Determining the economic impact of Native Budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera) in cereal crops in the Western Region

2021 - 2022

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Catherine Borger
Contact email dustin.severtson@dpird.wa.gov.au
Contact phone 04278 196 656
Year(s) 2021 - 2022
Contributor Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA
Trial location(s) Woorree, WA
Determining the economic impact of Native Budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera) in cereal crops in the Western Region locations
Aims

Native budworm actively feeding on cereals has not been an issue for growers or industry in the past, and considering the recent detections, growers and western region industry networks have voiced that they would like support on this issue, especially regarding sampling techniques and spray thresholds. To achieve this, we investigated this new behavioural trend and the population numbers required to cause economic yield losses to determine if and when management is required in non-traditional cereal hosts.

Through pheromone-based moth trapping, crop inspections, glasshouse trials and a field cage trial, we investigated the behaviour of H. punctigera moths and larvae on, and potential economic damage to, wheat in the northern grainbelt of Western Australia. 

Key messages
  • Native budworm moths frequently fly into wheat crops, but they are deterred from laying eggs on wheat plants.
  • Native budworm moths prefer to lay eggs on wild radish and (volunteer) lupins in wheat crops so weed control is a critical part of preventing damage to wheat.
  • Larvae prefer to feed on wild radish over vegetative (tillering) wheat but prefer to feed on wheat heads in advanced wheat over wild radish.
  • Larvae either starve to death or have reduced performance and smaller pupae when forced to feed on wheat, indicating that wheat is not a preferred host.
  • Thresholds for native budworm larvae in wheat are likely to be higher than 50 per 10 sweeps or 5 per square metre. 
  • At a density of 5 per square metre, larvae account for a yield loss of $1.71 per ha loss given a 2 tonne/ha crop valued at $360/tonne.
  • Field inspections of wheat crops during 2022 showed presence of both native budworm and armyworm, so it is important to identify species in the field.
Woorree WA 2021 Wheat

Wheat sown according to local agronomic practices then ten field cages installed to contain native budworm larvae.

Lead research organisation Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC DAW2107001RTX
Trial funding source DPIRD WA DAW2107001RTX
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Bec Severtson for extensive review of this report. Thanks to Mingenew Irwin Group (MIG) who collaboratively conducted the moth trapping and sweep netting surveillance during the two growing seasons. Thanks to the growers who provided access to their properties for moth trapping and crop inspections. Thanks to the DPIRD Geraldton Research Support Unit for providing the paddock of wheat for the field cage trial. This project was a co-investment by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).


Other trial partners Mingenew Irwin Group
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Cereal (Grain): Wheat Cereal (Grain): Barley Forage: Oats Grain Legume: Faba beans Grain Legume: Lupins Weed: Wild Raddish
Treatment type(s)
  • Adverse Effects Management: Other
  • Pest Management: Other Pests
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised

Woorree 2021 Wheat

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
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Woorree 2021 Barley

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Woorree 2021 Oats

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Woorree 2021 Faba beans

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Woorree 2021 Lupins

Sow date Not specified
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Woorree 2021 Wild Raddish

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Woorree 2022 Wheat

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Woorree 2022 Barley

Sow date Not specified
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Woorree 2022 Oats

Sow date Not specified
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Woorree 2022 Faba beans

Sow date Not specified
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Woorree 2022 Lupins

Sow date Not specified
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Woorree 2022 Wild Raddish

Sow date Not specified
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Plot size Not specified
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Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Woorree, WA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Woorree, WA Chromosol
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Woorree WA

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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2021 trial report



Trial last modified: 19-10-2023 12:29pm AEST