• Our Research
    • Research Strategy
    • Research Sites
    • Current Research Projects
    • Research Results
    • Research Collaborations
    • Research Resources
    • Seed Industry Research Centre
    Current Research
    Current Research
    Research Results
    Research Results
  • Resources
    • Biosecurity
    • Crop Action
    • Nutrient Management
    • Maize
    • Templates and Calculators
    • Podcast
    • Cereals
    • Weeds
    • Pests
    • Seeds
    • Diseases
    • News
    • Environment
    • Schools
    Podcast
    Podcast
    Environment and Compliance
    Environment and Compliance
  • Levies & Returns
    • Arable Crops Levy
    • Maize Levy
    • Cereal Silage Levy
    • Farmer Annual Return Form
    • Wholesaler Annual Return Form
    Levies
    Levies
    Annual Returns
    Annual Returns
  • Events
  • News
  • About Us
    • Governance and growers
    • Business Strategy
    • Our People
    • Careers
    • Growers Leading Change
    • Women in Arable
    • Arable Ys
    • Arable Kids
    • Arable Research Groups (ARGs)
    Our People
    Our People
    Growers Leading Change
    Growers Leading Change
  • Ask FAR AI
  • Weather
  • Log In
Ask FAR AI
Weather
Log In
  • Homepage
  • Resources
  • Fall Armyworm Response Update

Fall armyworm response update

Faw dots 3

Work continues to evaluate the degree of spread and the degree of risk posed by fall armyworm. 

The objectives of the current fall armyworm response are to:

  1. Understand the distribution of FAW within NZ using sector-led surveillance
  2. Effectively manage identified FAW populations, reducing the risk of a reservoir population growing at the start of next spring.
  3. Further understand FAW’s ability to persist in NZ and specific impacts to growers and taonga species

Biosecurity New Zealand had received 301 enquiries related to FAW as of 10 June 2022. There are now a total of 23 confirmed detections

  • 22 infested properties + 1 location of interest

Read Biosecurity NZ update here

History of incursion

An egg mass was found on 16 March 2022 in Tauranga on the outside of an Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) trap. This egg mass was submitted to Plant Heath Environment Laboratory (PHEL) and identified as the Unwanted Organism Fall armyworm (FAW) on 24 March 2022. Then, on 2 April 2022 mature caterpillars were found by a grower on volunteer corn in a paddock at Waikato.

Following the positive identification of FAW by PHEL on 11 April, the surrounding area was inspected by Biosecurity New Zealand, which identified FAW at a further property two kilometres away.

It is believed that the arrival of FAW in New Zealand was via wind-dispersal from the east coast of Australia, following a recent outbreak in that region combined with favourable win conditions facilitating transport over the Tasman Sea.

Related Resources

23 May 2025

M88: Using cover crops for weed management in maize grain systems

This Maize Update discusses key issues for consideration in the choice and establishment of over-winter cover crops, along with the results of a five-year trial at FAR’s Northern Crops Research Site which researched the potential for over-winter cover crops to suppress weeds in the following no-till maize grain crop.

Read more
23 May 2025

Fall armyworm update: 4 April 2025

Find out regional information on Fall armyworm as of April 4 2025.

Read more
23 May 2025

FAR Focus 17 - Maize weed management

This FAR Focus on maize weed management covers research on issues maize growers currently face, including; Herbicide resistance, problem weeds, herbicide options and on-farm biosecurity. 

Read more
23 May 2025

Blackgrass and fall armyworm levy update

Seed and Grain Readiness and Response Incorporated (“SGRR”) is a biosecurity entity for the arable sector. It was established in 2020 under the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity (GIA). It is currently collecting levies to cover the costs of the two biosecurity incursions, black grass and fall armyworm. 

Read more
23 May 2025

Fall armyworm update: 14 March 2025

Check out the latest fall armyworm update here. 

Read more
23 May 2025

Fall armyworm update, 14 February 2025

Current status: FAW populations continue to develop across New Zealand. Northland awaits the third main moth flight of the season, with the key time for scouting and decision-making approaching. Maize grain and sweetcorn growers should be particularly vigilant during this period.

Read more
23 May 2025

M87 Fall armyworm in New Zealand

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a highly invasive plant pest first detected in New Zealand in February 2022. Fall armyworm (FAW) larvae can feed on over 350 plant species and in New Zealand, the crops at most risk are sweetcorn and maize. This update outlines the pest's biology and behaviour and provides tips for identifying and managing fall armyworm in maize and sweet corn crops.

Read more
23 May 2025

UK maize experts visit

It was great to see 90 people at our NCRS maize field day last week. This day, along with a series of field events across the central North Island, introduced around 150 growers and industry reps to Jon Myhill and Kate Baker from the UK Maize growers Association. 

Read more
23 May 2025

Best Value Maize Field Day, Feb 2025

Booklet covers: UK maize; nitrogen management; changing the maize system; herbicide resistance and maize weeds, combine set up.

Read more
23 May 2025

Fall armyworm update: 31 January, 2025

Fall armyworm numbers continue to rise as the season progresses, with the top half of Northland in particular beginning to see levels that would require chemical intervention. Read more in this week's update.

Read more

Ask FAR AI

Discover the power of AI with Ask FAR. Our new intelligent tool provides instant, accurate answers to your questions by searching the vast resources on the FAR website and linking you to the original document for further information. It’s fast, easy and reliable.

Start Chatting
  • Research
  • Levies and Returns
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Schools
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

©2022 Foundation for Arable Research