Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Adopt-A-Trap To Help Detect European Wasps, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Early detection of European wasp is important to prevent the spread and establishment of nests, and the Adopt-a-trap program is a key part of annual European wasp surveillance.

The department intensively traps the highest risk areas of the state, but the Adopt-a-trap program can extend surveillance beyond these areas and into the regions to enhance community surveillance.

The trapping method used in the Adopt-a-trap program is very successful in catching European wasps. They address the wasps’ sense of smell and foraging habits to find food. Trapped wasps are useful in alerting us to the presence of a nearby nest — …

Yellow Crazy Ant, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) are believed to be native to west Africa or Asia. They are not present in Western Australia (WA) and are prohibited.

Yellow crazy ants were first observed in Australia in the early 1900’s on the Cocos-Keeling Islands and Christmas Island, where they have now caused a massive decline in the population of iconic red crabs. More recently, they have been recorded in Queensland, the Northern Territory (NT), and New South Wales (NSW).

European Wasp: Declared Pest, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

The European wasp is one of the worst wasps in the world — harmful to people, outdoor lifestyles, and horticultural and agricultural industries. Early detection of wasp activity is critical to prevent the wasp establishing in Western Australia (WA). This is achieved via collaboration between residents, businesses, industry, and government.

European Wasp Information For Local Government, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

The department’s European wasp surveillance and eradication program is a yearly campaign, aimed at detecting the presence of this destructive pest as early as possible so that nests can be found and eradicated.

The continued success of European wasp surveillance and eradication program relies on surveillance in metropolitan Perth and regional areas, strong community awareness, and participation between residents, business owners, community groups, industry, and government.

Significance Of Honeybee Pollination In Increasing Seed Yield Of Trifolium Alexandrinum (Fabales: Fabaceae) And Its Impact On Economic Sustainability Of Smallholder Farmers, Muhammad Shoaib Tufail, Gaye L. Krebs, Alison Southwell, John Piltz, Peter C. Wynn, David F. Cook

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

A major limitation to producing high seed yields in berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is failure to set seed, predominantly due to lack of pollination. Despite the importance of berseem clover as a leading forage legume, the contribution of pollinators to seed set is scarce. In Pakistan, the honeybee population is declining mainly because of the extensive use of neonicotinoid pesticides and habitat fragmentation. This, combined with the region’s harsh environment and the use of inferior, locally bred genotypes, has resulted in low seed yields. Insufficient seed availability leads to limited forage supply, resulting in poor livestock nutrition, which …

Arthropod Arbiters: Natural Enemy Communities Mediate The Effects Of Landscape And Local-Scale Complexity On Lygus-Induced Crop Loss In Organic Strawberries, Adrian Lu, David J. Gonthier, Amber Sciligo, Karina Garcia, Taiki Chiba, Gila Juárez, Claire Kremen

Entomology Faculty Publications

Sustainable pest management requires growers and regional land managers to consider the relationships among pest management practices, pest and natural enemy communities, crop loss, and multi-scalar habitat complexity. However, the causal links among these variables, in particular potential interactions between landscape and local-scale habitat complexity, remain underexplored. In the context of organically managed strawberry crops in California’s Central Coast, we tested the independent effects of landscape and local habitat complexity gradients on arthropod communities and crop loss using a piecewise structural equation model (PSEM). We found that landscape-scale woody habitat proportion indirectly decreased crop loss through its positive effect on …

Insect Pests And Their Management In Oats, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Field pests

Damage from invertebrate pests is generally not a major factor for oat crops, however there is a zero tolerance to live pests in export hay.

Significant damage can occur if pest populations build up. Planning rotations to minimise pest carryover, timely sowing, adequate crop nutrition, and good control of weed and root diseases will assist in reducing the likelihood of crop damage by insect pests. Check crops regularly throughout their growth for field insects.

• Control redlegged earth mite and lucerne flea during the seedling stage if necessary.

• Aphids should be checked for and controlled from flag …

Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus And Its Management In Lupins, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) is an aphid-transmitted virus that commonly causes necrotic symptoms that kills lupin plants when infected early before pod set. When plants are infected after pod set, black pods develop (known as black pod syndrome).

