Watchlist: Redlegged earth mite, lucerne flea, cowpea aphid
Tuesday 14 April 2026 SARDIPestFacts
The pests listed below are typically the first to respond to autumn conditions. Knowing what to expect and monitoring paddocks early can help reduce the risk of damage at crop establishment.
Pest | Risk | Current situation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Moderate | Reports have been received of green peach aphid on volunteer canola in the southeast. Populations may persist where a green bridge has developed following recent rainfall and act as a source of infestation for emerging crops if not managed prior to sowing. | Monitor brassica weeds and volunteer canola for aphid presence. Control the green bridge at least 2 to 3 weeks before sowing and consider implications for early virus risk. | |
Moderate | Pestfacts team have received report of bryobia mite on recently sown vetch in the Eyre Peninsula. Activity may begin following recent rainfall. Typically, patchy and associated with clover, medics and broadleaf weeds, with potential to damage emerging crops. | Monitor paddocks and hotspot areas, particularly where there is a history of bryobia or high weed cover. Control weeds prior to sowing and be prepared to act at crop establishment if needed. | |
Low | Reports have been received of cowpea aphid on lucerne in the southeast. While overall pressure remains low, populations may persist on legumes and broadleaf weeds where a green bridge has developed following recent rainfall, posing a potential source for early infestations. | Monitor broadleaf weeds, lucerne and volunteer pulses. Manage the green bridge before sowing to reduce early infestations. | |
Low | Reports have been received of lucerne flea on young medics in the Adelaide Hills. Activity may begin following autumn rainfall, with feeding on weeds and volunteer plants prior to crop emergence. | Monitor for early signs of feeding (windowing) on weeds and emerging crops. Be prepared to act if populations increase at establishment. | |
Low | Hatching may begin following suitable autumn rainfall and temperatures. Populations are typically low early but can increase rapidly leading into crop emergence. | Monitor paddocks after opening rains, particularly canola and pulse paddocks. Consider early control strategies where risk is high. | |
Low | May be present on volunteer cereals and grassy weeds where a green bridge has developed following recent rainfall. While these mites are not easily visible, their presence can pose a risk for virus transmission (for example: wheat streak mosaic virus) into emerging crops. | Control volunteer cereals and grassy weeds at least 2 to 3 weeks before sowing to break the green bridge. Monitor paddocks with a history of virus issues and avoid sowing into recently infested areas. |
Note: Status reflects early autumn conditions. Pest pressure can increase rapidly following rainfall and with crop emergence, so continued monitoring is important.