Early autumn watchlist: Slugs, snails, aphids and earwigs
Friday 20 March 2026 SARDIPestFacts
Late summer and early autumn rainfall often triggers activity of several soil-surface pests before crops are sown.
Monitoring paddocks and managing pest hotspots before crop emergence can help reduce establishment damage later in the season.
Pest | Status | Current situation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Slugs | Moderate | Overall pressure is expected to be moderate following the dry summer. However, recent rainfall across parts of SA, particularly northern regions, may increase slug activity in moist soils and stubble-retained paddocks, especially where stubble loads and soil moisture are high. | Check high-risk paddocks before sowing. Monitoring and early management planning can help reduce damage once crops emerge. Watch Slug identification for tips to identify slugs. |
Snails | Moderate | Overall pressure is expected to be moderate following the dry summer. However, rainfall events can stimulate snail movement and activity as conditions become cooler and wetter, with snails moving into paddocks from refuges in stubbles, fence lines and paddock edges. | Monitor paddocks and known hotspot areas. Consider control options prior to crop emergence if high numbers are present. Watch Nail the snails: An ID guide for tips to identify snail species. |
Aphids | Low | Overall pressure is expected to be low following the very dry summer. However, aphid populations may build where a green bridge has developed after recent rainfall. Monitor grassy weeds such as barley grass and volunteer crops for signs of aphid activity. | Control the green bridge at least 2 to 3 weeks before sowing where possible. Monitor volunteer cereals and weeds for aphids. |
Earwigs | Low | Overall pressure is expected to be low following the dry summer. Although high numbers of earwigs have been reported in some stubbles, they are currently sheltering in crop residues and feeding on organic material and small insects rather than crops. | No action required currently. Continue monitoring as crops establish if earwig numbers remain high. Crop hosts: canola, lucerne, lupins, lentils, chickpea, cereals. |
Note: Status reflects seasonal conditions and current field observations. Local monitoring remains essential as pest pressure can vary between paddocks and regions.