Information gathered from this survey by Cesar Australia will help to update management recommendation, improving the best management practice advice and resistance management strategies for RLEM in WA.

RLEM is one of the most common and destructive of pests for southern Australian grain crops and pastures. In crops like wheat and canola, RLEM are of greatest concern during seedling establishment when the crop is most vulnerable, and damage during this period can result in substantial economic losses for growers.

To date, responses from WA have been low, and with the survey closing 5 February, growers and advisors are encouraged to contribute their feedback now so that tailored resources can be developed to improve management, especially in relation to insecticide resistance.

The survey is being led by Cesar Australia as part of the Grains Research and Development (GRDC) project ‘Future control options of RLEM in Australian grain crops'.

The wider project involves contributions from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the University of Melbourne and CSIRO.

Survey participants also receive early access to Cesar Australia's RLEM online training modules. The initial training module covers:
* RLEM and other pest mite identification
* RLEM distribution and reporting
* Host preferences and damage characteristics.

Research to date completed by Cesar Australia, in partnership with DPIRD and the University of Melbourne, has been vital in investigating new chemical and biological control options, the role that natural enemies play in the pest's population dynamics, as well as tools to increase confidence in seasonal RLEM risks and management options in WA.

The updated resistance management strategy will support WA grain growers in using a range of cultural and chemical control options for managing RLEM and reducing selection pressures that could drive further resistances evolving.

For more information regarding the RLEM survey, visit https://bit.ly/3KZaQlJ