Fall Armyworm information sessions for South Coast farmers

The insect pest is a serious threat to Australia's grain, cotton, horticultural and sugar industries but can also effect coastal crops as well.

The first session will be held in the Shoalhaven on Wednesday, December 9 at Pyree Hall, 880 Greenpoint Road, Pyree from 10.30am to 12noon.

A second session will be held on Thursday, December 10 at Bega at the Bega Civic Centre, Zingel Place, again between 120.30am and 12noon.

The sessions will cover identification, surveillance methods and the reporting process.

Farmers in the South Coast region need to be on the lookout for signs of Fall Armyworm, which include windowing of leaves where larvae have hatched and small shot holes as leaves expand, caused by larvae feeding in the developing leaf whorl.

The best way to minimise the spread and impact of the pest is to identify the signs and symptoms early.

To attend either information session RSVP is essential and can be made to megan.wyllie@lls.nsw.gov.au or phone/text 0447 695 480

Currently the best way to submit a suspected Fall Armyworm for identification is to take a clear photo of it and email it to biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au along with your contact details, location and the crop or pasture it was present in.

Alternatively, people can call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or submit an online form. Physical samples are not required at this time.

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