Pasture-destroying insect being investigated

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) is currently investigating an insect species that is threatening dairy pastures, and consequently milk production, in Gippsland and Victoria.

Soil from six farms has been sampled in Victoria to calculate how much damage the redheaded pasture cockchafer (RHC) has caused to farmland so far. According to Dairy Australia, tiny beetles are costing some heavily affected farms up to $200,000 per year in lost production.

GippsDairy is funding this research project in an attempt to discover an "effective and cost-efficient means of controlling RHC populations".

Alan Yen, the DEPI entomologist who is leading this project, stated that because the insect has a two-year life cycle, "heavy damage is sometimes noticed every second year". He added, however, that "overlapping generations can cause damage in successive years".

He recommends keeping an eye out for signs of damage around April and early June, as this seems to be when the RHC is at its most visibly destructive.

"Their presence is most evident during a dry spell after the autumn break, when dead pasture is found among areas of green," Mr Yen stated.

His team are using remote sensing technology to locate the insects, as they feed deep underground and can be quite difficult to reach.

While ways of dealing with an RHC infestation are still being figured out, methods for controlling other destructive species of insects that feed closer to the surface are available.

It is therefore important that farmers know what kind of creatures they're dealing with and take the appropriate steps to eradicate them.

If you are at all concerned about the wellbeing of your produce and pastures, you may want to consider contacting Elders Insurance and organising a crop insurance plan.

We also offer a variety of farm insurance options that can cover everything from your livestock to your fences.