Investigating aphid control with parasitoid wasps in canola, this project is led by Cesar Australia, in collaboration with PEARG at the University of Melbourne, Crop Capsules, Bugs for Bugs and Biological Services. The aim of this project is to assess the ecological and economic benefits of controlling aphid pests of canola with parasitoid wasps, using both naturally occurring parasitoid wasps and inoculative releases.

Planned extension activities

We will provide participating growers with observations and key findings throughout the trial. We are also planning a beneficial insect workshop in 2025, and field walks in two states in 2026 demonstrating parasitoid deployment and monitoring. Growers and their advisers involved in the project will be given priority access to these events.

Would you like be involved?

We’d love to hear from you! If you are interested in participating in these trials, please email Dr Samantha Ward at sward@cesaraustralia.com. For more information, download the information sheet here. 

Meet the team

• • Luis Mata, Cesar Australia
  • Samantha Ward, Cesar Australia
  • Paul Umina, Cesar Australia

Partners

• • Josh Thia, University of Melbourne
  • Mel Carew, University of Melbourne
  • Olivia Bange, Crop Capsules
  • Sophie Gulliver, Crop Capsules
  • Adam Perkins, Crop Capsules
  • James Altmann, Biological Services
  • Dan Papacek, Bugs for Bugs

Industry Advisory Group

• • David Stead, Anasazi Agronomy Pty Ltd
  • Tim Condon, Delta Agribusiness
  • Ben Cordes, NutrienAg
  • Melina Miles, QDAF
  • Sarina Macfadyen, CSIRO

This webpage was developed as part of a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment, ‘Insecticide resistance in the green peach aphid: national surveillance, preparedness and implications for virus management (CES2307-001RTX)’. This investment is led by Cesar Australia in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Crop Capsules, Biological Services, and Bugs for Bugs.

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.

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

This project aims to provide grain growers and advisors with information and seasonal updates 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.

This project is GRDC investment (CES2404-002RTX) delivered by Cesar Australia with in-kind contributions from both partner organisations.

• Duration: May 2024 – April 2029
• Project contact: Julia Severi