Katrina Thomas 29 Jan 2023 / Categories: National, Northland, Waikato-Hauraki-Coromandel, Adverse Events, Animal Welfare Checked your crops for Fall Armyworm? Strong surveillance will help stop Fall Armyworm spread The insect pest, fall armyworm has been reported in the North and South Islands, and with further spread likely, knowing how to identify and manage this pest can do a lot to help protect our industry. The fall armyworm is not a worm but a highly invasive moth that can threaten crops in its larvae stage. The larvae may do the damage, but the adult moths ensure the rapid spread of the pest. If pushed by winds, moths can fly up to 100km a day. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) arrived in New Zealand around February 2022, it is thought to have come from Australia. The moth is found around the world and is present in the Americas, Africa and Asia, and more recently has been found in Papua New Guinea, parts of Australia and now New Zealand. When checking your crops for fall armyworm: Know how to identify fall armyworm If you find eggs, moth or larvae, take a photo and: report it to MPI online; or call Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66; or email FAW@mpi.govt.nz. There are approved pesticides to manage fall armyworm which you can ask your agrichemical agent about. Read the latest updates on fall armyworm from the Foundation for Arable Research. Previous Article Fire Season Status Next Article Further support for upper North Island regions hit by significant weather Print 4632 Tags: Biosecurity
12Jun2024 National Fieldays - Mystery Creek, Hamilton, Waikato 12-Jun-2024 8:30 AM Read more National Fieldays - Mystery Creek, Hamilton, Waikato Fieldays is back for its 56th year in June 2024. Save the date, book your accommodation and we'll see you back here next year! Read more