Category Archives: Crops

Collecting to assess silverleaf whitefly susceptibility to insecticides

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As the cotton season draws to a close it is time to for the DAFF team working on Silverleaf whitefly (SLW) resistance monitoring to start making collections of whitefly from across the cotton-growing regions. Even if SLW numbers are below threshold, it is possible for the team to make collections of either nymphs (on leaves) or adults (using the suction… Read more »

Managing Silverleaf Whitefly (SLW) – Wet conditions, late crops and immigrant populations

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Management of whitefly this season will be challenging as a result of the high rainfall and flooding in November and  again in February which has resulted in a wide spread of crop maturity both between and within each region. While some cotton crops will mature on time, others could be set back by as much as six weeks by the cool… Read more »

Green vegetable bug (GVB) in late cotton

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There have been several reports of GVB occurring in late cotton crops. This has led to some confusion in the industry as to whether GVB needs to be controlled at this late stage in cotton.  Research done by DEEDI entomologists has shown that younger bolls are more susceptible to lint damage caused by GVB feeding. These factors need to be… Read more »

Broad mites in cotton

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Broad mites have shown up in cotton crops in Emerald and in the Gwydir this season. Whilst the mites themselves are extremely small and difficult to see, even with a handlens, being familiar with symptoms of broad mite infestation may assist with a diagnosis.

Watch out for the Blues

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  Noticeable numbers of grass blue butterfly larvae (Zizina labradus) have been observed in young soybean crops in the Wide Bay Burnett. While the small green larvae (maximum length 10 mm) may be difficult to see in the crops, the damage they cause is very obvious. Grass blue butterfly larvae feeding results in windowing of the leaves (this is mostly cosmetic)… Read more »

Beware of Apple Dimpling bugs

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  There have been several reports of high numbers of apple dimpling bug (ADB) in early squaring cotton throughout the major cotton growing valleys. Also known as the yellow mirid, ADB adults (about 3mm long) are about one third the size of green mirid adults.  They are yellow-green, have dark spines on the legs and hairy wings that are folded flat on… Read more »

Helicoverpa and NPV in Sorghum – Current Issues

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As the earlier plantings of sorghum progress through flowering, moderate to high Helicoverpa pressure means that many crops have caterpillar numbers over threshold.  Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) is one of the main insecticides used to control Helicoverpa larvae in sorghum, however prevailing conditions play an important role in the speed and level of control achieved with NPV.

Early season aphid identification and management considerations in cotton

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As the cotton season gets underway aphids are starting to be detected in crops, on ratoons, volunteers and weeds. Last season, there were some regions where Cotton Bunchy Top (CBT) was detected in crops towards the end of the season. To assess and manage the risk of yield loss caused by CBT, and minimise the difficulties of controlling insecticide resistant… Read more »

2011 IPM forum highlights

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More than 50 researchers, extension staff and industry representatives attended this year’s IPM forum in Toowoomba. The IPM forum is an annual event and brings together researchers and industry to discuss the latest research and developments in pest management for the Northern region. Topics presented at the forum consist of a mix of current research and industry-ready research outcomes. Below… Read more »

Mites invade mungbeans

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Two spotted mites (TSM) or red spider mites have been reported in damaging numbers in many mungbean crops on the Darling Downs and in Northern NSW.  Crops at particular risk are those adjacent to maturing cotton (or any other mite hosts) from which mites are dispersing in large numbers.  As TSM are very small (0.5 mm) the first evidence of their… Read more »