• 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
    • Cereals
    • Weeds
    • Pests
    • Seeds
    • Diseases
    • News
    • Environment
    • Soil
    • 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)
    • New Zealand Grown Grains
    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 Update 13 January 2023

Fall armyworm update 13 January 2023

Feature placeholder

Fall armyworm has been identified in South Island maize crops, taking the total number of finds since 1 September 2022 to 56.

There have been three confirmed finds of fall armyworm on the West Coast of the South Island. 

Early this week a find was confirmed in a paddock of maize near Hokitika, and since then other finds in the region suggest several maize crops are affected. 

Members of the FAR/SGRR team along with Dr Scott Hardwick from AgResearch/B3 visited the Hokitika property on Thursday 12 January to assess crop damage and the efficacy of control. We are very grateful to the grower and local rep for the swift reporting which raised this important alert.

 All maize growers, in the North and South Islands should be inspecting crops regularly. Control is easier and more effective if damage is identified at the early stages, before the fall armyworm larvae move into the plant whorl.

The photo above show visible damage in the plant whorl and an accumulation of frass (caterpillar faeces).

The maize plants are at the 8-10 leaf stage and the larvae present were large (instars 4-5), suggesting that some had already dropped to begin pupation. Well over 25% of plants were affected at the whorl stage, so the decision to spray was the correct one, based on the threshold guide from international data.

Corn earworm (Helicoverpa armigera) was also present in the in the crop. The pests can look similar, so if you have any doubts, photograph different specimens and send multiple pictures in to MPI.

Over 200 FAW traps deployed by the response group continue to be assessed throughout New Zealand. 

National fall armyworm data: as at Friday 13 January, MPI had received 117 enquiries since 1 September 2022. The total number of confirmed positives is now at 56, up 11 from last week. Three of these finds were on the West Coast of the South Island.

The insecticide Sparta (spinetoram 120g/L) is now on label for use on Fall Armyworm in maize and sweetcorn crops for ground applications.

Withholding periods

Maize:

Meat: DO NOT cut for feed, or graze animals intended for slaughter within 28 days after application.

Milk: DO NOT cut for feed, or graze lactating dairy animals producing milk for human consumption within 28 days after application.

Sweet corn:

Sweet corn stover can be grazed post-harvest.

Please contact your local advisor for details on the safe use of this insecticide.

Monitoring and field observations:

  • The models indicate that we can expect detections of moths during this week and the next – please continue to check traps and report online.
  • Growers and reps should be actively scouting for caterpillars on the crop, do not rely only on the moth catches from traps. As this is still an unwanted organism all findings must be reported to MPI: https://report.mpi.govt.nz/pest or using the app https://www.fi ndapest.nz/ , by email to FAW@mpi.govt.nz or by freephone 0800 80 99 66.
  • There are no negative consequences to growers for reporting, as this pest will not be controlled by removing crops.

Thresholds of economic damage

Plant Health Australia provides useful guidance for this:

For useful tools and guides on detection and identification consult FAR website for the latest identification guides https://assets.far.org.nz/blog/files/8a209e4b-4ca8-5338-af06-f3b80bab18e2.pdf and MPI Website www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/50839-Fall-armyworm-fact-sheet or contact Ivan Lawrie ivan.lawrie@far.org.nz


Related Resources

09 October 2025

Maize update 92: Mechanical weeding in maize

Maize is one of the easiest crops to mechanically weed and levels of weed control comparable to herbicides can be achieved. Find out more about the options available and how they work in this maize update.

Read more
09 October 2025

Maize update 91: Management options for specific weeds in maize

Weed related yield losses ranging from 15% to 56% for silage and 15% to 61% for grain have been observed in New Zealand maize systems. In this maize update find out management strategies for a number of common annual and perennial weeds of maize.

Read more
09 October 2025

Chlorpyrifos withdrawal

The Environmental Protection Authority (“EPA”) published a Notice of Direction Prohibiting the Use and Requiring Disposal of Chlorpyrifos Containing Substances in the New Zealand Gazette on 1 September 2025.

Read more
09 October 2025

Black-grass update

Growers are reminded to report any grass weeds that appear unfamiliar or could resemble black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides). Early reporting remains one of our strongest tools for protecting the industry.

Read more
09 October 2025

Maize Update 90 Maize pre-emergence herbicides and how best to use them

Pre-emergence herbicides have been the mainstay of maize weed management. This Maize Update discusses factors affecting pre-emergence herbicide success including application timing, modes of action and soil interactions. 

Read more
09 October 2025

Maize Update 89: On-farm biosecurity: Invasive weeds in maize systems and how to avoid them

Farmers face three levels of biosecurity risk; regional biosecurity incursion risk; border biosecurity, regional biosecurity and on-farm biosecurity. This Maize update discusses the importance of on-farm biosecurity, the one factor you have control over.

Read more
09 October 2025

Fall armyworm update: 17 April 2025

Keep up with the latest fall armyworm updates for the 2024/25 season, including regional updates and cultural control options for FAW.  

Read more
09 October 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
09 October 2025

Fall armyworm update: 4 April 2025

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

Read more
09 October 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

Ask FAR AI

Ask FAR is a new way to get information from the FAR website. Just ‘Ask FAR’ a question and you’ll get a quick, accurate response based on FAR research and resources. Ask FAR also provides links to the original documents for more information. It’s quick, easy and reliable. Ask FAR now!

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

©2022 Foundation for Arable Research