ORIENTAL RICE THRIPS, STENCHAETOTHRIPS BIFORMIS (BAGNALL), RECORDED ATTACKING SUGARCANE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AUSTRALIA

摘要

ON 4 JUNE 2012, Oriental rice thrips, Stenchaetothrips biformis (Bagnall), was detecteddamaging sugarcane seedlings on the BSES Experiment Station at Meringa, Mulgraveregion, Queensland. It has since been detected on young cane plants on two other farmsin the Mulgrave area. The pest was first suspected to be Oriental sugarcane thrips(Fulmekiola serrata (Kobus)), an exotic pest species. This triggered an EmergencyResponse course of action, with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQueensland (DAFF) being notified immediately and all cane movement out of Meringastation being halted. Specimens were sent to the Queensland Primary Industries InsectCollection (QDPC), and an accurate identification was made within 48 hours frominitial detection. This resulted in the Emergency Response action being terminated as S.biformis is already established in Australia. DNA barcoding was conducted onspecimens of S. biformis, as well as specimens of F. serrata that were sourced fromcolleagues in Reunion and South Africa for future reference. Reasons for what seems tobe an expansion of the host range by S. biformis in Australia are unknown, but thisincidence highlighted the industry’s preparedness to deal with a sudden pest or diseaseincursion. It also provides the first record of S. biformis attacking sugarcane inAustralia. The impact of S. biformis on sugarcane in Australia and its ultimategeographical distribution in canegrowing regions are yet to be determined.