Biosecurity Queensland staff have discovered an invasive moth pest with the potential to cause major damage to crops.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner said the discovery of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in the Torres Strait showed just how critical it was for everyone to play their role in protecting Queensland’s critical agricultural production and environment.
“Fall armyworm feeds in large numbers on more than 350 plant species, causing major damage to economically important cultivated grasses such as maize, rice, sorghum, sugarcane and wheat, and also to other horticultural crops and cotton,” Mr Furner said.
“Those industries support thousands of Queensland jobs so it is vital that we work together to ensure it is eradicated.”
He said Biosecurity Queensland was working with other Australian Governments and industry groups to manage the threat.
General Manager Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity at Biosecurity Queensland, Mike Ashton said fall armyworm had been found on Erub and Saibai islands.
“The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy has advised Biosecurity Queensland that seven specimens of the pest were found in late January in traps set on the islands,” Mr Ashton said.
He said fall armyworm larvae (pictured) were most active during late summer and early autumn months but could be active year-round in tropical areas.
“Fall armyworm larvae are light coloured with a larger darker head,” Mr Ashton said.
“As they develop, they become browner with white lengthwise stripes and also develop dark spots with spines,” he said.
“Adult moths are 32-to-40 millimetres in length wing tip to wing tip, with a brown or grey forewing and a white hind wing.”
