Pest insects

Pest insects can have adverse and damaging impacts on agricultural production and market access, the natural environment, and our lifestyle. Pest insects may cause problems by damaging crops and food production, parasitising livestock, or being a nuisance and health hazard to humans.

Western Australia is free from some of the world's major pest insects. Biosecurity measures on your property are vital in preventing the spread of insects.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides:

  • biosecurity/quarantine measures at the WA border to prevent the entry of pest insects
  • where relevant post border biosecurity measures
  • advice on widespread pest insects present in the state.

For advice on pest insects search our website, the Western Australian Organism List or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).

For diagnostic services, please contact our Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

See Also

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Articles

  • Assessing invertebrate damage to truffles at harvest and grading

    6 June 2018

    Invertebrate pests can cause extensive damage to truffles.

  • Male medfly releasing pheromones

    Control options for backyards

    29 May 2018

    Medfly is a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, and is mandatory to control in some areas of Western Australia including Carnarvon, Armadale, Kalamunda

  • Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) is a serious pest of fruit and vegetables. Qfly have clear wings unlike Medfly which have brown bands on their wings.

    Biosecurity alerts: Queensland fruit fly updates

    2 May 2018

    Queensland fruit fly is not present in Western Australia, but is occasionally detected and requires an eradication response to contain and prevent further spread.

  • Yellow-winged locusts

    29 March 2018

    Yellow-winged locusts (Gastrimargus musicus) are native insects, distinguished by bright yellow wings, they are 35-50mm in length when mature and make a distinctive clicking noise when fly

  • Spray rig

    Insecticide spray guides for crops in Western Australia

    10 July 2017

    Up to date autumn/winter and winter/spring insecticide spray guides are provided by the department every year to help growers and consultants manage insect pests in canola, lupin and cereal crops.

  • European wasp: declared pest

    The European wasp is considered one of the worst wasps in the world - harmful to people, our outdoor lifestyles and to our horticultural and agricultural industries.

  • Adult Sycamore lace bugs, nymphs and honeydew on the back of a plane leaf

    Sycamore lace bug

    8 May 2017

    The Department of Agriculture and Food received a report via the MyPestGuide Reporter app in April 2017 of an insect which has been identified as Sycamore lace bug Corythucha ciliata. This

  • Meat ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus)

    Australian meat ants

    13 April 2017

    Australian meat ants (Iridomyrmex purpureus gp) are a native ant species.

  • The insect pest, tomato potato pysllid, on underside of leaf.

    Tomato potato psyllid interstate trade/market access information

    6 April 2017

    The Tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) has had significant market access implications for many Western Australian commodities.

  • Bull ant

    Ant identification is the key to successful control.

    29 March 2017

    Ant treatment and control options vary tremendously for homes, gardens, and businesses, depending on the ant species.

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