INVASIVE agricultural pest fall armyworm is rapidly spreading throughout northern Australia, and emergency permits for insecticide use have been issued to farmers.
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There have now been confirmed detections in Central Queensland and another in Western Australia.
The latest areas confirmed to have the pest include Emerald, Richmond, Clermont, Biloela and Mackay.
It has also been found at Katherine in the Northern Territory, Kunanurra in Western Australia and has since also been identified south of Broome.
The fall armyworm was first detected in Australia on two Torres Strait islands in January, before reaching the mainland at Bamaga in February.
It was then detected on a property in the Gulf country, and in South Johnstone, Tolga and Lakeland.
Last month, it was confirmed that the pest had been found in the Burdekin, Bowen and as far south as Bundaberg.
The exotic pest has the potential to wipe out agricultural crops, and at the larval stage feeds on more than 350 plant species including cultivated grasses such as maize, rice, sorghum, sugarcane and wheat, as well as fruit and vegetable and cotton crops.
A Department of Agriculture and Fisheries spokesman said the spread of fall armyworm was not unexpected as it is highly mobile and can fly long distances with suitable weather conditions.
He said the department was working collaboratively with industry to find ways to address the threat posed by the fall armyworm moth and its larvae to Queensland's agriculture industry.
"This includes establishing a moth surveillance network and addressing producer inquiries regarding identification and management of the fall armyworm pest."
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is also working with other government agencies and industry to ensure timely access to products to help manage the new pest.
They have issued more than 20 emergency approvals for farmers to use insecticides in various fruit, vegetable, nut, broadacre crops and nursery stock for the control of fall armyworm.
The products approved for fall armyworm involve a range of insecticides already approved for use by Australian producers in controlling other insect pests.
