Pests

Animal pests, both vertebrates (backbone) and invertebrates (no backbone), can have an adverse impact on agriculture, the natural environment and even our lifestyle. Animal pests may be exotic animals which are introduced, either accidentally or deliberately. Native animals may also be pests in certain situations.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development manages pests in Western Australia through policy development, risk assessment, research and development, provision of technical advice and information, implementation of regulation, emergency response, property inspections, industry liaison, and the planning and coordination of significant species control/eradication programs.

For advice on pests 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

Plant research trials map 2024-25

22 January 2018

In 2024, the department is conducting more than 250 research trials across the state for grains research and development, climate resilience, pastures, and horticulture systems.
Crop diseases: forecasts and management

11 December 2013

Information is provided here to assist management of diseases and viruses that occur in broadacre crops grown in Western Australia - cereals (wheat, barley, oats and triticale), pulses (field pea,
Identification of aphids in lupin crops

13 December 2012

Aphids reduce yields by direct feeding damage which causes flower and pod abortion and occasionally plant death in lupins.
Diagnosing mouse damage in narrow-leafed lupins

19 January 2015

Mice are seasonal pests that can affect any crop. Usually they favour paddocks with high stubble retention.
Management of aphids in Western Australian lupin crops

13 December 2012

The extent of damage varies between seasons, but losses can be severe in years that favour aphid population development.
Cockchafer damage to broadacre crops

14 October 2013

Cockchafers belonging to the genus Heteronyx are typically not regarded as a pest of agriculture. However, two have been seen as occasional pests, with H.
MyCrop how to video series

31 August 2016

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.
Diagnosing lucerne seed web moth in lupins and peas

19 January 2015

The larvae of the lucerne seed web moth (Etiella behrii - also called Etiella web moth) is an infrequent pest of peas and lupins.
Diagnosing onion maggot in lupins and peas

19 January 2015

Onion maggot (Delia platura, incorrectly known as bean root maggot fly) rarely affects young lupin and pea crops sown into green decomposing organic matter.
Diagnosing thrips in lupins

19 January 2015

Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) and plague thrips (Thrips imagines) are 2mm long, cigar shaped and range in colour from yellow-orange to dark grey.