Green Guard® is a biological pesticide based on Metarhizium, a naturally occurring fungus which is effective against locust and grasshopper pests.
"Australia is the first country to use Metarhizium operationally against locusts," says Dr Graeme Hamilton, head of the Australian Plague Locust Commission, part of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia. "We have demonstrated the potential of Green Guard® for biological control of locusts and this has generated great interest around the world."
Although equivalent products have been registered overseas, the collaboration here in Australia between the APLC, CSIRO and SGB Australia Pty Ltd (CSIRO's commercial partner in Wodonga) means that we are in a strong position to explore markets both locally and internationally," says Graeme Hamilton.
Dr Richard Milner, leader of CSIRO Entomology's insect pathology project, says that Green Guard® was successfully used in Australia last year.
"We can build and capitalise on the success of Green Guard® against the Spring 2000 locust plague," he says.
Pending full registration, Green Guard® is currently used under permit by the APLC to control locust outbreaks in its four member States both in the arid interior and in cropping areas. Currently, field trials are also underway in Western Australia.
"The factors which make Green Guard® attractive for locust control in Australia include its low cost, the absence of environmental effects especially on aquatic organisms and its suitability for use in organic beef areas and where the use of chemical pesticides is undesirable," Dr Milner says.
"Outside of Australia, the major locust problems occur in developing countries. The use of chemical insecticides in these areas can be harmful to local people," he says. "The major advantage of Green Guard® over chemical insecticides is that Green Guard® is a true biopesticide.
"The Metarhizium isolate we chose occurs naturally in the Australian environment," says Dr Milner. "Green Guard® will kill non-pest grasshoppers in addition to plague locusts, but will not spread from the area to which it is applied. Green Guard® is sensitive to UV and drying, so will not persist in the environment for longer than required."
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation is interested in Green Guard® and is currently considering the ecological consequences of using an exotic isolate, such as the Australian strain, in other countries.
Collaborative research is currently being undertaken in China, Mexico and Indonesia and this may lead to the use of Green Guard® in these countries or to the commercial production of their strains in Australia.
Further information from:
Dr Richard Milner CSIRO Entomology
+612-6246-4169
Dr Graeme Hamilton APLC
+61-26272-5727
+61-428-264-083
Media assistance:
Andrea Mettenmeyer
+61-26246-4240