Use of these endophyte options in hybrid and perennial rye-grasses is recommended where pests such as African black beetle and Argentine stem weevil are likely to be found.
Beneficial rye-grass endophytes such as NEA, NEA2, NEA4 and NEA12 provide long-term protection against important pasture pests in established rye-grass pastures.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Use of these endophyte options in hybrid and perennial rye-grasses is recommended where pests such as African black beetle and Argentine stem weevil are likely to be found.
Appropriate seed treatment is often required to aid establishing pastures.
Maxsyn NEA4 rye-grass at Yarram.
Chlorpyrifos insecticide is no longer available for general use in pastures
From September 2025, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority implemented significant changes in the registered uses for chlorpyrifos insecticide (aka Lorsban).
Spray options for control of white-fringed weevil, wireworms, and cutworms, are now very limited, with no registered in-crop insecticides registered for ABB or ASW.
Ellinbank endophyte trial site.
Options available
To assist with ABB and ASW, the following options should be taken up:
3. Selection of rye-grasses with suitable endophyte for pest management (long-term), and
4. Appropriate seed treatment for early pasture protection
African black beetle
NEA, NEA2, NEA4, NEA12 or AR37 endophyte offer control of ABB by reducing adult feeding and egg laying. They do not directly affect ABB larvae. No endophyte gives complete resistance, and all rye-grasses may still be subject to some level of damage.
Argentine stem weevil
NEA, NEA2, NEA4 and AR1 give some protection for ASW in newly sown pastures. Janthitrem endophytes such as AR37, NEA12, RGT18 do not offer seedling protection against adult ASW. Once established, diploid perennials containing NEA2, NEA4, NEA12, AR1, AR37 or RGT18 typically provide good ASW control. Tetraploid cultivars are often more susceptible to ASW.
Seed treatment – Poncho Plus
Emerging seedlings require protection until the developing endophyte establishes well enough to protect the grass.
Poncho Plus is registered on the following pests in grass pasture: lucerne flea, red-legged earth mite, blue oat mite, cutworm, yellow-headed cockchafer and African black beetle.
The grazing withholding period for Poncho Plus is six weeks for grass pastures, and eight weeks for pastures containing broad-leaved species such as clovers, chicory, or plantain.
19°C