After an initial report in Sydney, faba bean aphid (FBA – Megoura crassicauda) was confirmed in September 2017 in faba beans in Tamworth and Breeza. Very few commercial faba bean crops were sown during the drought in 2018 and 2019, however seasonal conditions then improved and FBA was found in July 2020 in faba bean trials in Grafton. This infestation… Read more »
It was expected that many southern Queensland regions would be too cold for fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) to survive. However larval populations were found in the South Burnett and Lockyer Valleys, and small numbers of moths were also detected in pheromone traps on the Darling Downs this winter. Caterpillars and moths in the South Burnett In July, larvae were… Read more »
Beet webworm (Spoladea recurvalis) moths are being seen in huge numbers in mungbean crops at present. The moths are brown with white bands across the wings, and rest with their wings swept back. Those familiar with bean podborer (Maruca vitrata) will see the similarities between the two moths – both small brown moths that move readily when disturbed. At rest,… Read more »
A plague of a native geometrid moths (Antictenia punctunculus – no common name) has visited southern Queensland, with huge numbers of moths reported. The species belongs to the twig looper family (Family Geometridae) and occurs in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT. The moths have a 35-40 mm wingspan and distinctive colour pattern. The adults are a greyish brown… Read more »
While ants are most often thought of as a nuisance in kitchens or at picnics, they can also be present in a wide range of crops and other farm areas. Although ant nests are usually built in undisturbed locations (in field crops ants are most commonly found on field margins), in some soils they can colonise cultivated areas quite quickly…. Read more »
The Beatsheet would like to wish all our readers and subscribers a very merry chrysalis for 2019! For those taking a break we hope you have a safe and happy holiday. The Beatsheet is brought to you with the support of DAF, GRDC and CRDC. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this pest management information service, please let… Read more »
One of the revelations for entomologists Hugh Brier and Trevor Volp during their recent trip to the Burdekin was that northern redbanded shield bugs (RBSB) (Piezodorus oceanicus) appear to be pale in comparison to their southern counterparts. In south east Queensland, females have a red (or pink) transverse band across their ‘shoulders’. In samples collected from Kingaroy and Bundaberg in… Read more »
Hugh Brier, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries senior entomologist based at Kingaroy, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the summer grains industries with an award at the recent Australian Summer Grains Conference. Hugh has dedicated his career with DAF to supporting the grains industries and it is fantastic to see this contribution again acknowledged by industry (Hugh was… Read more »
It seems the warm weather is not only causing the pests to multiply in the South Burnett—the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Kingaroy Research Station has tripled its entomologists! Hugh ‘Bugs’ Brier has now been joined by Dr Liz Williams (research entomologist) and Trevor Volp (technical officer – entomology). Both positions were made possible by the GRDC, through the… Read more »
Insect management in grain crops workshop for advisers and growers (September 2014) These 1-day workshops for advisers and growers will explore effective and sustainable management strategies, with a focus on pests of local significance. The morning sessions are indoors, and the after lunch sessions in the field (weather permitting) to discuss practical aspects of pest identification, scouting and management. Wednesday… Read more »
