OUR HOME IS GIRT BY SEA - BUT HOW WELL ARE WE PREPARED IN AUSTRALIA FOR EXOTIC CANE BORERS?

OF THIRTY-SIX exotic moth borer species recorded feeding on sugarcane, 22 have the potential to invade Australia and cause damage to sugarcane crops. This paper highlights the economic status, major host plants and geographical distributions of these pests, and provides a ranking of the threat posed by each exotic borer species to Australia. Seven key borer species have a high potential to invade Australia and cause significant losses to the Australian sugar industry; these are the noctuids Sesamia grisescens and S. inferens, and the crambids Chilo infuscatellus, C. auricilius, C. sacchariphagus, C. terrenellus and Scirpophaga excerptalis. The potential for incursion and establishment of any of these pests is high because of their geographical proximity to Australia and their status as major sugarcane pests in neighbouring countries. We also conducted a ?simulated incursion? exercise to test the industry?s and other agencies? preparedness for a borer incursion and concluded that Australia is well prepared to respond quickly to a sudden introduction of a cane borer or any exotic cane pest or disease. The expected roles of BSES, DPI&F, Northwatch, AQIS, Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer and Cane Productivity Services in dealing with an exotic incursion are highlighted.