Getting Pale Cotton Stainer identification right

Over the past few weeks there have been reports of cotton stainers in cotton crops in Central Queensland and on the Darling Downs. This week we received photographs of ‘stainers’ from CQ which raised the importance of correct identification. Read More »

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Slugs in Seedling Crops

The wet spring, early summer conditions have favoured the return of a pest not seen for many years – slugs!  Damaging slug populations, reported in seedling crops in northern NSW and southern Queensland, have totally destroyed some pulse crops.  Increased slug activity may also be due to the increase in zero/minimum till and stubble retention practices which favour slug and snail development and survival. This is because the organic content of paddocks increases under such systems, providing an increased food source especially to young slugs and snails. Read More »

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Early Season Helicoverpa issues and the use of NPV to control larvae

Helicoverpa populations have started with a bang this season.  One or more larvae per plant are common in pre-flowering sorghum, corn and cotton. However, early flowering sorghum crops are carrying up to 10 larvae per head.  Corn and sorghum (monocot crops) host only Helicoverpa armigera, not H. punctigera – which has implications for control.  Some key issues relevant to dealing with a high pressure Helicoverpa season are discussed below. Read More »

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Mirid research trials on the Darling Downs

In order to keep you updated with entomology activities, the following article outlines the research trials to be conducted on mirids this season on the Darling Downs by Dr Moazzem Khan (Senior Entomologist, DEEDI, Toowoomba).
Read More »

Posted in Cotton, mirids | 2 Comments

Helicoverpa larvae surviving in failed chickpea crops may be a threat to the following crop

With some chickpea crops being sprayed out, rather than harvested, there are reports of helicoverpa larvae surviving on crop residues. The survival of larvae, particularly large late instar larvae, poses a threat to subsequent crops that may be sown directly into the chickpea residues. It is important to check for surviving larvae under the chickpea residues before the next crop starts to emerge. Read More »

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ENDOSULFAN registration cancelled

On the 12th of October, 2010, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) announced the immediate cancellation of all product registrations and label approvals for all insecticides containing endosulfan. Read More »

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Black Soil Scarab Damage to Winter Cereals

This winter we’ve seen several instances of severe scarab damage to winter cereals (wheat, barley and oats) , including on crops at Jandowae and Felton on the Darling Downs. The photograph below shows that severe damage is mostly confined to areas of paddocks which were previously pasture – and this is where the highest scarab populations were found. Read More »

Posted in barley, wheat, Winter cereals | 4 Comments

Good IPM starts in winter

Farm hygiene underpins the successful management of a number of major pests. The recent appearance of solonopsis mealybug has highlighted again the importance of farm hygiene. We already know from past experiences with silverleaf whitefly (SLW), aphids and bunchy top that it makes economic sense to keep on top of weeds and volunteer cotton.  Good farm hygiene over winter is an investment in next season’s crop. Read More »

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Season wrap-up for Whitefly in Cotton

 Outlined in today’s blog are the results for whitefly parasitism assessments, whitefly species composition and whitefly resistance testing from the 2009-2010 cotton season.  Read More »

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Avenge of the caterpillars…

High rainfall and active plant growth have created perfect conditions for insects to build up in high numbers. On the Downs there have been reports of castor oil looper and common armyworm in plague numbers as well as other caterpillars including sorghum head caterpillar. Read More »

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