Development of an Integrated Pest Management Program for the NSW Rice Industry

Water use efficiency in rice can only be maximised if the crop is protected from pests using modern approaches that conserve beneficial species which contribute to Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Native insects and snails are an ongoing issue for growers and recently introduced pests pose new threats to the crop. This project is focused on understanding how naturally occurring parasitoids and predators contribute to rice pest management, and then developing new approaches to ensure pest outbreaks can be controlled without damaging these beneficial species. The development of newer-generation selective pesticides to replace older broad-spectrum chemicals and understanding their impacts is a key component of this project.