Fall armyworm research, development and extension for horticulture
Latest news and updates
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Fall armyworm industry meeting in Lockyer Valley
Thirty growers and industry representatives attended the fall armyworm (FAW) industry meeting coordinated by the VG22006 project team at the Gatton Research Facility on 24 February 2026. The meeting addressed priority topics raised in previous industry discussions, including Provivi Pherogen mating disruption, pheromone trapping and egg monitoring, Bowen–Burdekin trial updates, NPV trials, Metarhizium research, insecticide resistance monitoring, and sweet corn varietal trial results. -
Evaluating the potential for vegetative-stage economic thresholds for fall armyworm (FAW) in sweet corn
For the widely grown sweet corn variety Garrison, no economic threshold could be established because plants experience significant yield and harvestability losses even with the shortest exposure to FAW during the vegetative stages. Infestations of one larva per plant for just one week during mid- to late-vegetative stages led to stunting, infertility, and poorly filled cobs. A longer infestation period of 3 weeks resulted in more severe impacts and almost total yield loss. -
Webinar: Strengthening Insecticide Resistance Management for Fall Armyworm Across the Region
How are industries around the world managing insecticide resistance in fall armyworm? Three experts from the US and Indonesia shared their knowledge and experience of managing FAW insecticide resistance with Australian industries and researchers at a webinar in December. -
Fall armyworm’s secret life on capsicum
Research led by Dr Trevor Volp, DPI Queensland, has investigated how Fall Armyworm and two other key caterpillar pests – namely cluster caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) and Helicoverpa armigera – infest capsicum during reproductive crop stages. The research explains what growers have observed with FAW in capsicum crops. Understanding these infestation patterns will help guide monitoring efforts and inform management decisions. -
Regional variation in the efficacy of fall armyworm pheromone-based lures in Australia
Macquarie University researchers led by Dr Vivian Mendez have achieved a significant milestone under the Hort Innovation project AS21000 “Effective fall armyworm pheromone blends for improved monitoring and population estimation in Australia”. Recently published in the Australian Grower (Summer 2025/26), researchers report that the performance of four commercially available lures (Chemtica, Pherolure, Tréce and Iscalure), used to monitor fall armyworm in Australia, differed.
FAW moth catches from pheromone traps
Bowen (North Queensland) FAW moth catches
Updated: 26 May 2026
The average pheromone trap catches recorded 59.5 moths (count per trap in a week).
FAW counts from pheromone traps set up at the Bowen Research Facility have increased with the crop season.
Gatton (South East Queensland) FAW moth catches
Updated: 5 May 2026
Various peak values have been recorded, most of which occur during the warm-weather season. Since the initiation of the trapping program, the highest number of male moths collected on traps was between January and February 2024.
Weekly moths catch: 3 / week
Tenthill (South East Queensland) FAW moth catches
Updated: 5 May 2026
A pheromone trap baited with Pherolure was deployed at Tenthill, Lockyer Valley, in February 2025 during the sweet corn growing season.
Weekly moths catch: 118 / week
