There have been several new confirmations of fall armyworm added since the new year, taking the total finds to 45 since 1 September 2022. The new finds have all been in the north of the North Island.
Key Points:
New finds:
· There have been several new confirmations of fall armyworm added since the New Year, taking the total finds to 45 since 1 September 2022. The new finds have all been in the north of the North Island.
· There have been no new finds in regions outside of those affected in autumn 2022, but as the temperatures continue to rise, it is expected there will be finds in new areas. It is important to continue scouting and reporting to understand this pest’s movements.
Approval for insecticide use
The insecticide SpartaR (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 here, by using the app here, or 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:
More detail on this here.
It is also of key importance to report any negative finds. If you are scouting your crops and not finding any fall armyworm, it is valuable too. Send this in at faw@mpi.govt.nz.
For useful tools and guides on detection and identification consult FAR website for the latest identification guides here and MPI Website here or contact Ivan Lawrie ivan.lawrie@far.org.nz