Researchers' upper hand on devastating lettuce aphid using lady beetles

NSW DPI researcher, Sandra McDougal, says trials using
integrated pest management to control lettuce aphid is
yielding solid results.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) today said it was making speedy success at developing environmentally friendly control measures for Currant Lettuce Aphid.

‘Trials of insecticide options for control of aphids have been conducted at the NSW DPI’s National Vegetable Industry Centre at Yanco,’ NSW DPI researcher, Sandra McDougal, said.

‘The Yanco-based researchers have also held demonstration trials in Tasmania that have revealed that lady beetles and brownlaceings can control lettuce aphid lettuce.

‘The devastating lettuce aphid does not exist in NSW, but has been found in Victoria and Tasmania which means it is very likely to turn up in NSW at some stage.

‘This research is putting our State’s $25 million lettuce industry in the best position possible by identifying integrated pest management techniques to combat the pest before it even arrives here.

‘The insect exists in Europe, the Middle East, North America and New Zealand and feeds primarily on lettuce and is found within the heart of the vegetable.

‘The way the aphid gets into the heart of the lettuce makes control using chemical difficult.

‘Also, it is believed that the Currant Lettuce Aphid would be quick to develop resistance to the single chemical available to growers for its control.

‘Therefore, an arsenal of effective insects that can get into the centre of the lettuce and attack the aphid has been identified and is being trialled in demonstrations in Tasmania and Victoria.

‘The NSW DPI is also planning to establish several demonstration sites in NSW showing the effectiveness and virtues of integrated pest management.’

The research is part of a national project Incorporating Lettuce Aphid in Lettuce IPM which involves researchers from Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

Media contact: Brett Fifield on 02 63913311 or 0427 029 511.