- Fall armyworm is known to feed on up to 350 plant species, causing significant crop losses.
- A graduate agronomist has discovered a worm-eating fungus.
- The fungus could provide farmers with valuable biological control.
By Amy Phillips and Jodie Gunders
Wrapped in fungus, these fall armyworms look like they have been dipped in white chocolate.
But the white coating is actually a pathogenic fungus that eats the worm from the inside out, and it was recently discovered by a newly graduated agronomist at a property near Beaudesert in southern Queensland.
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Fall armyworm is a hungry caterpillar with a ferocious appetite for maize, sorghum and horticulture plants, and can cause significant yield losses.
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"Basically, [the fungus] Nomuraea Rileyi is covering the whole fall armyworm and eating it. It impacts their whole system and acts similarly to Altacor, a key insecticide."
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Dr Miles was confident Australian growers would eventually gain control over fall armyworm.
"Whether that means late crops of corn are no longer a viable part of the landscape or growers may be restricted, but we will be relying heavily on natural enemies to control fall armyworm," she said.
Local chief & farmer, Andrea used to see his community’s crops destroyed by #FallArmyworm.
Since using Fawligen, a bio-pesticide produced by AgBiTech & successfully piloted by @USAIDSouthSudan & @FAO in #SouthSudan, they can finally control the pest & protect their harvest. pic.twitter.com/TKHoUeGq3u— FAO in South Sudan (@FAOSouthSudan) February 2, 2021