Principal Entomologist Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) from Helicoverpa armigera were isolated by scientists of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) in the early 1970’s. In the subsequent 2 decades, there was an increased understanding of the relationship between HearNPV and this key pest of broadacre and horticultural cropping systems. The knowledge gained working with imported NPV’s underpinned the commercial production, registration, and field deployment of a locally produced HearNPV in 2003. Whilst growers were enthusiastic about the potential benefits of NPV to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) efforts and insecticide resistance management of H. armigera, achieving commercially acceptable results in the field was challenging. The ongoing collaboration between QDPI and the product manufacturer saw researchers and the private sector working side-by-side to educate growers and their advisors in the effective use of this new biological control tool. Reliable control was achieved when growers were able to effect timely application to populations dominated by small larvae and under environmental conditions conducive to rapid uptake of the NPV. Vivus Max® is now the product of choice for Helicoverpa control in sorghum in Australia. The reliability of NPV in sorghum is greatly facilitated by the synchrony of egg laying at head emergence, the frequency of secondary infection, and the preservation of natural enemies. The experience from 2 decades of commercial use of baculovirus in Australia, is informing our research in the development of SfMNPV for management of a new pest in Australia, Spodoptera frugiperda.
