Aphids can cause substantial damage to cereals, oilseeds and legumes through direct feeding and through the transmission of plant pathogenic viruses. Aphid-resistant varieties are only available for a limited number of crops. In Australia, growers often use prophylactic sprays to control aphids, but this strategy can lead to non-target effects and the development of insecticide resistance. Insecticide resistance is a problem in one aphid pest of Australian grains in Australia, the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). Molecular analyses of field-collected samples demonstrate that amplified E4 esterase resistance to organophosphate insecticides is widespread in Australian grains across Australia. Knockdown resistance to pyrethroids is less abundant, but has an increased frequency in areas with known frequent use of these insecticides. Modified acetylcholinesterase resistance to dimethyl carbamates, such as pirimicarb, has not been found in Australia, nor has resistance to imidacloprid. Australian grain growers should consider control options that are less likely to promote insecticide resistance, and have reduced impacts on natural enemies. Research is ongoing in Australia and overseas to provide new strategies for aphid management in the future.
The high levels of resistance occurring in Western Australia have caused considerable economic losses due to ineffective chemical applications and mortality of crop plants at seedling establishment. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive resistance surveillance programme to be developed for H. destructor within Australia. Growers need to consider non-chemical approaches for pest control and should be encouraged to implement pesticide resistance management programmes for H. destructor.
Grain crops in southern Australia are subject to attack by countless pests, with greater than 40 invertebrate species threatening seedling establishment. Control tactics for crop establishment pests rely heavily on the application of pesticides, especially in canola, which is the most susceptible crop to invertebrate damage. There is genuine interest in integrated pest management (IPM) among growers, but relatively little adoption of classical IPM in broadacre farming in southern Australia. The driving forces behind the lack of adoption are unknown, although over-reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides – which are inexpensive and often applied prophylactically as a means of negating the need to monitor crops – is undoubtedly a key factor. Recent control failures against important pests due to pesticide resistance, increased restrictions on pesticide applications, environmental concerns about pesticide applications and strong support for grain quality assurance programs by exporters, highlight the need to consider IPM principles as a means of reducing chemical inputs. IPM guidelines for broadacre farming systems are limited in scope and there is a need to develop practical management tools that encompass a whole system approach. This paper provides an overview of the main invertebrate pests affecting crop establishment and identifies gaps hindering the wide-scale adoption of IPM.
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