Argentine stem weevil (ASW) is a pest of short-term ryegrass and...

Argentine stem weevil (ASW) is a pest of short-term ryegrass and perennial ryegrass Without endophyte throughout NZ. Adult ASW can damage establishing ryegrass, particularly cultivars with AR37 or Without endophyte. Seed treatment is important to protect new pastures.

Black beetle (BB) is a pest of free draining soils in the upper...

Black beetle (BB) is a pest of free draining soils in the upper North Island. Numbers vary widely from year to year, with root feeding larvae capable of causing severe pasture damage in summer.
Adult BB can decimate new grass sowings in autumn, and seed treatment is essential to protect these.

Black field cricket is a serious pasture pest in Northland...

Black field cricket is a serious pasture pest in Northland, Auckland, parts of the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Manawatu. It especially likes clay soils prone to cracking in dry summers.

Clover flea (CF) is present throughout NZ and is a particular...

Clover flea (CF) is present throughout NZ and is a particular threat to white clover and lucerne. Severe damage has been reported in parts of Northland, South Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Clover root weevil (CRW) is present throughout the North Island...

Clover root weevil (CRW) is present throughout the North Island and has been found in most of the South Island. Feeding exclusively on clover, it has a major impact on clover’s production and ability to fix nitrogen. A parasitoid wasp has been released in some areas as a biocontrol agent and has established well except in Northland.

Grass grubs (GG) are found throughout NZ. The larvae graze the...

Grass grubs (GG) are found throughout NZ. The larvae graze the roots of grass and clover causing poor growth and plant death, mainly from March-July. With severe damage, turf can be rolled back like carpet.

Pasture mealy bug (PMB) can be a serious pasture pest in...

Pasture mealy bug (PMB) can be a serious pasture pest in Canterbury areas, and is known to occur in Manawatu and Nelson.
PMB is a small insect found in the crown and on the upper roots of a range of pasture grasses, where it sucks the sap from the ryegrass. Unlike many other pasture pests, it was originally identified on native tussock grass and is endemic to New Zealand.

Plantain moth (PM) caterpillars have emerged as a significant...

Plantain moth (PM) caterpillars have emerged as a significant pest of plantain primarily in the North Island.

With increasing use of plantain in crops and pasture mixes PM populations are on occasion causing severe damage to plants, particularly in pure plantain crops.

Porina are found throughout NZ and attack most pasture species...

Porina are found throughout NZ and attack most pasture species including ryegrass and white clover. AR37 endophyte gives a level of protection.

Root aphid (RA) has become recognised as a pest relatively...

Root aphid (RA) has become recognised as a pest relatively recently and the damage it causes is not well understood.

Slugs are present throughout NZ and can rapidly cause severe...

Slugs are present throughout NZ and can rapidly cause severe seedling loss in establishing pasture and crops. Take particular care with spray-drill or direct-drilling where surface trash is present.

Tasmanian grass grubs (TGG) are found in the lighter soils of the...

Tasmanian grass grubs (TGG) are found in the lighter soils of the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Canterbury. Larvae graze pasture plants above the ground, killing plants and leaving bare patches.