Pest risk modelling warning for old world bolworm borne out In July, the South East Farm Press reported that a male Helicoverpa armigera (old world bollworm) adult had been detected in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey survey in Florida.  [Latest reports have updated this to three adult male moths trapped].  This species poses a threat to a very wide range of […]
The International Pest Risk Mapping Workgroup is pleased to announce the release of its latest product, âPest Risk Modelling and Mapping for Invasive Alien Species.â (more…)
Helicoverpa armigera larva in maize (Photo Tek Tay, CSIRO)
Helicoverpa armigera has recently been discovered in South America.  It has since been tracked spreading into the Caribbean.  Pest risk modelling has revealed that most of the US crop production may be at some degree of risk from this pest, which has developed resistance to most pesticides.  The rapid northward spread in the Americas suggests that it is now a matter of when, rather than if it will invade the USA.  The pest risk research has been published in PLOS One.
The current and potential distribution of Helicoverpa armigera
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 has been detected in Queensland, Australia. Â In a blow to lovers of Cavendish bananas, this devastating vascular soil borne disease of bananas has been discovered in Tully, North Queensland, Australia. Â This news is particularly difficult for Queenslanders to accept, as they are affectionately known within Australia […]
Myrtle Rust, caused by Puccinia psidii s.l. has been detected in Tasmania, Australia. Â Also known as Guava or Eucalypt rust, this pathogen has an extremely wide host range, focused on the Myrtaceae. Â There have been a number of pest risk analyses prepared and published by our members. Â One of these indicated that parts of Tasmania […]