MenuArgentine stem weevil a threat to seedling grasses
Regions: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, Southland
Argentine stem weevil is a significant threat to seedling grasses, even those infected with endophyte, at this time of year. This also applies to cereal and maize crops. If it is possible, delay sowing until early March when much of this threat will have passed. See DairyNZ Pasture Renewal Guide for endophyte selection.
Damage from black beetle larvae may be showing
Regions: Northland, Auckland, BoP, Waikato
In the northern North Island damage from black beetle larvae may be showing. Unfortunately little can be done to prevent this. Adults are deterred by AR37, Endo5 and NEA2 endophyte- infected grasses which will reduce egg laying and larval numbers. See DairyNZ Pasture Renewal Guide
Second porina flight due
Regions: Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, Southland
The early flight of porina moths has passed but the second flight significant flight is about to occur in the South Island and could take place anytime between now and the end of February. Further flights may occur in March in the North Island. In areas that experienced an early (October/November) porina flight mid January to mid February is the optimal time to be applying diflubenzuron.
Ordering grass seed? Select endophyte
Regions: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, Southland
When ordering grass seed select suitable endophytes and check that the endophyte you select has been assessed in the grass variety you order. In ryegrass, AR1 and AR37, and and diploids with NEA2, will protect against Argentine stem weevil, AR37, Endo5 and NEA2 against black beetle and AR37 against porina. See DairyNZ Pasture Renewal Guide for a guide to endophyte selection.
Endophyte levels in the seed should be at least 70% and have been assessed in the last 3 months.
Controlling Californian thistle
Regions: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, Southland
Mowing Californian thistle during rainfall can improve control of this weed by 30% as compared to mowing during dry weather. Best time to do this “wet mowing” is in February/March when the fungi thought to be responsible for this effect are producing spores on the thistle. The effect is likely to be greatest if some members of the thistle population to be mowed are showing signs of disease (wilting, yellowing, dieback).
Tasmanian grass grub beetle flights
Regions: Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Canterbury, Central Otago
Watch for Tasmanian grass grub beetle flights. Beetles are attracted to lights at night. Large numbers of beetles flying may indicate potential damage from the larvae in autumn and winter.
Clover root weevil damage
Regions: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, Southland
Clover root weevil adults are abundant and damage to clover leaves will be obvious in most areas. Unless severe this is not significant damage and does not mean the biocontrol agent is absent.
Clover root weevil pasture renewal
Regions: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, Southland
Clover root weevil. Pasture renewal should incorporate a non-clover break crop. This weevil cannot survive in the absence of clover so a clover free break crop provides a temporary weevil free environment that will allow clover seedlings to establish before the weevil reinvades. This will also reduce plant nematodes, plant pathogens and weeds and benefit the new pasture.
Grass grub prone areas
Regions: Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, Southland
In grass grub prone areas 2 and 3 year old pastures should be inspected to determine if potentially damaging levels are present. Early treatment will offer most protection and maximise returns from the cost of intervention.
Watch for clover flea damage
Regions: Northland, Auckland, BoP, Waikato
In Northland, South Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty watch for clover flea damage to clover and treat early if required to maximise effectiveness.
Remain vigilant for velvetleaf
Regions: All NZ
Velvetleaf seed was introduced to NZ as a contaminant of some fodder beet seed and planted in many properties throughout NZ. Therefore, if you have either grown fodder beet or received fodder beet onto your property you need to be vigilant and keep an eye out for this weed and do not let it establish on your property. Velvet leaf is declared Unwanted Organism by MPI and occurrences must be reported and dealt with. For more information phone the MPI hotline 0800 80 99 66 or go to MPI or go to AgPest, or contact your regional council.
Social tagging: Argentine stem weevil > Black beetle > Californian thistle > Clover > Clover flea > Clover root weevil > Endophyte > Grass grub > grass seed > Porina > Tasmanian grass grub beetle > Velvetleaf