The 4th International Workshop on the Management of Diamondback Moth and other Crucifer Pests was held in Melbourne from 26th to 29th November 2001. Following the tradition of the previous three workshops in this series, entomologists and others involved with diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and the Brassica industry came together from many parts of the world.
The Workshop provided a forum to review the approaches taken to management of diamondback moth in many countries and, as the fourth workshop in a series, also provided a valuable opportunity for renewing acquaintances and extending the international research community that has developed around the study of this insect. Delegates considered some of the long-standing challenges involved with implementing integrated pest management and managing insecticide resistance, but also had the opportunity to discuss emerging issues such as the use of genetically modified Brassica plants and use of molecular methods to characterise diamondback moth populations to study origins and dispersal.
Diamondback moth has become a key pest in Australian horticulture in the last 15 years due to the development of resistance to synthetic pyrethroid insecticides. Most recently, Australian broadacre Brassica crops (canola in Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia; forage crops in Victoria and Tasmania) have also suffered extensive damage due to diamondback moth, particularly in times of drought. The Australian research effort on diamondback moth has increased in response to these challenges. In the vegetable industry, progress has been made in development and implementation of Integrated Pest Management programs. More challenges lie ahead as we endeavour to guide broadacre Brassica producers away from the insecticide treadmill, by directing research to more sustainable control methods and integrated systems. From this point of view, the year 2001 was a very appropriate time for the Workshop to be held in our country.
In these Proceedings, the workshop papers have been put into a standard format where possible. While papers have not been extensively peer-reviewed, some required a major effort of editing and every attempt has been made to retain the original meaning and views of the authors. All claims of commercial products and processes as well as opinions expressed do not imply endorsement by the editors or the organisers. The papers are presented in the following sections: Population variation and dispersal, Biology of DBM, Insect-plant interactions, Forecasting and sampling, Biological control, Insecticide resistance, Insecticides and Implementation of IPM.
The Workshop Organising Committee is very grateful to the sponsors of our Workshop, namely Dow AgroSciences LLC, Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment - Enhancing Science Networks Program, Syngenta Crop Protection Pty Ltd, Caltex Australia - Crop Protection Division, Organic Crop Protectants Pty Ltd, Amvac Chemical Corporation and Rotam Australasia. Their funds assisted us to bring eminent DBM researchers from around the world to attend as invited speakers. We thank Southcorp Wines Pty Ltd for providing a selection of fine Australian wines which were enjoyed by delegates at the Poster Session.
We also thank our Conference Secretariat: Bronwen Hewitt, Dominique Azzopardi, Jason Hewitt, Fiona Campbell, Michael Sullivan, Conference Management, The University of Melbourne.
Most importantly we thank the 93 delegates from 23 countries whose participation resulted in a rewarding and productive workshop. We hope this volume will be a useful reference for both new and seasoned researchers of the remarkable insect, the diamondback moth.
