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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Mediterranean fruit fly

    Fruit fly

    13 November 2013

    Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) is a serious horticultural pest in Western Australia. It attacks a range of cultivated fruits and some fruiting vegetables.

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    Sweetpotato weevil: Declared pest

    6 April 2016

    Sweet potato weevil Cylas formicarius (Fabricius) is the most serious pest of sweet potato, not only in the United States, but around the world.

  • Western flower thrips

    Chemical control of western flower thrips

    16 December 2013

    Pesticides are often used to control western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) in horticultural crops. However, western flower thrips is regarded to be a 'pesticide-induced proble

  • Tiny radish flea beetles on a bok choy plant with a hand in the background, showing how tiny they are

    Radish flea beetle

    30 June 2015

    Radish flea beetle (Phyllotreta chotanica Duvivier 1892) is present throughout Asia and feeds on the leaves of cruciferous crops such as cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok choy, broccoli and

  • A field that has been ripped via rotary hoe for pre potato planting

    Mid West potatoes: seed production, pest and disease management

    7 November 2013

    Expansion of potato production into the Mid West for winter production is a real possibility by using seed of the correct physiological age and quality.

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