RLEM resistance testing available

Cesar Australia is offering a screening service to test for insecticide resistance in RLEM in South Australia, Victoria, NSW and Tasmania. The screening is at no-cost for Australian grain growers and advisers, thanks to funding from GRDC.

Cesar Australia are particularly interested in hearing from growers or advisors who have experienced recent or past chemical control failures or have paddocks that are frequently impacted by the mites, and often require spraying.

Understanding the dynamics of RLEM populations in your paddocks including resistance will help identify the best control options for growers.

How to send samples for screening

Please contact Dr Aston Arthur if you wish to send in mites for screening. If required, a collection kit can also be provided containing necessary equipment to send mites in. Otherwise, check the sending in samples to Cesar Australia factsheet.

Avoiding the evolution of insecticide resistance

The GRDC RLEM Best Practice Management Guide and RLEM insecticide resistance management strategy are available to guide decisions around the management of RLEM. Monitoring is key to understanding what’s going on in your paddocks. Importantly, use of chemical controls should be judicious and only when thresholds are reached.

In a current SARDI research project, SARDI entomologists have found that summer egg populations are a good predicator for autumn egg populations in the soil – but also that many paddocks tested found no eggs or mites. Observations are the first step in any plan for tackling invertebrate pests.

Remember to inspect paddocks post-spraying and report any suspected spray failures.

Contact

For more information or to access the testing service, contact:

Dr Aston Arthur
Phone: 0427 875 040
Email: aarthur@cesaraustralia.com