Fall armyworm research, development and extension for horticulture

In response to industry concerns over fall armyworm (FAW), Agriculture Victoria brought together 17 agronomists from Victoria’s grains, dairy fodder and horticulture sectors for a workshop in Tatura on 23 October. The event was supported by the National fall armyworm innovation system for the Australian vegetable industry (VG22006) project, National Vegetable Extension Network (VegNET) and the Maize Association of Australia, and provided up-to-date knowledge on FAW management for local growers who are shifting towards FAW-susceptible crops like maize and vegetables.

With many growers in the Goulburn Valley transitioning away from traditional tree crops, interest in pest management has increased, particularly around FAW, which poses significant risks. Although Agriculture Victoria has received unofficial reports of FAW, no samples have been confirmed, highlighting the need for accurate identification and pest readiness.

Insights and strategies from Queensland

The workshop was led by Dr Melina Miles, a principal entomologist with Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Alongside speakers from AUSVEG Vic’s VegNET regional development officer (RDO) and the Maize Association of Australia, Dr Miles provided practical insights on FAW identification, crop vulnerabilities, and effective control methods, sharing Queensland’s expertise with Victorian agronomists. Participating agronomists contributed their local knowledge to an annual crop calendar highlighting the sequence and number of FAW-susceptible crops grown in the region.

New monitoring technologies

Danielle Park, VegNET RDO with AUSVEG Vic, highlighted the opportunity for local involvement in the Fall Armyworm National Surveillance project, which is being led at the national level by Bowen Gumlu Growers Association in partnership with AUSVEG and funded through the VegNET Innovation Fund.

Designed to monitor FAW moth populations using RapidAIM devices across Australia’s largest horticultural regions, including Victoria, the project aims to provide crucial data to assist growers to plan and implement effective management strategies.

RapidAIM is a technology designed to streamline pest-monitoring, reduce labour, and improve data reliability. Attendees were interested in RapidAIM’s potential to provide real-time pest tracking and raised questions about non-target captures and how the data generated could be used to improve in-crop management. Liz Mann from the Maize Association of Australia highlighted the use of bucket traps for FAW, prompting further discussion on using Helicoverpa traps to monitor multiple pests simultaneously.

Hands-on learning and practical identification

A workshop highlight was the hands-on session with live FAW and Helicoverpa larvae from the Queensland DPI colony. Participants were able to compare the key features of the two species that commonly occur together in crops, testing their identification skills. Dr Miles emphasised the importance of accurate identification, as misidentification can lead to ineffective or unnecessary treatments. The session also covered insecticide resistance, with Dr Miles noting and emphasising that synthetic pyrethroids (SPs), often used to control native armyworms in winter cereals and pastures, may be ineffective against FAW.

Looking ahead

Participant satisfaction level with the workshop was rated 9.5 out of 10, with attendees praising the speakers’ expertise and the interactive format. Participants expressed interest in reconvening next year to review data from pheromone traps and discuss evolving FAW dynamics. Through initiatives like this, Agriculture Victoria and the VG22006 FAW extension project continue to empower agronomists with resources and knowledge to address FAW, supporting resilient pest management across Victoria’s agricultural sectors.

Image: Dr Melina Miles from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries shares fall armyworm experiences with the agronomists in Tatura, Victoria.