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Agronomist, Damien Tanner (JSA Independent), has reported slaters causing considerable damage to a seedling canola crop near Donald, in the Wimmera district of Victoria. The damage is characterised by irregular chewing of the cotyledons and leaves. Damien says about 10% of the plants have signs of feeding damage. The seed was treated with an insecticide dressing, but this does not appear to be offering much protection.
Although uncommon, slaters will occasionally attack broad-acre crops, and in some instances can cause serious damage. The number of issues with slaters has increased considerably over the last 5 years or so. There appears to be a strong correlation with minimum tillage and stubble retention. Stubble provides a cool, moist refuge that facilitates survival and population development.
However, it is important to remember that the presence of slaters within a paddock (even in high numbers) does not necessarily mean a pest issue. Slaters typically feed on decaying organic matter and only rarely feed on crop seedlings. Monitor crops closely before deciding on the best course of action. In the past, some growers have used methiocarb baits or high rates of chlorpyrifos sprayed late in the evening (or at night), when slaters are most active.
Refer to PestFacts Issue No. 2 for further information on slaters.
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.
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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.
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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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