Biosecurity

Biosecurity is fundamental for safeguarding our valuable agricultural resources against the threat and impacts of pests, weeds and diseases (pests).

Biosecurity is the management of the risk of animal and plant pests and diseases entering, emerging, establishing or spreading in Western Australia, to protect our economy, environment and the community.

To protect Western Australian agricultural industries from pests the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia:

Works with stakeholders to identify and manage biosecurity risks.
Develops legislation.
Establishes import controls.
Conducts inspections.
Provides quarantine services as required.

To find out more about what we do to protect agricultural production and export opportunities within the State please search our website.

Articles

African black sugar ant

28 April 2021

African black sugar ant, (Lepisiota incisa), is an invasive ant native to Africa.
Queensland fruit fly

6 February 2015

Queensland fruit fly (Qfly, Bactrocera tryoni) is considered to be one of the most serious pests of fruit and vegetables in Australia.
European house borer: Maps of Restricted Movement Zones

10 September 2014

Maps of Restricted Movement Zones (RMZ) are current and are subject to change. Please check back regularly.
Serpentine leaf miner : declared pest

3 December 2020

Serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza huidobrensis) is a tiny fly whose larvae (grubs) damage plants by tunnelling through the inside of leaves.
Brown marmorated stink bug: declared pest

21 January 2019

Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is a mottle brown coloured, shield shaped stink bug.
Codling moth: declared pest

11 April 2014

Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is a serious pest of apples and other pome fruit and has the potential to cause severe crop losses.
Glassy-winged sharpshooter: declared pest

16 September 2022

Glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) is a sucking leafhopper known to be a vector to bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes various serious plant diseases.
Spongy moth: declared pest

15 September 2022

The larval stage of Spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a severe defoliator of a wide range of broadleaved trees and shrubs. This pest is not present in Western Australia.
Australian plague locust: overview

21 February 2014

The Australian plague locust is a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.
Australian plague locust: identification field guide

21 February 2014

This article describes the main distinguishing features between Australian plague locusts (Chortoicetes terminifera) and other common grasshoppers/locusts.