NSW DPI’s Dr Lisa Bird is starting a new project on insecticide resistance to focus on pests where and when needed. Resistance surveillance will continue to provide industry with evidence-based resistance frequency data and testing will be prioritised for pests and insecticides identified as emerging issues for industry and/or at heightened risk of resistance development.
CRDC has a long history of working NSW DPI in resistance monitoring programs, previously undertaken by Dr Grant Herron.
“We would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution Grant has made to our knowledge and success in managing resistance,” CRDC R&D Manager Susan Maas said.
“While insecticide resistance remains a serious threat, the industry has consolidated our efforts for insecticide resistance monitoring.
“Lisa will continue her work monitoring Helicoverpa, while adding a range of pests to her project including mites, mirids and aphids.
“Dr Jamie Hopkinson of QDAF is still monitoring and testing resistance in silverleaf whitefly.
“It is hoped the change to a risk assessment-based approach delivers efficiencies in our testing and monitoring, allowing a focus on where the need is greatest – as opposed to testing every pest and every insecticide every year.”
Lisa will continue working with CRDC, GRDC and the grains industry to address growing resistance levels in Helicoverpa in pulses. Results from the industry-wide resistance surveillance program have shown levels of resistance to indoxacarb in H. armigera have increased in areas of Central and Northern Queensland. Resistance surveillance monitoring and detection of early-stage resistance in grains will increase preparedness in the cotton and horticulture industries. Growers and consultants with any concerns about resistance should contact Lisa.
This article appears in the Summer 2019-20 edition of CRDC's Spotlight magazine.
