The eBulletin issued on 6 November 2020 listed products under permit for control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). Table 1 has now been updated to include insecticides registered for use in vineyards that contain the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) subspecies aizawai or kurstaki. The Bt products listed in Table 1 have armyworm (Spodoptera spp.) on the label and would most likely kill larvae of fall armyworm, especially if applied when larvae are small. The Bt products may be used until harvest.

The efficacy of the different Bt strains against fall armyworm depends on the type of toxins the strains produce. Research indicates that the aizawai strain provides better control of fall armyworm than the kurstaki strain.

Fall armyworm has a reputation for developing resistance to insecticides. If fall armyworm is found in the vineyard, a program of control that uses several activity groups over the control period is needed. Resistance management strategies will be required to maintain effectiveness of insecticides for controlling this pest.

For more information please contact Marcel Essling on 08 8313 6600 or email helpdesk@awri.com.au.

Table 1. Chemical control options for fall armyworm in wine-grape production.

Fall armyworm
Active constituent	Activity group	Some registered products	Restriction on use for export wine	Permit number
methomyl	1A	Electra 225, KDpc Metho, Landrin 225, Lannate L, Lymo 225, Methomyl (225, 225 SL), Nudrin 225, Pirate, Seneca (Ultra 400SP), Sinmas 225	Not recommended on grapes destined for export wine. Contact your winery prior to any methomyl application.	89293
chlorantraniliprole	28	Altacor Hort	Use no later than E-L 25, 80% capfall.	89259
spinetoram	5	Delegate	Use no later than E-L 31, berries pea-size (not > 7 mm diameter).	89241
spinosad	5	Entrust Organic		89870
emamectin	6	Energise, Proclaim, Proclaim Opti, Warlock	Use no later than E-L 31, berries pea-size (not > 7 mm diameter) AND do not use within 56 days of harvest.	89263
indoxacarb	22A	Avatar, Incarnate 300 WG, Indoxacarb 300WG, Lepta 300 WG, Persona 300 WG, Spymaster 300WG		89278
Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai	11	Bacchus WG	May be used until harvest
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki	11	Delfin, DiPel DF

This information is provided to inform the Australian grape and wine sector and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any product.

References

Hardke, J.T., Rogers Leonard, B., Huanga, F., Jackson, R.E. 2011. Damage and survivorship of fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on transgenic field corn expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Cry proteins. Crop Prot. 30(2): 168-172.

Hercos Valicente, F., Augustode, E., Picoli, T., Vilaçade Vasconcelos, M. J., Portilho Carneiro, N., Almeida Carneiro, A., Teixeira Guimarães, C., Lana, U.G. 2010. Molecular characterization and distribution of Bacillus thuringiensis cry1 genes from Brazilian strains effective against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. Biol. Control 53 (3): 360-366.

Wang, Y., Wang, J., Fu, X., Nageotte, J.R., Silverman, J., Bretsnyder, E.C., Chen, D., Rydel, T.J., Bean, G.J., Li, K.S., Kraft, E., Gowda, A., Nance, A., Moore, R.G., Pleau, M.J., Milligan, J.S., Anderson, H.M., Asiimwe, P., Evans, A., Moar, W.J., Martinelli, S., Head, G.P., Haas, J.A., Baum, J.A., Yang, F., Kerns, D.L., Jerga, A. 2019. Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Da_7 and Cry1B.868 protein interactions with novel receptors allow control of resistant fall armyworms, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 85(16): 1-15.

The AWRI has recently completed a project to update and merge its databases of agrochemical and MRL information into a single system. This change has improved the functionality of the AWRI’s online search facility and agrochemical mobile apps – making it possible to perform agrochemical and MRL searches from a single platform.

Users of the AWRI’s previous agrochemicals app should remove the old version from their devices as it is no longer supported and download the new app, called ‘AWRI Agrochemical and MRL Search’ from the Apple and Google app stores. The app is free to download and versions are available for both iOS and Android devices.

The AWRI agrochemicals and MRL online search facility and agrochemicals & MRL app allow users to rapidly access information contained in the current issue of the Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture booklet (often called the ‘Dog book’). These tools also contain additional information derived from the AWRI database; that is, they allow the user to search for products registered for use on targets that are not listed in the ‘Dog book’.

Tap or scan the QR codes below to access the app in the app store.

iOS devices

Android devices

The AWRI agrochemicals and MRL online search facility and agrochemicals & MRL app allow users to rapidly access information contained in the current issue of the Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture booklet (often called the ‘Dog book’). These tools also contain additional information derived from the AWRI database; that is, they allow the user to search for products registered for use on targets that are not listed in the ‘Dog book’.

For more information, please contact Marcel Essling on 08 8313 6600 or email helpdesk@awri.com.au.

Fall armyworm control options

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a highly invasive pest that was detected in north Queensland in January 2020. It has the capacity to travel long distances relatively quickly and has recently been found in NSW.

A detailed description of fall armyworm and the biosecurity implications of this pest is available in this bulletin from Vinehealth Australia.

While fall armyworm feeds preferentially on grass-type crops, many plants are susceptible, including horticultural crops. There is potential for fall armyworm to spread into grapegrowing regions; however, the development and behaviour of this insect in vineyards is not yet known.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has a broad range of chemical classes listed under permit for use against fall armyworm in grape production (shown in Table 1 below, along with the recommended restriction on use for export wine).

Prior to applying a chemical treatment, growers are required to regularly scout crops to monitor for eggs and larvae. Treatments should be applied when pests appear, targeting eggs at the time of hatching or small larvae (prior to third instar stage) before the pest becomes entrenched. Permits should be read and instructions followed prior to spraying.

For more information please contact Marcel Essling on 08 8313 6600 or email helpdesk@awri.com.au.

This information is provided to inform the Australian grape and wine sector and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any product.

Table 1. Chemical control options for fall armyworm in wine-grape production.

Fall armyworm
Active constituent	Activity group	Some registered products	Restriction on use for export wine	Permit number
methomyl	1A	Electra 225, KDpc Metho, Landrin 225, Lannate L, Lymo 225, Methomyl (225, 225 SL), Nudrin 225, Pirate, Seneca (Ultra 400SP), Sinmas 225	Not recommended on grapes destined for export wine. Contact your winery prior to any methomyl application.	89293
chlorantraniliprole	28	Altacor Hort	Use no later than E-L 25, 80% capfall.	89259
spinetoram	5	Delegate	Use no later than E-L 31, berries pea-size (not > 7 mm diameter).	89241
spinosad	5	Entrust Organic		89870
emamectin	6	Energise, Proclaim, Proclaim Opti, Warlock	Use no later than E-L 31, berries pea-size (not > 7 mm diameter) AND do not use within 56 days of harvest.	89263
indoxacarb	22A	Avatar, Incarnate 300 WG, Indoxacarb 300WG, Lepta 300 WG, Persona 300 WG, Spymaster 300WG		89278