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Agronomist, Jim Cronin (Landmark), has reported slugs feeding on wheat and canola around Forbes, in the Central West Slopes and Plains district of New South Wales. The slugs have trimmed the odd plant off at ground level, as well as shredding leaves, particularly on the upper part of wheat plants. Jim says the affected paddocks contain a heavy stubble load. Agronomist, Warwick Nightingale (Delta Agribusiness), says slugs have also been active in parts of the South West Slopes district of New South Wales. Slugs have been attacking a few emerging canola and cereal crops between Wagga Wagga and Albury.
The main pest species of slugs attacking broad-acre crops are the black keeled slug (Milax gagates) and the grey field slug (Deroceras reticulatum). The brown field slug (Deroceras invadens) can also be a serious pest, with species often co-occurring. The most common control method for slugs is to use chemical baits, Baits are most effective when paddocks are bare, and so if there is retained stubble, control may not be as good. Baiting in late winter and spring is generally not as effective as baits applied prior to crop emergence.
When baiting, it is important to consider the soil conditions, number of baits used and how this relates to slug densities. Baiting efficacy can be reduced when there are higher slug populations, an increased availability of refuges, and higher amounts of plant material.
Click here for further information on slugs or refer to PestFacts Issue No. 2.
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.
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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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