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

  • Long tailed mealybug

    Mealybugs in citrus

    26 September 2013

    Mealybugs (family Pseudococcidae) are oval-shaped, segmented, soft-bodied insects covered with white, mealy wax. They are often found between touching fruit, under the calyx or in the 'navels' of o

  • Types of citrus with the blue sticker and WA birthmark symbol

    Citrus pests

    18 December 2013

    Find out more about the most common insect pests of citrus trees occurring in home gardens in Western Australia and their control using natural or low toxic chemical controls.

  • Coastal brown or big-headed ant seen under a microscope.

    Coastal brown ants, big-headed ants

    18 November 2013

    Coastal brown ants (Pheidole megacephala), also called big-headed ants, are a major nuisance ant species in Western Australia. They are an urban pest and are often seen in lawns and in bri

  • CLM larvae

    Citrus leafminer

    26 September 2013

    Citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, is the only leafminer attacking citrus in Australia.

  • Citrus aphids on trunk

    Aphids in citrus

    7 October 2013

    Four species of aphids on citrus are recorded in Australia but only two occur in Western Australia, the brown/black citrus aphid Toxoptera citricidus (Kirkaldy) and spiraea aphid, Aphi

  • Light brown apple moth female adult on a grapeleaf

    Epiphyas fruit moths in Western Australia – light brown apple moth and 'western fruit moth'

    4 March 2020

    A range of species of Epiphyas fruit moths occurs in WA. The most abundant are light brown apple moth, E. postvittana and 'western fruit moth' E. pulla.

  • Leaf eating ladybird larvae grow up to 8mm long and are covered in branched spines. They feed only on the upper leaf tissue which results in a windowed appearance

    Leaf eating ladybirds: potato pest in Indonesia and Western Australia

    10 January 2014

    Leaf eating ladybirds are a relatively minor pest of potatoes in Indonesia and Western Australia, but should be monitored.

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    Dried Fruit Beetle (Carpophilus)-pest of stone fruit

    13 April 2015

    Carpophilus, also known as driedfruit beetles, are a worldwide pest of fruits, both pre- and post-harvest, and grains.

  • Different pest weevils species

    Identifying soil beetle pests

    14 February 2014

    In the south-west of Western Australia, many types of beetles are found in pastures, broadacre and horticultural crops.

  • Purple flowers and green vegetation of a weed species Oxalis purpurea

    Pest and disease reporting and identification

    20 November 2013

    Pests, diseases and weeds can pose significant threats to Western Australia's production systems. 

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