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 Agriculture and Food, Western Australia provides:

biosecurity/quarantine measures at the State 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 please search our website, Western Australian Organism List or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).

For diagnostic services, please contact our AGWEST Plant Laboratories or Animal Health Laboratories.

Articles

Insecticide spray guides for crops in Western Australia

31 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

22 September 2017

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.
Sycamore lace bug

22 June 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
Australian meat ants

15 May 2017

Australian meat ants (Iridomyrmex purpureus gp) are a native ant species.
Ant identification is the key to successful control.

16 May 2017

Most members of the public are unaware that ant treatment and control options vary tremendously for homes, gardens, and businesses, depending on the ant species.
GRDC Research Updates 2017: Russian wheat aphid - where are we at with this pest in WA?

13 June 2017

Aim:

To provide an update to the Western Australian grains industry on surveillance for Russian wheat aphid (RWA) in WA and effective management should the pest be found in WA.
Canola yield loss to green peach aphid, Geraldton 2016 trial report

13 June 2017

Green peach aphid feeding damage to flowering canola did not cause yield loss

Canola seed oil content also was not correlated to population density of green peach aphids
MyCrop how to video series

31 August 2017

This series of video tutorials has been produced to provide advice about the best ways to monitor and sample crops to diagnose and overcome constraints to crop production.
Declared Pest Rate

3 November 2016

The Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) allows a rate to be raised for purposes of controlling declared pests in prescribed areas.
Asian longhorned beetle

14 July 2017

Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is a wood-boring pest that usually targets deciduous hardwood trees such as elm, willow, poplar, maple and a variety of fruit trees.