Helicoverpa spp. are arguably Australia’s most important insect pests, costing the

economy $200-300M annually. Significant advances in the management of

helicoverpa have been made since the last workshop in 1995.

A two day workshop at Toowoomba on 21-22 June 2004 provided an opportunity for

around 50 participants with interest in helicoverpa R,D&E from State Agriculture

Departments, CSIRO, Universities, R&D Corporations, consultants and industry to

discuss issues related to the management of these pests in grains, cotton and

horticulture. The first day involved a series of short review presentations to set the

scene, followed by questions and discussion from the floor. The second day

involved workshopping sessions to tease out priority issues, identify gaps and

provide direction for future research.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

(a) review the developments in R,D&E related to helicoverpa management in

Australia since the last workshop;

(b) review the role of extension in the development and implementation of Area-

Wide Management (AWM) programs by growers in north-east Australia;

(c) examine the prospects for successful AWM, and

(d) provide direction for future R,D&E requirements for these pests.

Whilst the focus of the workshop R,D&E concerned with advancing knowledge and

management capacity of Helicoverpa spp., there was some discussion about the

benefits that could accrue to industries or regions, or in managing other pest

species, from extending techniques used successfully with helicoverpa.