Sustainable beetle lure set to protect Riverland almond orchards

ALMOND growers across the Riverland could soon benefit from a world-first, pesticide-free technology developed to help combat one of the industry’s most damaging pests, a breakthrough aiming to strengthen the region’s horticultural sector.

As one of Australia’s leading almond-producing regions, the Riverland and growers have long faced challenges managing the almond carpophilus beetle (Carpophilus truncatus), a pest that attacks ripening nuts and causes millions of dollars in crop losses nationwide each year.

In a major step forward, Agriculture Victoria research scientists have created a new lure that offers a sustainable, targeted way to monitor and control the pest.

Developed at AgriBio and trialled at the Mildura SmartFarm, the innovation has shown strong results in early trials across almond-growing areas, including the Sunraysia and Riverland regions.

Senior Research Scientist Dr Samantha Edlley said “the lure mimics natural odours that attract the beetle and draws it into a specially designed trap, allowing growers to detect and manage outbreaks early”.

“The lure uses a precise mix of synthetic pheromones and yeast odours that are highly attractive to the beetle,” Dr Edlley said.

“It’s designed to be very specific to this pest, which means it doesn’t attract or affect beneficial insects. It’s a new and sustainable tool for growers that could reduce the need for broad chemical sprays.”

When used as part of a mass trapping strategy, known as attract and kill, trials have shown the lure can reduce beetle damage by around 60 per cent, providing a valuable tool for integrated pest management.

“This breakthrough will help reduce pest-related losses, improving the long-term quality and profitability of Australian almond production,” Dr Edlley said.

With Riverland growers at the forefront of Australia’s almond exports, the lure’s development offers a promising way to strengthen both local productivity and environmental sustainability.

The lure is now being prepared for commercial release through Agriculture Victoria Services, with initial availability expected for monitoring in late 2026, and for attract and kill applications by 2027, pending approval from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

The research is part of the Almond Integrated Pest Management project, delivered in partnership with Agriculture Victoria, Hort Innovation, the Almond Board of Australia, and Agriculture Victoria Services.

“Almond growers across the country, including here in the Riverland, are already trialling the trap as a monitoring device,” Dr Edlley said.

“It’s helping them make more informed decisions about pest management and reduce the need for chemical intervention — a big step forward for sustainable production.”