BYMV is found predominantly in high rainfall areas of the Western Australian (WA) grainbelt. This page outlines the symptoms, diagnosis, factors favouring disease risk and spread, yield and quality impacts, and management for BYMV in lupin crops in WA

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus And Wheat Curl Mite And Their Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) is a seed and mite-borne virus that infects wheat, causing severe leaf symptoms and reduced yields. The symptoms and damage are more severe in wheat than other hosts, in which infection is symptomless.

Wheat streak mosaic virus can cause crop failure when widespread infection occurs in seedling wheat, particularly when a heavily WSMV-infected green bridge is not controlled before sowing an early crop, and warm temperatures favour mites.

Wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella) is the only known vector of WSMV. It can transmit the virus in its nymph and adult stages.

Armyworms And Their Management In Cereal Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Armyworms are pests of cereals crops. They are frequently found along the south coast of Western Australia and occasionally in other grainbelt locations.

When barley crops are maturing in spring, large armyworm caterpillars climb plants and can chew through the stems, causing the heads to fall to the ground. Damage to wheat and oat crops occurs less frequently and is usually minor compared to damage in barley. Armyworms are seldom a serious problem in pastures.

Aphid Feeding Damage And Its Management In Cereal Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Adult and nymph aphids suck sap from cereal crops, with large populations, especially in winter and spring, limiting grain yield and size. This page relates to feeding damage from oat aphid (Rhopalosiphon padi) and corn aphid (Rhopalosiphon maidis) in the absence of virus, and Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia).

Barley And Cereal Yellow Dwarf Viruses And Their Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDV) and cereal yellow dwarf viruses (CYDV) damage cereal crops worldwide. These yellow dwarf viruses infect wheat, barley, oats and grasses and are transmitted by aphids.

This page describes these collective yellow dwarf viruses (barley and cereal yellow dwarf viruses), which damage cereals crops and advises on their diagnosis, monitoring, and management the viruses in the Western Australian (WA) grainbelt.

Growers are encouraged to check cereal crops for aphids on a regular basis, especially early in the season during autumn when winged aphids migrate into cereal crops during the crops’ most vulnerable growth phase. Early detection …

Diamondback Moth And Its Management In Canola And Crop Weeds, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Diamondback moth larvae are a serious pest of canola, brassicas, and forage crops, and are difficult to control. The pest breeds up on summer weeds and volunteer canola plants. If there are abundant early rains and mild winters, diamondback moth larvae pose a risk to canola crops.

Russian Wheat Aphid And Its Management In Wheat And Barley, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Russian wheat aphid is found worldwide and has spread throughout all major grain growing countries. In Australia, Russian wheat aphid is present in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Western Australia, where it was first detected in 2020.

In Western Australia, Russian wheat aphid is found in low, medium, and high rainfall areas.

Presence of Russian wheat aphid in Western Australia is not an international trade issue and there are no trade implications for the grain industry, as bulk grain is not a host for Russian wheat aphid.

Managing Aphids And Viruses In Lupins, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Aphids reduce yields by direct feeding damage, which causes flower and pod abortion and occasionally plant death in lupins. The extent of damage varies between seasons, but losses can be severe in years that favour aphid population development.

Lupins are most vulnerable to aphids during budding and flowering, as severe feeding damage on growing tips can cause buds to drop, flowers to abort, and reduced pod set. Some lupin varieties are more susceptible to aphids than others.

Aphids transmit serious virus diseases, which reduce yields and contaminate seed stocks. Some species of aphids are more difficult to control than others.

Native Budworm Spraying Threshold, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

The number of native budworm caterpillars in a crop is the major factor determining potential economic damage from the pest. Table 1 was generated with results from department trials to provide an estimate of potential loss from native budworm damage.

Crop loss (kilograms per hectare (kg/ha)) for each caterpillar netted in 10 sweeps (or found per square metre (m2 )) is shown in Table 1. One caterpillar netted in 10 sweeps is equivalent to about 20,000 caterpillars/ha for most pulse crops, assuming an even distribution over the crop

Pastoral Grasses And Legumes As Potential Host Plants For Fall Armyworm Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) Development, Saleh Adnan, Holly Cattermole, Kim Saligari, Helen Spafford

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

The fall armyworm, Spodopterafrugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a highly polyphagous, migratory pest native to the tropical and subtropical region of Americas. Grass crops particularly corn have been most heavily impacted since S. frugiperda invaded Australia in 2020. In northern Western Australia, S. frugiperda is primarily a problem in dry season (May to October) crops when there are abundant host plants available in monocultures. During the wet season (November to April) it is not known what host plants may support larval growth and development. Accordingly, this present study undertook a no-choice feeding bioassay to assess larval and pupal …

Button Grass And Its Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) is a native species found throughout Australia. It is a common summer weed species that depletes soil moisture and nutrients, reducing the yield potential of the subsequent crop. It also acts as a green bridge for crop pests and disease.

