AGRICULTURE Victoria has revealed one of the world’s most damaging crop pests, the Russian wheat aphid, has been confirmed in six Victorian locations.
There is one confirmed sighting just south of Horsham, and others to the west and north of Warracknabeal and around Nhill.
Biosecurity Victoria hosted a meeting in Horsham on Friday advising the industry on how to deal with the aphids.
Before the first sightings in South Australia a week ago, around Strathalbyn and near Bordertown, Australia was the last major wheat producing nation not to have the aphids.
There is no registered insecticide for controlling Russian wheat aphid in Australia.
Grain Producers Australia chairman Andrew Weidemann urged growers even in areas distant from the sightings to pay particular attention during crop inspections.
