This project was established in early 2021 to examine potential parasitoids of fall armyworm and deliver extension materials to growers on how to effectively manage the pest. The research team will identify parasitoid species present in horticultural crops and provide recommendations on potential candidates for future biological control of fall armyworm, as well as local information on established locations, host range, infestation levels on horticultural crops and damage patterns.

Fall armyworm was reported in Far North Queensland early in 2020 and quickly spread to several locations in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Establishment of fall armyworm in these production areas has caused major concerns for the sweetcorn and vegetable industries. Within the short period from the detection of fall armyworm, significant crop damage (up to 50 per cent) was recorded in organic and conventional sweetcorn crops in the Bowen and Burdekin areas. Pheromone trapping results from affected production regions indicated that fall armyworm moth numbers were higher from May through August. The rapid rise in numbers has become a major threat to the existing integrated pest management practices adopted by the horticulture industry.

The research aims of this project are to:

Conduct a comprehensive literature review on fall armyworm parasitoids and biological control
Undertake an economic risk analysis for relevant horticultural crops in Northern Australia
Conduct field survey and crop samplings to study FAW host plants and its endemic parasitoids
Develop and deliver extension materials to assist growers.
The project team members located in key production areas of Queensland (Bowen, Burdekin and Mareeba), Western Australia (Kununurra and Broome) and Northern Territory (Darwin and Katherine) will conduct regular field surveys and crop samplings to study the host crops and endemic parasitoid fauna associated with fall armyworm.

The project team will then collaborate with locally based extension staff and through VegNet, the vegetable industry extension network also funded through Hort Innovation to deliver extension materials, including a factsheet, a guide for fall armyworm and its parasitoids and predators.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

• Vegetable Fund