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

  • Typical OLB damage and symptoms on the lower (left) and upper (right) surface of leaves (cm scale on far left side). Some adult OLB’s are shown to indicate size.

    Olive lace bug in Western Australia

    17 October 2013

    The olive lace bug, Froggattia olivinia, is native to eastern Australia. It has become established in the olive growing regions of Western Australia.

  • Feeding by apple dimpling bug adults results in distorted fruit

    Managing apple dimpling bug

    17 March 2014

    Apple dimpling bug (Campylomma liebknechti) adults feed on developing fruitlets of apples, pears, nashi pears and occasionally summerfruit (stone fruit) resulting in distortion that makes

  • Sap exudate on the trunk of a grapevine from boring by common auger beetle

    Common auger beetle in vineyards

    17 March 2014

    The common auger beetle, Xylopsocus gibbicollis, is a native insect that attacks grapevines in the South-West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia.

  • a striped slug eating truffle

    Australian truffle orchard - integrated pest and disease management

    12 February 2020

    Two documents on Australian truffle orchard pest and diseases are available to download.

  • Adult looper moths are about 8 millimeters long and have a wingspan of around 15 millimeters. They are grey with brown bands across the wings and lay eggs singly. Photo courtesy J Horsnell , Charles Sturt Uni

    Apple looper: pest of apples and grapevines

    18 March 2014

    Apple looper (Phrissogonus laticostata) is a native insect that damages fruit in apple orchards and vineyards in the South West of Western Australia.

  • Foliage of red grape variety damaged by African black beetle turns red prematurely

    African black beetle in horticulture

    18 March 2014

    African black beetle (Heteronychus arator), is native to southern Africa. It has been present in Western Australia since the 1930s and occurs in the wetter coastal regions.

  • Cream-coloured cabbage centre grub has red/brown stripes and black head capsule

    Insect pests of vegetable brassicas in Western Australia

    5 September 2014

    Western Australia has many insect and mollusc pests (snails and slugs) that can affect the quality and yield of vegetable brassicas crops.

  • Garden weevil adults

    Garden weevil in vineyards

    13 March 2014

    Garden weevil (Phlyctinus callosus) was accidentally introduced into Western Australia from South Africa.

  • Euwallacea fornicatus lateral female

    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.

  • Native budworm trap

    Native budworm moth trapping in Western Australia

    23 January 2018

    Every year, at the end of July/beginning of August, volunteer farmers, agronomists and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) staff commence weekly pheromone trapping for

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