SRA is collecting soldier fly larvae from all cane growing regions known to have this economic pest.

This month, Entomology Leader Dr Kevin Powell and Entomology Research Technician, Dr Samuel Bawa have been working in Mackay with the assistance of District Manager Central Dylan Wedel and District Delivery Officers Emma Burns and Jessica Borg. More than 800 larvae have been collected from sugarcane on 11 properties in four regions – North Coast, Pioneer Valley, Central and Southern.

The survey follows others conducted in Innisfail, South Johnstone and the Southern region. The aim is to identify the different species of sugarcane-feeding soldier flies and map their distribution. Molecular testing will be used to look at the genetic diversity of populations to improve future management in affected regions.

The project recognises that in the past most studies of soldier fly have focused on potential control options for only one species – I. rubriceps. However, several more  of sugarcane-feeding soldier flies have recently been identified – and SRA’s researchers want to find out if there may be more.

Reports of soldier fly damage in sugarcane are increasing. It only takes low numbers of soldier fly larvae to cause significant damage to sugarcane due to their ability to cause poor ratooning that ultimately leads to poor growth and reduced yield.

Soldier flies are known to have a complex life cycle of up to two years, unpredictable timing of outbreaks, relatively uncharacterised sugarcane varietal choice, and patchy distribution – all of which make research activities and management options challenging.

In order to test potential control options effectively and rapidly under controlled conditions, populations of soldier fly species will need to be reared in the laboratory. Trials to maintain soldier flies on an artificial diet are already underway.

A paper summarising research findings on soldier fly to date and details of the current project was presented at last year’s Australian Society of Sugarcane Technologists’ conference by Dr Kevin Powell.

(Above) Mackay District Delivery Officer Emma Burns, Entomology Research Technician, Dr Samuel Bawa and Entomology Leader Dr Kevin Powell wash soldier fly larvae from stools of cane collected from four regions across Central region

SRA Project 2022/004: Soldier fly diagnostics, distribution and development of an artificial diet is funded by Sugar Research Australia and the Department of Primary Industries.