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
More protection for Giant Australian Cuttlefish. Giant Australian Cuttlefish will be better protected with a temporary restriction on recreational activities at their Upper Spencer Gulf breeding site from 1 July. The 90-day exclusion zone applies
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
National Office for Algal Bloom Research opens in Adelaide. Australia’s first dedicated central hub for algal bloom research has opened in Adelaide. The $3.2 million Office for Algal Bloom Research has been established within the South Australian
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,
Australian plague locust update. Following the record-breaking rainfall in February 2026, Australian plague locust activity has increased across parts of South Australia, particularly in the eastern Mallee and northern pastoral regions. The current