The Queensland Government has announced the launch of the new FAW engagement eHub for growers dealing with fall armyworm (FAW). The new engagement hub features information, updates, events, and resources to help manage fall armyworm.
Fall armyworm is a tropical migratory pest that is predicted to be present all year in warmer places and for a portion of the year in temperature zones.
In Australia, fall armyworm has been mainly drawn to grass species having whorls, such as sweet corn,
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said that since the exotic plant pest arrived in far north Australia in early 2020, it has spread across much of the country’s south, west, and east.
“As part of providing better services to industry, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is leading research and extension through Queensland Government and Hort Innovation-funded projects to co-develop an integrated FAW management strategy,” Minister Furner stated.
In a statement, Minister Furner further explained that the strategy involves field surveys and monitoring, control strategies, new techniques, compiling a literature review, and economic risk analysis for horticultural crops in Australia.
“We have developed the eHub to share the outcomes of this work, including regular video and results updates from demonstration sites, event information, moth activities, insecticide resistance results, and to allow growers to engage in discussion,” he added.
