Fall armyworm research, development and extension for horticulture

Twenty-four growers, agronomists, researchers, and service providers met at the Bowen Research Facility to share updates and strengthen collaboration on fall armyworm (FAW) management. Facilitated by Dr Ramesh Puri (Extension officer, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, QDPI), the session combined research findings with local field experiences.

Key Highlights

• Growers reported that FAW pressure was unusually high in the Burdekin but low in Bowen, reversing expected patterns. Sweet corn was heavily targeted, while capsicum crops were largely unaffected. Bowen pheromone trap data
• Dr John Stanley (entomologist QDPI) presented updates on cultural and biological control strategies:
  • Pupae-busting can reduce FAW moth emergence by up to 80% with inter-row cultivation and 40% with shallow scarification. Growers highlighted labour, cost, and timing as practical limitations to adoption. Read more in the AUSVEG spring magazine 2025.
  • The Metarhizium rileyi biopesticide is showing promise, with trials underway across seasonal conditions to refine application rates and formulations, while commercialisation pathways progress.
  • A brief study in Bowen compared automated and manual pheromone traps, and the results showed they lined up well, with both recording similar moth numbers.
  • Contribution of natural parasitoids (for example: tachinid flies, braconid, and ichneumonid wasps) in suppressing FAW.
• Dr Stanley also discussed a new project activity to deliver an Insecticide Resistance Management Strategy (IRMS) for vegetables to establish a national baseline of resistance and guide sustainable management. Recent monitoring shows no significant increase in FAW resistance to key insecticides (chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, spinetoram, indoxacarb). Find more on FAW insecticide resistance surveillance.
• Dr Trevor Volp (entomologist QDPI) reported on FAW host-plant specificity and population ecology, using stable isotope techniques to identify which crops are generating FAW populations. He also presented findings of FAW infestations in capsicum crops.
• The study showed that FAW moths collected during 2023/24 originated from varied crops. In southern QLD, more moths were mostly C3-derived (from broadleaf crops), while in Bowen (2022/23), moths were mostly C4-derived (from grasses). Interestingly, Gumlu samples from June 2022 were 100% C3, showing how moth origins can shift across sites and times.
• In capsicum, Dr Volp reported that moths don’t prefer the crop, but larvae can survive if they land on capsicum plants. Caterpillars often enter fruits as very small larvae through the calyx or fruit apex. This is likely a spillover from nearby C4 grass hosts rather than moths specifically targeting capsicum. To manage this risk, he advised growers to pay close attention during the high-risk period after flowering by monitoring entry points on the fruit, to reduce spillover by controlling nearby grass hosts and weeds, and to consider chemical options where needed, with current permits available for Coragen/Shenzi (PER89259), Proclaim (PER89263), and Success Neo (PER89241).

• Dr Vivian Mendez (Researcher, Macquarie University) shared that the differences between northern and southern field sites in the attraction of fall armyworm and false armyworm to four commercial lures reflect regional patterns of seasonal abundance, with northern areas having year-round populations of both species and southern areas established seasonally by migration. The pheromone blends of wild fall armyworm populations in northern Australia differ from those in the south, supporting the hypothesis that established permanent populations differ from migratory populations. Dr Vivian added that they have developed region-specific pheromone blends for use in commercial lures throughout Australia. These blends are currently being tested in the field. More information on the project.
• Richelle Kelly (Regional development officer, VegNET/BGGA) noted RapidAIM sensors showed consistent FAW peaks across coastal QLD, while NSW and VIC recorded negligible numbers. Data continues to inform national movement patterns. Visit Fall Armyworm - RapidAIM for the regional reports.

The main challenges identified were achieving good spray coverage in fast-growing tropical crops, where dense canopies can limit effectiveness; the need for clear updates from insecticide resistance monitoring so growers can make informed decisions; and ensuring that monitoring tools, such as pheromone traps and sensors, remain reliable and valid through ongoing testing and improvement.

This shared approach underscores the importance of collaborative learning and integrated strategies in enhancing FAW management in the Bowen–Burdekin region and beyond.

The meeting was delivered as part of VG22006: National Fall Armyworm Innovation System for the Australian Vegetable Industry, funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable levy funds and co-investment from Department of Primary Industries Queensland, and Agriculture Victoria, in collaboration with the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) and the National Vegetable Extension Network (VegNET).