IPM Guidelines For Grains

• Incidence and abundance varies by season. Severe infestations can result in a loss of yield and quality.
• Etiella flights commonly occur in mid to late September and often coincide with early pod development in pulses.
• Larvae burrow into pods within 24 hours of hatching. They feed on pods and seeds, remaining in pods until entire content has been eaten.
• Frass is left in the pod, and adjacent pods may be webbed together as larvae move between pods.

• Seeds usually only partially eaten out, often with characteristic pin-hole damage. Damage is difficult to grade out and unattractive appearance reduces seed quality.
• Peanuts are at particular risk during end-of-season droughts when the dry soil allows larval access to the pods.

• The etiella degree-day model forecasts timing of initial moth flight using daily max/min temperatures from June 21 onwards. Start monitoring for moth flights when the model reaches 351 D-days. For more information and to download the Excel file, visit SARDI.
• An etiella pheromone is available for use in sticky traps.
• Moths are attracted to lights from around mid August.

• Predatory bugs – glossy shield bug can attack moths
• Parasitic wasps and flies have been recorded from larvae and pupae

• Avoid moisture stress during early podding
• Early planting of crops should ensure that most pods are set before moth activity occurs in spring
• Control weeds (e.g. rattle pods are favourite weed hosts in Queensland)

• 1-2 etiella moths in 20 sweeps (lentils)

• Chemical control of etiella is only effective on adult moths. Once larvae are in pods they cannot be controlled by insecticides.
• Successful control relies on thorough crop monitoring in order to time insecticide applications to target adult moths prior to egg lay.
• Continue monitoring for 1 week after chemical applications

• Typically only the first generation of etiella are of concern. However, in late finishing seasons, a second generation may also cause significant seed damage.
• In some years both helicoverpa and etiella moths can be controlled with one spray.
• Etiella is associated with aflatoxin in peanuts.

Industry publications provide up to date information about regional pest issues