Urgent Alert: Fall Armyworm Threat to North Coast and Hunter Regions

Local Land Services (LLS) is issuing an urgent advisory for farmers in the North Coast and Hunter regions to closely monitor their pastures and forage crops for signs of Fall Armyworm (FAW) infestation. This invasive pest has recently begun to cause substantial damage across these areas, threatening a broad spectrum of agricultural industries.

Background and Current Impact: Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), frst detected in NSW in 2020, has rapidly expanded its presence across several regions including the North Coast, Northern Tablelands, North West, Hunter, Greater Sydney, South East, Central West, Riverina, and Murray. Initially identifed in summer crops, the pest has shown a preference for oats but has also moved to other crops such as ryegrass, kikuyu, and clover, while sparing chicory. According to Donna Cuthel, Senior Plant Biosecurity Offcer at North Coast LLS, winter species like ryegrass have been severely impacted, chewed down to ground level and are unlikely to recover, although kikuyu may show resilience.

Challenges in Control: The proliferation of the Fall Armyworm has outpaced the control capacity of natural predators, and options for chemical or biological interventions are limited. This has prompted LLS to provide targeted management advice and strategies for dealing with the pest. Webinar and Supportive Measures:

LLS is proactive in equipping farmers with necessary information and will host a webinar on May 21st to discuss the lifecycle of FAW, identifcation techniques, and current control options. The recent six months have provided ideal conditions for FAW breeding, but with the onset of cooler weather, their development slows, offering a strategic advantage in managing their spread. During this period, it is critical for farmers to revisit and inspect felds regularly to assess the severity of infestations and decide the appropriate course of action.

Farmers are advised to remain vigilant and participate in the upcoming webinar to stay informed about the latest research and effective strategies for controlling FAW. For more details on the webinar and to register, please visit www.lls.nsw. gov.au/events.

Key

Recommendations:

• Regularly inspect crops for early signs of FAW infestation.

• Attend the LLS webinar for up-to-date information and management strategies.

• Evaluate the necessity of treatment based on thorough feld inspections and expert guidance. By staying informed and prepared, farmers in affected regions can better manage the threat posed by the Fall Armyworm and minimize its impact on their livelihoods and the agricultural economy.