Hort Innovation has funded a new project Identifying potential parasitoids of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, and the risk to Australian horticulture (MT19015), which will examine potential parasitoids of fall armyworm and deliver extension materials to growers on how to effectively manage the pest.

This project is a multi-industry strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Melon, Nursery, Sweetpotato, Turf and Vegatable Funds.

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.

Further information can be found on this Hort Innovation webpage.