On 18 September, eighteen agronomists and researchers from the horticulture, grain, and cane industries met at the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries (DAF) facility in Bowen to discuss sustainable area-wide management (AWM) of fall armyworm (FAW) in the Bowen-Burdekin region. The meeting addressed key topics, including biological control, insecticide resistance, management strategies, and FAW monitoring using pheromone traps and real-time data collection tools.
Participants shared their observations on the significant FAW influx earlier in the year, suggesting that high rainfall, the presence of a green bridge, and Queensland cyclones could have contributed to the rise in FAW populations. Dr John Stanley highlighted that cooler months in June and July resulted in reduced FAW catches in pheromone traps and lower FAW incidence in crops. Others agreed and said that minimal or no pesticide applications were needed during the cooler period. Dr Stanley also shared findings from NSW DPIRD showing there has been no shift in insecticide resistance in Queensland FAW populations since testing began in 2022.
The latest research into pheromone lures and the use of trap catch data was presented by Dr Stanley and Macquarie University researcher Dr Vivian Mendez. Dr Mendez is leading a project to improve the efficacy of pheromone blends and FAW monitoring across Australia. VegNET regional development officer Luke Jurgens also provided an update on the rollout of real-time FAW monitoring tools in the Bowen/Burdekin region. This initiative is part of a new national VegNET project with the northern Queensland region led by the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association. The participants discussed the importance of accessing FAW moth data across the region for understanding and managing pest populations at an area wide scale.
In the afternoon, agronomists visited field demonstrations on pupae busting and biopesticides that are in the ground at the Bowen site. The demonstration blocks have been established by Dr Stanley, Dr Melina Miles, Dr Ian Newton, and Dr Ramesh Puri to address questions from the local industry about the potential efficacy of these tools in managing FAW. They also looked at the push-pull research trial established by Dr Melina Miles as part of the Hort Innovation funded project VG23006 Management options for reducing the reliance on insecticides for fall armyworm in sweet corn. It’s still early days for these demonstrations and trials, and the industry will be invited back for another look in October-November.
The meeting was hosted by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) and National Vegetable Extension Network (VegNET) and facilitated by Ramesh Puri (Extension officer, DAF) and John Stanley (Entomologist, DAF).
This meeting is part of the project VG22006 National fall armyworm innovation system for the Australian vegetable Industry.
The videos are from Fall armyworm events and field activities.