Table 7. Details of common sorghum pests in Australia (Franzmann 2007). stagea Pest Status in Damage Control Australia field earwig Minor, Germinating seed serves Mainly (Nala widespread, as food to nymphs and chemical, lividipes) regular adults; most damage is germinating recorded at early plant seed baits, stage as they attack roots insecticide seed dressings False wireworms: Major, Larvae feed on seeds, Integrated Southern false widespread, roots, growing tips of Pest wireworm irregular plants; adults feed on Management Germination (Gonocephalum young plants by cutting (IPM) and off plant at the ground macleayi) false level wireworm (Pterohelaeus alternatus) Cutworms Larvae feed on leaves, Chemical - widespread, stems of young plants pyrethroid Agrotis spp. irregular leading to wilting and sprays death effective Corn aphid Minor, Adults and nymphs suck Chemical (Rhophalosiphum widespread, sap and produce regular honeydew. Plants turn maidis) yellow when attacked by large numbers, heads produce sticky grain; loss of yield can occur under dryland conditions Armyworms: Minor, Larvae defoliate young Chemical Northern army irregular plants; mature plants Vegetative worm may outgrow damage but (Leucania seed yield is reduced; signs include chewed separata); Common leaf margins, faecal armyworm pellets (Leucania and convecta); Dayfeeding armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) Corn earworm Major, Larvae feed on Biocidal; Flowering; widespread, developing seeds Nuclear (Helicoverpa seed regular Polyhedrosis armigera) virus (NPV)
Table 7. Details of common sorghum pests in Australia (Franzmann 2007). stagea Pest Status in Australia Damage Control Germination field earwig (Nala lividipes) Minor, widespread, regular Germinating seed serves as food to nymphs and adults; most damage is recorded at early plant stage as they attack roots Mainly chemical, germinating seed baits, insecticide seed dressings False wireworms: Southern false wireworm (Gonocephalum macleayi) and false wireworm (Pterohelaeus alternatus) Major, widespread, irregular Larvae feed on seeds, roots, growing tips of plants; adults feed on young plants by cutting off plant at the ground level Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Cutworms Agrotis spp. widespread, irregular Larvae feed on leaves, stems of young plants leading to wilting and death Chemical - pyrethroid sprays effective Vegetative Corn aphid (Rhophalosiphum maidis) Minor, widespread, regular Adults and nymphs suck sap and produce honeydew. Plants turn yellow when attacked by large numbers, heads produce sticky grain; loss of yield can occur under dryland conditions Chemical Armyworms: Northern army worm (Leucania separata); Common armyworm (Leucania convecta); and Dayfeeding armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) Minor, irregular Larvae defoliate young plants; mature plants may outgrow damage but seed yield is reduced; signs include chewed leaf margins, faecal pellets Chemical Flowering; seed Corn earworm (Helicoverpa armigera) Major, widespread, regular Larvae feed on developing seeds Biocidal; Nuclear Polyhedrosis virus (NPV)