The rapid emergence and growth of button grass after rainfall makes it important for the Australian plague locust.

It can be a valuable pasture species in arid areas, although overgrazing of button grass can result in toxicity for sheep and cattle.

Row Covers Limit Pests And Disease And Increase Profit In Organic Acorn Squash, Kathleen Fiske, Nieyan Cheng, Ryan Kuesel, Wendong Zhang, Ricardo Bessin, Mark A. Williams, David J. Gonthier

Entomology Faculty Publications

Organic cucurbit growers face many challenges to production including insect pests, insect-vectored diseases, and non-vectored diseases. While Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI) -listed pesticides underperform at suppressing pests and diseases, some alternative pest management strategies hold promise, but little research exists on their cost-effectiveness. We compared the efficacy of mesotunnel systems (nylon-mesh netting row covers deployed over bent metal hoops) and OMRI-listed pesticides (fungicides and insecticides) on acorn squash across 2 years. During the early part of the season, before row covers were removed for pollination, we found 1.7 (2020) and 0.3 (2021) times more cucumber beetles in the uncovered …

Shared Patterns Of Population Genomic Variation And Phenotypic Response Across Rapid Range Expansions In Two Invasive Lady Beetle Species, Angela G. Jones, John J. Obrycki, Arun Sethuraman, David W. Weisrock

Entomology Faculty Publications

Non-native lady beetle species have often been introduced, with variable success, into North America for bio- logical control of aphids, scales, whiteflies, and other agricultural pests. Two predatory lady beetle species, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata and Hippodamia variegata, both originating from Eurasia, were first discovered near Montreal, Quebec, in North America in 1968 and 1984, respectively, and have since expanded into northeastern North America and the midwestern United States. In this study, we estimate the range-wide pop- ulation structure, establishment and range-expansion, and recent evolutionary history of these lady beetle species using reduced-representation genotyping-by-sequencing via ddRADseq. In addition, we quantified the responses …

Hymenopteran Parasitoids Of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)) In Australia, With The Description Of Five New Species In The Families Braconidae And Eulophidae, Erinn P. Fagan-Jeffries, Melina M. Miles, Tareva-Chine C. Atkin-Zaldivar, Andy G. Howe, Siva Subramaniam, Donna M. Chambers, Frezzel Praise J Tadle, Saleh Adnan, Verni Sivasubramaniam, Alice Woodward, Helen Spafford, Brian Thistleton

Biosecurity Research Articles

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is an invasive pest of agricultural crops including sweet corn and maize. The moth was first recorded in Australia in January 2020 and is now considered established in most states and territories, and research is underway to develop management strategies. Extensive rearing of S. frugiperda larvae and eggs occurred from March 2020 to April 2023 to understand the parasitoid complex present in Australia and identify potential biological control agents. We report here on the hymenopteran parasitoids reared during this period, which were identified using a combination of morphology and COI DNA barcoding, and provide …

Cereal Rye Cover Crop Termination At Or Before Soybean Planting Has Minimal Effect On Soybean Yield Across The Midwestern Us, Tatiane Severo Silva, Spyridon Mourtzinis, Anthony Justin Mcmechan, Gabriela Inveninato Carmona, Bruce D. Potter, Kelley J. Tilmon, Louis S. Hesler, Nicholas J. Seiter, Robert Wright, Shannon L. Osborne, Thomas E. Hunt, Shawn P. Conley

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Context: Interest is growing among farmers in the Midwestern US region in the potential benefits of establishing cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) as a cover crop. However, they are concerned about the implications and potential trade-offs due to this practice. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of cereal rye cover crop termination at or before soybean planting on soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) seed yield. Methods: Field experiments were conducted from 2019 to 2021 across 28 location-years in the Midwestern US. Treatments consisted of no cereal rye, cereal rye termination before soybean planting, and termination at planting. …

First Record Of The Invasive Chenopodium Aphid, Hayhurstia Atriplicis (Linnaeus, 1761) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), In Colombia, Takumasa Kondo, Roberto Rosero, Jackeline Gaviria

