-brown colour. It is important to recognise armyworms early and be prepared to spray when economic damage is imminent. A barley crop can be decimated by armyworms in just a few days. Whilst large larvae (30-40 mm in length) do most of the head lopping, controlling smaller larvae that are still leaf feeding may be more achievable.
Refer to PestFacts Issue No. 8 for further information on armyworms.
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.”
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