• 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 Update 8 March 2024

Fall armyworm update, 8 March 2024

08 March 2024
Read PDF Online

Read here for the latest update on Fall armyworm as of the 8th of March 

Key points: 

There have been 106 confirmed reports in the 2023/24 growing season. These have come from Northland, Westland, Tasman, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Waikato and Marlborough.

• Northland FAW populations are generally small, with some localised areas of higher damage. Cosmopolitan armyworm (Mythimna separata) and corn earworm (Helicoverpa armigera) appear to account for severe crop damage to date. Reports of some larger FAW infestations have been received and will be confirmed soon.

• One FAW moth was caught in a pheromone trap in Gisborne this week. This is the second confirmed report in the region. A previous find appears to be under control with Sparta application deemed necessary.

• In the South Island, FAW has been found on the West Coast, Tasman and Marlborough. Most larvae have pupated and these are starting to emerge. 16 adult moths and many pupae were caught near Hokitika this week. Most crops are four to six weeks from harvest.

• Reports from Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Waikato are generally coastal, with low populations of FAW larvae causing serious damage to sweetcorn cobs and some light damage to maize grain crops. Most silage crops are being harvested and there have not been reports of any significant populations or damage.

• Suspect moths from Manawatū-Whanganui will be identified via DNA testing.

• We expect emerging generations to have greater numbers of larvae with the potential to cause significant damage.

• Please scout crops, especially at-risk later planted ones.

• Parasitism of FAW by the parasitic wasp Cotesia spp, is being observed across the country. Small FAW infestations appear to be kept in check by the wasp.

• Your observations are important. Please record them and inform us; without them, it is hard to validate and develop the modelling work we are doing.

• The insecticide Sparta® is on label for aerial and ground applications for controlling fall armyworm on maize and sweetcorn crops. Consult your advisor.

Read the full update here.

Downloads

  • FALL ARMYWORM UPDATE 8th March 2024 002 459.328 KB

Related Resources

22 May 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
22 May 2025

Fall armyworm update: 4 April 2025

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

Read more
22 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
22 May 2025

Fall armyworm update: 14 March 2025

Check out the latest fall armyworm update here. 

Read more
22 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
22 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
22 May 2025

Fall armyworm update, 17 January, 2025

FAW second generation begins. This update provides the latest regional findings, pest dynamics, and management recommendations.

Read more
22 May 2025

Fall armyworm update, 13 December 2024

Fall armyworm has been found at one property, in a sweetcorn crop near Nelson. Further finds have been confirmed in several locations across Northland. Contact your local agronomist for advice as local knowledge is key to effective management.

Read more
22 May 2025

Fall armyworm update 22 November, 2024

Fall armyworm finds have been confirmed in several locations across Northland, find out more in this fall armyworm update. 

Read more
22 May 2025

Fall armyworm update, 1 November 2024

Fall armyworm updates are back for the 2024/25 season. Read it here. 

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