Once again, lucerne crown borer (LCB) (Zygrita diva) has been active in soybeans this season. Worst affected regions were the Northern Rivers and the Liverpool Plains in NSW, but reports were also fielded from the Bundaberg, Fassifern and Darling Downs regions in Queensland. In some of the severely affected crops, over 80% of plants were infested, and up to 70%… Read more »
The National Management Group (NMG), comprising all Australian governments, Grain Producers Australia and Plant Health Australia, met on 8 June 2016 to discuss the incursion of Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) in South Australia. Acting on advice from the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP), the NMG agreed that it is not technically feasible to eradicate Russian wheat aphid… Read more »
The minute two-spotted ladybird beetle (Diomus notescens) and the transverse ladybird beetle (Coccinella transversalis) are two natural enemies of cotton aphid (Aphid gossypii). They are commonly found in Australian crops, however relatively little is known about their biology. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) to learn more about aspects of… Read more »
The South Australian government are currently responding to detections of Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia), which was initially found on a property in Tarlee in South Australia on 13 May 2106. Since the first detection, Russian wheat aphid has been found on a further 22 properties within 1,400 square kilometres, and the number is expected to rise. Investigations are underway… Read more »
Call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 if you see this pest Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) has been found on over 1,400 square kilometres of land in the mid-north of South Australia. Russian wheat aphid is a major pest of cereal crops which injects toxins into the plant during feeding, retarding growth and killing the plant. Russian wheat aphid… Read more »
In response to the recent confirmation of the damage potential of green mirids in faba beans, Pulse Australia has successfully applied to the APVMA for a permit to allow the use of dimethoate for the control of mirids in faba beans (PER82378). The permit is active from 1 June 2016 to 31 May 2021, and is applicable in all states,… Read more »
Aeration cooling uses fans on grain storages to lower grain temperatures, which helps maintain grain quality and reduce storage pest problems. When cooling grain using aeration, the aim is to reduce and keep grain temperatures below the following seasonal targets: Winter crops (stored November-March): below 23°C Summer crops (stored April-September): below 15°C Most insect storage pests prefer temperatures from 25-35°C… 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 »
Bean podborer (Maruca vitrata) have been observed in large numbers (>20/m2) in flowering/podding mungbeans planted from January onwards in the Burnett region. They are likely to be present in other coastal/subcoastal regions such as the Burdekin, Callide Valley and the Wide Bay/Burnett (particularly in late-planted crops), and to a lesser extent in the eastern Darling Downs, and Emerald in Central… Read more »