Insecta Mundi

The chenopodium aphid, Hayhurstia atriplicis (Linnaeus, 1761) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is reported for the first time in Colombia. The aphid was found on the aerial parts of the quinoa plant, Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (Amaranthaceae), especially on the leaves, in five municipalities in the department of Cauca, Colombia. Brief information on its natural enemies, distribution and biology is provided. This is the only aphid in Colombia known to cause malformations on the leaves of quinoa plants. In South America, this aphid has been found previously only in Ecuador, where it was reported for the first time in 2023 based on specimens collected …

Impact Of Plant Defenses And Aphid-Associated Microbes In Modulating Sorghum–Sugarcane Aphid Interactions, Edith Ikuze

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a vital cereal crop globally, facing challenges from invasive pests such as the sugarcane aphid (SCA; Melanaphis sacchari). To elucidate mechanisms of sorghum resistance to SCA, we examined the role of plant defenses and the influence of aphid-associated microbes in modulating sorghum defenses. Lignin is a complex heterogenous polymer present in nearly all plant cell walls that plays a critical role in protecting plants from various stresses. In this study, we investigated the role of the caffeoyl coenzyme-A O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), one of the core enzymes in monolignol biosynthesis pathway that leads to lignin …

Predicting The Potential Distribution Of Pseudococcus Longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) In South Korea Using A Climex Model, Su Bin Kim, Soo-Jung Suh

Insecta Mundi

Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a widely-distributed pest that feeds on many economically important hosts, particularly tropical fruits and ornamentals. The potential distribution of this mealybug pest in South Korea remains a primary concern because of its high incidence of interceptions screened during inspection. Hence, this species prompted a modelling effort to assess its potential risk of introduction. Potential risk maps were developed for this pest with a CLIMEX model based on occurrence records under environmental data. The potential distribution of these pests in South Korea in the 2020s, 2050s and 2090s was projected based on the RCP 8.5 …

Providing Pest Management Education For Home Gardeners In Utah, Nick Volesky, Marion Murray

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

In January 2024, Utah State University (USU) Extension's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program launched a three-part class series targeting Utah's home gardeners. The goal was to enhance their abilities in identifying and managing insect and plant diseases. With over 200 participants, the series notably increased the knowledge of attendees. This initiative aligns with the USU Extension IPM program's mission to promote sustainable pest management practices across Utah, evidencing its commitment to environmental stewardship and community education.

Hilling As A Management Tactic And Tool For Understanding Soybean Gall Midge (Resseliella Maxima Gagné), Pragya Gupta

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima Gagné, SGM) emerged as a new species in the United States Midwest in 2019, causing injury to soybean (Glycine max L.) Infestation of R. maxima starts with females laying eggs in the fissures or cracks that develop at the base of soybean during the V2-V3 growth stage. The emerged larvae feed on the stem internally, leading to wilting and death of the plants. With knowledge gaps in biology and behavior, management strategies for this pest are challenging. Hilling is a cultural practice causing soil to cover the base of stems and is …

Pollinator Communities And Their Ecosystem Services At Conservation Grasslands And Adjacent Croplands, Araceli Gomez Villegas

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Pollinators are intrinsically linked to the success of unmanaged and managed ecosystems by providing pollination services that aid in the reproduction of wildflowers and many crops. Land use change, habitat loss, fragmentation, and related landscape-level phenomena (for example, increased pesticide exposure) threaten pollinators and have been associated with population declines. In the Midwestern region of the United States, land conversion of native prairies and grasslands to row-crop agriculture has been one of the largest contributors to pollinator habitat loss. Conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program, have worked towards removing environmentally sensitive lands from agriculture production and enrolling them …

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Wa Insecticide Guide 2024 - Autumn Winter, Rebecca Severtson, Svetlana Micic

PestFacts WA

Registered chemicals for broadacre crops in Western Australia.

The insecticides listed in the tables within this guide can be used on any crop appearing on the chemical label, if the rate used does not exceed the highest rate that is registered for use on that crop.

There are many products with different trade names that contain the same active ingredient. This list is not exhaustive and does not imply any specific recommendations of brand names.

Unless otherwise specified, all insecticides listed are emulsifiable concentrates (EC). Other insecticide formulations are suspension concentrate (SC), wettable powder (WP), capsule suspension (CS), wettable granules …