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.

Articles

Portuguese millipedes

10 December 2013

Portuguese millipedes (Ommatoiulus moreleti) belong to a group of animals called Myriapoda (meaning many-legged), which also includes several native Australian millipedes and centipedes.
Citrophilus mealybug: declared pest

18 October 2013

Citrophilus mealybug (Pseudococcus calceolariae) is a serious pest of many horticultural crops that can downgrade fruit quality and affect fruit production.
Olive tree pests and diseases

7 April 2014

Keeping olive trees well-fed and adequately watered is the best initial defence against pests and diseases, since vigorous trees are better able to withstand attack and less likely to suffer long-t
African black sugar ant

28 April 2021

African black sugar ant, (Lepisiota incisa), is an invasive ant native to Africa.
Polyphagous shot-hole borer

10 September 2021

Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) Euwallacea fornicatus is a beetle native to Southeast Asia. The beetle attacks a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches.
Cabbage and turnip aphids: cabbage pests in Indonesia and Western Australia

11 November 2013

Cabbage and turnip aphids are relatively minor pests of cabbages in both Indonesia and Western Australia.
Whitegrubs: potato and cabbage pest in Indonesia and Western Australia

14 November 2013

Whitegrubs are a minor pest of potato and cabbage crops in Indonesia but can be very damaging in Western Australia.
Whitefly: potato and cabbage pest in Indonesia and Western Australia

14 November 2013

Whitefly is a relatively minor pest of potato and cabbage crops in both Indonesia and Western Australia.
Thrips: potato pest in Indonesia and Western Australia

14 November 2013

Thrips are a relatively minor pest of potato crops in both Indonesia and Western Australia.
Natural enemies of the pest potato leafminer fly in Indonesia

14 November 2013

Potato leafminer fly is a potato pest in Indonesia but does not occur in Western Australia. Natural enemies help control it.