Co-developing and extending integrated Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) management systems for the Australian vegetable industry

Abstract

From 2021 to 2023, this investment supported the vegetable industry in managing fall armyworm by developing a strategy for affected regions and regions that may experience an incursion in the future.

The program improved the vegetable industry’s understanding of fall armyworm biology and seasonal patterns, minimised the use of ineffective chemistries and provided information on new generation chemistries, improved understanding of endemic natural enemies of fall armyworm and increased knowledge of the insecticide resistance levels of fall armyworm.

The project team used a collaborative approach to bring together knowledge and experience in managing fall armyworm across industries. It developed a communications and extension strategy to increase fall armyworm knowledge and deliver the latest information to industry.

The project team consulted the sweetcorn industry in Queensland to document current fall armyworm control measures and, based on these findings, designed two best management options for sweetcorn and field tested in Bowen. The constant pressure of fall armyworm required intensive monitoring and timely application of control measures to avoid significant crop losses. The outcomes were discussed with industry for designing large-scale demonstration sites.

Fall armyworm best management options were co-developed in consultation with industry agronomists and private companies. Three sweetcorn demonstration sites were established at the DAFQ Research Facility Bowen to demonstrate the best management options. The sites showed the best-performing chemistries, seed treatments, releases of beneficial insects, impact of fall armyworm on crop phenology, spray application methods, and preferred industry varieties. The commercially available egg parasitoid for heliothis and ladybird beetles for aphids were released using a drone. A larval parasitoid (Cotesia sp.) was also released against fall armyworm.

A co-design workshop was held in Brisbane to develop a shared goal for fall armyworm management for the Australian vegetable industry and to identify the RD&E objectives required to achieve the goal. Fifteen participants representing sweetcorn companies, industry bodies and government agencies attended the workshop. The workshop team developed four industry-oriented objectives for achieving sustainable area-wide management of fall armyworm for Australian vegetables.

Two new horticulture-focused communications channels – the fall armyworm newsletter and fall armyworm engagement hub (eHub) - were launched nationally to update the industry with the latest information on fall armyworm research, development and extension.

In addition, the project team delivered fall armyworm information and research across the Australian vegetable industry through presentations at project and industry meetings, webinars, demonstration sites and field days, fall armyworm management guides, conferences and workshops, and industry magazines. The project has updated the compendium of fall armyworm RD&E projects and activities currently undertaken in Australia.