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REVIEW
Contents Vol 48(12)

Ecology of diamondback moth in Australian canola: landscape perspectives and the implications for management

Michael J. Furlong A H , Helen Spafford B , Peter M. Ridland C , Nancy M. Endersby D , Owain R. Edwards E , Greg J. Baker F , Michael A. Keller G and Cate A. Paull F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Integrative Biology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

B School of Animal Biology (M085), University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

C Department of Primary Industries, Knoxfield Private Bag 15, Ferntree Gully Delivery Centre, Vic. 3156, Australia.

D Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research, Department of Genetics, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.

E CSIRO Entomology, Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Floreat Park, WA 6014, Australia.

F Entomology Unit, South Australian Research and Development Institute, GPO Box 397, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

G Discipline of Plant and Food Science, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Campus, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

H Corresponding author. Email: m.furlong@uq.edu.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(12) 1494-1505 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA07413
Submitted: 17 December 2007  Accepted: 28 April 2008   Published: 6 November 2008

Abstract

The ecology of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylsotella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and records of its frequent, but sporadic, population outbreaks in the canola agroecosystems of southern and western Australia are reviewed. The migratory capacity of DBM, possible maintenance of pest populations on brassicaceous weeds and forage crops, resistance to commonly used pyrethroid insecticides, a lack of effective natural enemies (due to disruption by insecticides and difficulties associated with colonising the vast areas of canola crops) and suitable climatic conditions during critical phases of the crop cycle are all likely to contribute to the observed pest outbreaks. A greater understanding of the ecology of DBM in the canola landscape is fundamental to improving its management in the crop but relevant long-term DBM abundance data are currently lacking. Five critical research issues are identified: (i) improved understanding of the factors which determine regional movement patterns of diamondback in canola-growing areas; (ii) the development and implementation of flexible insecticide resistance management strategies; (iii) better understanding of canola crop colonisation by natural enemies of DBM and their population dynamics under current and alternative insecticide application strategies; (iv) greater appreciation of the interactions between DBM and its crop and weedy host plants; and (v) the development of validated simulation models to aid in the forecasting of possible DBM outbreaks. Each issue represents a significant challenge but all must be addressed if the development of a sustainable integrated strategy for the management of DBM in Australian canola is to become a reality.

Additional keyword: migration.


Acknowledgements

We thank Paul Umina and Gary Fitt for inviting this review and for compiling the special edition of Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture in which the paper appears.


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