Hoverflies lending a hand in canola. While growers are keeping an eye on insect pests, it's worth remembering that beneficial insects are also out in force. During recent monitoring at the GRDC project Canola Allies trial site at Rosedale,
Plague locust outlook: what to expect this spring. Widespread rainfall across South Australia in late summer provided ideal breeding conditions for Australian plague locusts. With Australian plague locust activity increasing across SA, the focus is
Blue-green aphids emerge as pulse crops establish. Blue-green aphids have been reported in medic on the Eyre Peninsula and faba beans in the South East. However, the current cool and wet winter conditions are expected to slow their development and
Native budworm moth activity – update to 30 June 2026. At this time of year, native budworm trap catches are best viewed as an early warning of moth movement rather than an immediate threat to crops. While flights this early in the season are less
Tiny pests, hidden damage: mealybugs in cereal. Although mealybugs are not a common or widespread cereal pest in South Australia, we have received several reports of mealybug activity in cereal crops from the Eyre Peninsula, Mid North and Murray
Recent rain has snails and slugs moving: what it means for your crop. After several relatively dry seasons, many growers have become adapted to seeing lower snail and slug activity. This year, however, has been different. Late summer and autumn
Watch the PestFacts May webinar. If you couldn't join the PestFacts SA webinar in May, the recording is now available. The webinar featured updates on the 2026 season, including current pest activity, green peach aphid management and turnip yellows
Watch for faba bean aphids. Faba bean aphid (Megoura crassicauda) is a lesser-known exotic pest that feeds on pulses, particularly faba beans and vetch, and has the potential to affect faba bean production if it becomes established in South Australia
Helicoverpa moth monitoring network returns for 2026. The PestFacts SA Helicoverpa moth monitoring network is again under way, helping growers and advisers keep track of native budworm moth activity throughout the season. Native budworm (Helicoverpa
The caterpillar with a distinctive walk: Brown pasture looper. As crops continue to emerge across the state, you may notice brown pasture looper caterpillars’ activity. Although they are not an every-year pest, favourable conditions and abundant
Check your cereal crops for Russian wheat aphids. While the PestFacts SA team has not yet received reports of Russian wheat aphid (RWA, Diuraphis noxia) activity this season yet, recent rainfall, emerging cereal crops and the presence of green
Rutherglen bug. Identification. Adults are approximately 4 millimetres long, grey-brown in colour, and have clear wings folded flat across the back. They have a narrow body, prominent dark eyes, and piercing-sucking mouthparts. Nymphs are wingless,