Managing fall armyworm in vegetable crops – a project snapshot
18 June 2025Fact sheet: onion fly
20 June 2025Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) was first detected in Northern Australia in February 2020 and its establishment caused economic losses to sweet corn and maize. We used Participatory Action Research (PAR) methods to co-develop and deliver the best management options (BMOs) for the sweet corn industry and valuable information for other crops.
Various extension methods combined with three FAW BMOs demonstrations in sweet corn were delivered. A total of 402 vegetable industry participants and service providers engaged in the project. Over 60% rated the field day as a useful resource for engaging, sharing, learning, and accessing BMOs.
Surveys showed that the PAR improved the participant’s knowledge of pest biology and natural enemies, skills in FAW diagnostics, and changed pest management practices. It indicates regular crop monitoring and choosing appropriate insecticides with targeted applications to eggs and larvae can improve FAW control and minimise insecticide resistance development.