Fall armyworm research, development and extension for horticulture

Ramesh Puri, Extension Officer with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Queensland, presented “Learning together for area-wide fall armyworm management: Experiences from sweet corn pupae-busting trials in North Queensland” at the 2025 APEN International Conference in Brisbane. In his talk, Ramesh described a participatory action research approach that he and the team at DPI’s Bowen Research Facility have used with industry to evaluate cultivation-based strategies to reduce fall armyworm moth emergence.

The sweet corn pupae-busting trials were co-designed by DPI researchers and Bowen–Burdekin growers and found that while pupae-busting (during cultivations for weed control) reduces moth emergence (80%) under sweet corn crops, this alone is unlikely to deliver broad-scale, sustainable suppression of fall armyworm.

This joint research activity represents early attempts by the team to practice participatory action research by fostering collaboration, cooperation, and trust, and by providing opportunities for immediate shared learning among growers, agronomists, and researchers. The pupae-busting trial highlighted the value of visual tools—such as emergence cages that reveal unseen parasitoids—to stimulate reflection and build understanding of pest ecology among growers and researchers alike. The approach achieved meaningful engagement and demonstrated that successful outcomes can be delivered through the process of acting and learning together.

The conference welcomed more than 220 delegates from every Australian state and territory, as well as from across New Zealand, the Pacific, the United States and further afield. With 80 presenters spanning all agricultural industries, participants—from newcomers to those with 50 years’ experience—embodied the spirit of shared learning that drives effective extension practice.

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