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Detections of Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) on mainland Australia

 
old revision
Publication Date
Mon, 30 Mar 2020, 05:17
Last Updated
March 30, 2020, 5:17 a.m.
Report Number
AUS-97/1
Country
Australia
Pest Id
Spodoptera frugiperda - (LAPHFR)
Report Status
Preliminary
Hosts
Fall armyworm is a lepidopteran pest that feeds on more than 350 plant species. It preferentially feeds on cultivated grasses such as maize, rice, sorghum, sugarcane and wheat, but also attacks legumes, horticultural crops, cotton and other plants.
Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )
  • Present: but managed
  • Present: only in some areas
Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)
  • Present: not widely distributed and under official control
Geographical Distribution
Torres Strait, Queensland and Northern Territory
Summary

Fall armyworm was initially detected in traps on two islands in the Torres Strait (islands of Saibai and Erub) in late January 2020, these detections were previously reported to the IPPC. Further detections of the pest have been confirmed from traps and from maize crops in Queensland on the Australian mainland, including Bamaga (tip of Cape York) in early February; Gulf of Carpentaria, in mid-February; South Johnstone, Tolga and Lakeland in early March; and Bowen and Burdekin regions in mid-March 2020. Fall armyworm was also confirmed from traps in Katherine, Northern Territory in late March 2020.

After assessment of the pest’s biology, the widespread nature of detections, and the available tools for eradication; it is unlikely that fall armyworm will be technically feasible to eradicate. However, the final consideration by Australia’s decision-making body for national exotic plant pest eradication is still pending.

All levels of Government and Industry will work together to ensure appropriate management options are available to growers and identify research priorities.

Danger
Torres Strait, Queensland and Northern Territory
Contact for info
Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 [email protected]
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