What’s eating your crop?

Insect attack on newly emerging crops is again causing headaches for farmers across the region. Some badly affected canola crops have had to be re-sown and others have been sprayed twice already with insecticide. As a consequence of such early insect pressure, it is absolutely imperative that farmers can identify the pests in their paddocks in order to determine the best control strategy. Some of the insects that are being found at the moment include Lucerne Flea, Blue Oat Mite and Red Legged Earth Mite as well as some newly emerging populations of weevils!

Pest Identification will be one of the key features of the BCG “Changing Climate - Changing Practices” Grains Research Expo being held in Birchip on Thursday 3^rd July. Farmers will be able to talk to Dr Ken Henry and Dr Judy Bellati from SARDI crop entomology unit about any insect issues on their farms. The Expo will provide the perfect opportunity for farmers to bring along any insects or pests that they might be having trouble identifying or insects they would like to confirm the identity of. Judy and Ken will have microscopes set up on site to help with the identification process.

At the Expo, Ken and Judy will also be encouraging local farmers to sign up to a more in-depth pest identification and information newsletter that is produced throughout the growing season, called PestFacts.

BCG suggests that in the meantime farmers get out into their paddocks and see what they can find. Red legs mean mites are more easily seen against a black background; farmers are encouraged to take a black meat tray into the paddock with them. The black background can also help to distinguish between blue- oat mite, which has a red spot on its back, and RLEM. Lucerne Feas are often mistaken for aphids. Lucerne Flea will jump when you touch them rather than flying.

“Having access to such fantastic insect identification skills with Judy and Ken is very timely. BCG encourages all farmers to catch up with them at the upcoming BCG Grains research Expo”, said Fiona Best, BCG’s Extension Manager.

For more information contact the BCG office on 03 5492 2787.