The Management of Insect Pests in Australian Cotton: An Evolving Story

Abstract

The Australian cotton industry progressively embraced integrated pest management (IPM) to alleviate escalating insecticide resistance issues. A systems IPM approach was used with core principles that were built around pest ecology/biology and insecticide resistance management; together, these were integrated into a flexible, year-round approach that facilitated easy incorporation of new science, strategies, and pests. The approach emphasized both strategic and tactical elements to reduce pest abundance and rationalize decisions about pest control, with insecticides as a last resort. Industry involvement in developing the approach was vital to embedding IPM within the farming system. Adoption of IPM was facilitated by the introduction of Bt cotton, availability of selective insecticides, economic validation, and an industry-wide extension campaign. Surveys indicate IPM is now embedded in industry, confirming the effectiveness of an industry-led, backed-by-science approach. The amount of insecticide active ingredient applied per hectare against pests has also declined dramatically. Though challenges remain, pest management has transitioned from reactively attempting to eradicate pests from fields to proactively managing them year-round, considering the farm within the wider landscape.

Insecticide resistance status of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Australian cotton production valleys

“…Pyriproxyfen resistance has become widespread despite the implementation of an IRMS that restricts its usage to a single application per field per season (Wilson et al ). A similar situation occurred in Israel where resistance to pyriproxyfen developed within 5 years, but in that case, the B. tabaci MED species was implicated (Horowitz et al ).…”

Escalating insecticide resistance in Australian grain pests: contributing factors, industry trends and management opportunities

“…Several IRMSs are currently used in Australia. The most widely adopted by farmers is the Cotton IRMS, which is regionally adapted and includes multiple pests . More recently, IRMSs have been developed specifically for the grain industry, but these are species‐specific, covering M. persicae , H. destructor , P. xylostella and H. armigera (https://ipmguidelinesforgrains.com.au).…”

“…If farmers were able to rely more on beneficial arthropods, fewer insecticide applications would be needed, reducing selection pressures. The success of the Australian cotton IRMS has in part been realized through increased reliance by farmers on biological control . Beneficial arthropods are encouraged through decreasing the frequency of insecticide applications and increasing their selectivity, as well as providing refuge habitat (e.g.…”

“…For example, resistance guidelines might be better packaged as part of an overall IPM program rather than communicating IRMSs as discrete plans, leaving the integration into existing management approaches up to the individual farmer (or farm advisor). Lessons can be gleaned from the Australian cotton industry, which has an IMRS that is communicated through a fully integrated and enduring ‘one‐stop‐shop’ web and training resource, coordinated by a consortium of research scientists, extension specialists, agronomists and agrichemical company representatives …”

“…The most widely adopted by farmers is the Cotton IRMS, which is regionally adapted and includes multiple pests. 36 More recently, IRMSs have been developed specifically for the grain industry, but these are species-specific, covering M. persicae, H. destructor, P. xylostella and H. armigera (https://ipmguidelinesforgrains.com.au). Each of these strategies is underpinned by principles relating to the judicious use of insecticides: (i) only applying chemicals when the pest infestation warrants it, (ii) avoiding the application of broad-spectrum formulations as much as is practical, and (iii)…”