Detections of Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) on mainland Australia

 

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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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