New knowledge on pests and beneficials in grains

New knowledge on pests and beneficials in grains

Published: 12 Oct 2020

In Australia, despite a desire to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM ), the unpredictable nature of pest outbreaks and small profit margins result in reliance on insecticide applications.

A fundamental knowledge base across the pest management community, aimed at avoiding pest issues, combined with knowledge in specific areas that support the development of IPM approaches, is needed.

Pest and beneficial knowledge cards have been generated as a result of CSE00059, a GRDC invested project. It delivers new knowledge to improve the timing of pest management decisions in grain crops for grain growers.

It’s a step towards the provision of this fundamental knowledge base in a concise and accessible way, providing growers and advisers with new insights on the species that we previously had limited understanding of in Australia.

The project was undertaken by the CSIRO in partnership with:

  • cesar
  • NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI)
  • the South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI)
  • University of Melbourne
  • Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

Invertebrate pest

Invertebrate pest

Region found

Key monitoring period for pest

Crop hosts

Pasture/clover mite (Bryobia species)

Download knowledge card

Prefers Mediterranean climate in southern/mainland Australia (SA, Victoria, southern WA). Also recorded in Tasmania and Queensland

April - June

Canola, Cereals, Clover, Lucerne, Lupins, Vetch

European earwig

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Southern (Victoria & southern NSW & SA), Western (south-western WA)

April - October

Canola, Cereals, Chickpeas, Lentils, Lucerne & Lupins

Mandalotus weevils

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Parts of SA, Victoriaand southern NSW. Commonly reported in the Mallee

May - June

Beans, Canola, Cereals, Chickpeas, Lentils, Medics, Peas, Vetch

Black Portuguese Millipede

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Widespread throughout SA, Victoria, Tasmania and southern WA

May - June

Canola, Lucerne, Narrow-leaved lupin

Slaters (Pill bug, Common rough woodlouse)

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Widespread throughout Australia

May - June

Canola, Cereals, Legumes

Invertebrate beneficial

Invertebrate beneficial

Region found

Key monitoring period for beneficial

Crop/ pest hosts

Aphid parasitoid wasp

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All regions

Autumn - Spring

Cereals; parasitise Cabbage aphid,
Green peach aphid (GPA),
Turnip aphid, Russian wheat aphid (RWA)