The Australian Grains Pest Innovation Program (AGPIP) is focused on supporting Australian grain growers transition to a more sustainable approach for management of invertebrate pests. AGPIP will make use of novel pest suppressive technologies such as endosymbionts, molecular approaches and predictive modelling, as well as other previously unexplored disciplines, for the management of pests. Additionally, the extension component of AGPIP will focus on translating the program’s research outcomes into grower guides and other management tools.

Project partners

AGPIP is a collaboration between the Pest & Environmental Adaptation Research Group at the University of Melbourne and Cesar Australia. The program is a co-investment by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the University of Melbourne, together with in-kind contributions from all program partners.

Novel suppression and resistance management of invertebrate pests (UOM1906-002RTX).

• Duration: AGPIP will run from June 2019 to April 2024.
• Resources: Hear more about this project on YouTube 
• Project contact: Dr Paul Umina

Bluegreen aphids (Acyrthosiphon kondoi) are pests of lucerne, pulses, medics, clovers, and pastures. These tiny pests feed directly on plant foliage, damaging the plant and spreading harmful plant viruses. Growers have traditionally relied on insecticides to protect their crops from bluegreen aphids. However, Cesar Australia recently discovered the first known cases of bluegreen aphid populations evolving insecticide resistance. Given bluegreen aphids have never previously evolved insecticide resistance, key unknowns remain about how the industry can tackle this evolutionary event.

The projects have three core objectives: 1) gather information on the spatial and temporal variation of insecticide resistance in the field; 2) generate baseline data on the biocontrol options for BGA. Using this information, we will 3) develop pest management guidelines and communicate our research findings to the pasture seed and grains industries through multiple platforms.

Project partners

Cesar Australia is leading two parallel projects, with investment from AgriFutures Australia and the GRDC, to help pasture seed and grain growers manage the emerging issue of insecticide-resistant bluegreen aphids.

Sending samples

You can help our research! If you, or someone in your area, has experienced bluegreen aphid issues, we request live samples be posted to our laboratories for resistance testing. For information on collecting and posting samples, contact Evatt Chirgwin or call 0487292556.

• Duration: Spanning December 2021 – August 2025
• Resources: Bluegreen aphid identification and biology PestNote, Resistance discovery video
• Contact: Dr Evatt Chirgwin

Bush Stone-curlews are a large, ground-dwelling bird endemic to Australia and are considered critically endangered in Victoria. To assist with conservation efforts, the Odonata Foundation in partnership with researchers at the Australian National University, has successfully established a captive-breeding colony at Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre. This colony has grown in strength and capacity, and the team are now preparing to release a number of individuals into new sanctuaries.

Cesar Australia has partnered with Odonata in this project to lead the genetic management of the bush stone-curlews colony. Targeted non-invasive SNP genotyping methods are being developed as part of this project. These methods will allow individuals to be identified and sexed from feather samples, as well as assess their relationship with other individuals in the program. This is a strategic genetic approach to aid the captive-breeding program by helping to determine which individuals should breed so that overall genetic health of the population can be maintained. This approach will also be used to identify new founders for the program.

The establishment of such strategic captive breeding programs applying genetic methods are critical to the survival of the Bush Stone-curlew. The next step of this project involves a release of Bush Stone Curlews at either Orana Park sanctuary in Central Victoria (one of Odonata’s sanctuaries) or Phillip Island, in conjunction with Phillip Island Nature Parks.

Green peach aphid is a major vector of the turnip yellows virus (TuYV) in the Australian broadacre grain industry. With green peach aphid populations demonstrating varying levels of resistance to all five chemical options registered for use by Australian grain growers, developing a better understanding of the future resistance risks and protecting existing chemistries is a priority. Building on previous research undertaken by Cesar Australia and other project partners, throughout this project we will:

– Develop new methods to test insecticide resistance in green peach aphids to novel chemistries;

– Conduct a national insecticide resistance surveillance program and undertake widespread testing of green peach aphid populations;

– Provide updated resistance and TuYV management information that reflects resistance risks for new pesticides and patterns in the evolution of insecticide resistance;

– Develop prediction modelling on movement of aphid populations incorporating seasonal variation, plant host availability, and short- and long-distance dispersal; and

– Provide growers and advisors with information to support adoption of effective resistance management strategies in line with research findings

Project partners

This project is a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment led by Cesar Australia in collaboration with CSIRO and WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). Additional funding has been provided by Corteva Agriscience, BASF and ISK with in-kind contributions from all project partners.

Insecticide resistance in the green peach aphid: national surveillance, preparedness and implications for virus management (CES2001-001RTX).

