AN UPCOMING event at Agriculture Victoria's Tatura SmartFarm will provide attendants with awareness of Fall armyworm (FAW), and the possible impacts in a changing climate for horticulture and grain crops, on Wednesday, 23 October from 9 to 11am.
Agriculture Victoria Horticulture Program Coordinator Scott Botten said FAW is now considered established in Australia after being found in Western Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales and a single location in East Gippsland in December 2020.
Fall armyworm is a highly invasive and destructive caterpillar native to tropical and subtropical regions, however, has recently been sighted in the colder areas of Victoria.
It is not yet known if FAW will be able to persist over winter.
"Fall armyworm is known to feed on more than 350 plant species, including maize, cotton, rice, sorghum, sugarcane, wheat and many other vegetable and fruit crops," Mr Botten said.
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"Young caterpillars feed on leaves, creating pinholes and giving a tattered appearance.
"Meanwhile, mature caterpillars can cause extensive damage by grazing on leaf stems and trunks and tunnelling into fruit."
Mr Botten said numbers of the pest can increase quickly due to their fast reproductive cycle.
Adult moths are capable of flying long distances and can also be spread via storm events.
The information session will include:
• AUSVEG Onside Project
• RapidAim pilot
• QLD FAW update
• FAW identification (hands on)
• status of insecticide resistance in FAW
• crop monitoring and management of FAW
• Q&A session.
Date: Wednesday, 23 October
Time: 9 to 11am, morning tea is included
Location: Agriculture Victoria SmartFarm Tatura, 255 Ferguson Road, Tatura.
Speakers include:
• Rosalie Daniel, Biosecurity Coordinator, AUSVEG
• Danielle Park, Regional Development Officer, VegNET Victoria
• Dr Melina Miles, Principal Entomologist, QDAF, Toowoomba.
For more information or if you need assistance with registration, please contact Scott Botten at Agriculture Victoria on 0499 413 423 or at scott.botten@agriculture.vic.gov.au
