Watch out for DBM
Growers are being reminded to monitor crops for outbreaks of diamondback moth (DBM). Ian McMaster, Practices Project Manager at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), said it was vital for growers to stay on top of their mid-season monitoring programs. “DBM outbreaks can be devastating to canola crops so growers must keep their monitoring programs going at this time of the year,” Mr McMaster said. “The adults are active at dusk and throughout the night, but usually do not move far within a crop. However, they are capable of long distance migration on prevailing winds, especially when host plant material has died off and the moths have to disperse to survive. Larvae cause crop damage and wriggle when disturbed, often dropping from the plant on a silken thread. Changing weather conditions can impact dramatically on DBM populations and abundance so growers must keep watch.” A factsheet with more details about managing DBM outbreaks can be found at www.grdc.com.au/pestlinks.