THE exotic pest fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has now been detected at Bowen in Queensland’s Whitsunday region, about 100 kilometres further south than its last confirmed detection less than a week ago in the Burdekin region of North Queensland.

This latest detection brings to eight the number of confirmed samples of fall armyworm on the Australian mainland since the initial detection at Bamaga at the top of Cape York in February 2020.

Fall armyworm

It has since spread south into Far North Queensland where it was detected at South Johnstone in the Innisfail region below Cairns in early March and more recently the Burdekin region south of Townsville.

Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said the detection was not unexpected as fall armyworm is highly mobile.

Growers should have on-farm biosecurity measures to protect their crops from pests and diseases. More information is available at farmbiosecurity.com.au or biosecurity.qld.gov.au. 

Producers who think they may have come across fall armyworm are strongly encouraged to photograph and report suspect sightings to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23 or to their local biosecurity officer or extension officer.

More information, including the impacts and management advice for key crops, visit business.qld.gov.au/fallarmyworm.