• Resources: Green Peach Aphid Doorstep Science Video
• Project contact: Dr Paul Umina

Eastern bristlebirds, Dasyornis brachypterus, are listed as endangered under the EPBC Act 1999. Cesar Australia have undertaken a series of genetic analyses over the last four years on eastern bristlebird samples to help guide in situ (and ex situ) management efforts. The remaining three genetic populations include the Southern population that has two discrete populations on the Victorian – New South Wales coastal border: Croajingolong National Park and Nadgee Nature Reserve.

Both areas were threatened by the 2019/2020 summer bushfires, with genetic analyses highlighting potential genetic issues and a need to qualify the extent of genetic concerns. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Victoria engaged Cesar Australia to undertake genotyping of eastern bristlebird samples from select populations and provide recommendations for their genetic management. This project involves Cesar Australia:

• microsatellite genotyping eastern bristlebird samples
• undertaking genetic analyses and contrasting results with those previously reported in 2019 and 2020
• providing recommendations based on the analyses around genetic rescue and restoration of the Croajingolong population and reintroduction to Wilsons Promontory, including source populations and founder numbers.

Project partners

This project develop and deliver a genetic strategy and ongoing monitoring to help improve genetic fitness and resilience to assist with long-term prospect of survival. It is supported by the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery package for wildlife and their habitat, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Parks Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s Bushfire Biodiversity Recovery program.

Photo credit: Peter Rowland

The emergence and spread of insecticide resistance to synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates in the RLEM has resulted in a need for a reassessment of management options for this pest. This project focuses on improving biological, cultural, and chemical control strategies for RLEM, as well as resistance management recommendations to maintain effectiveness in current chemical control options.

Key components of the work include broad-scale field surveillance, exploration of novel synthetic and biological-based approaches, investigation of IPM tactics for sustainable RLEM management, and development of risk forecasting tools to support proactive management. This information will be fed into the National Resistant Management Strategy to ensure it has the latest advice and includes the best practice recommendations. Extension activities will make research findings readily available to Australian grain growers to support widespread adoption. Ultimately, this research will improve the toolkit available for the management of this important grains pest, which will support enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.

Project partners

This project is being undertaken in collaboration with CSIRO, the University of Melbourne and WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) with funding from Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

Future options for the control of RLEM in Australian grain crops (CES2010-001RTX).

• Duration: October 2020 – September 2024
• Resources: RLEM resistance management strategy
• Project contact: Dr Luis Mata

This project aims to provide grain growers and advisors with information on invertebrate grain pest occurrence and equip industry with the knowledge needed to implement integrated pest management practices. A major delivery platform for this project is PestFacts south-eastern.

The project is delivered by the National Pest Information Network, a group of entomologists and extension specialists at Cesar Australia , DPIRD, QDAF, NSW DPI, and SARDI. This initiative is a GRDC investment and includes in-kind contributions from all project partner organisations.

Identification, surveillance and advisory platform for management of grains pests (CES1904-002RTX).

This is a multi-year project beginning in 2019 and running until December 2021.

Faba bean aphids (Megoura crassicauda) are native to north-east Asia and were considered exotic pests in Australia prior to their detection on broad bean plants in metropolitan Sydney in October 2016. Soon after this, the pest expanded its range to encompass the northern cropping region and infestations have been observed in both metropolitan and agricultural areas since. The current distribution of this pest in Victoria and its potential for damage is unknown, and chemical control options for this pest are currently extremely limited.

Research conducted by the NSW DPI found that while faba bean and vetch are the primary hosts, faba bean aphids also persist on field pea, lentil, and to a lesser extent, lucerne and subclover. Annual legume weeds like wooly pod vetch can also act as non-crop hosts. The same research discovered that M. crassicauda is a vector of both bean leaf roll mosaic virus (BLRV) and pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV). Available information for lifecycle, behaviour and reproduction is limited.

Throughout this research project, the Cesar team will:

• Undertake distribution and host range surveys, which will involve recurrent surveillance and crop colonisation behaviour observations throughout the different rainfall zones at different times of the year. This will in turn provide scientists the opportunity to observe faba bean aphid behaviour, colonisation tendencies, damage and distribution.
• Rear any collected faba bean aphid specimens in the lab for parasitoids to collect data and information about the kinds of beneficial insects that may predate this pest species.
• Conduct laboratory bioassays to assess the response of the faba bean aphid to potential chemical control options that could be incorporated into an IPM program. This information could be used to support emergency use permits, and for the registration of future chemistries.
• Communicate findings to PestFacts south-eastern audiences, the Cesar network and the GRDC, and collaborate with the NSW DPI to develop a GRDC fact sheet on this pest.

If you’ve spotted the faba bean aphid in south-eastern Australia, please send in a sample! You can find more information on how to collect and send samples here.

Please direct any observations, questions, queries or concerns to Stephanie Veskoukis.