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

  • Adult mango seed weevil on a mango that has been cut open

    Mango seed weevil: declared pest

    29 October 2013

    Mango seed weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae) is a serious pest of mango fruit.

  • Words 'Pest Detective' and hand drawn illustration of cute looking insects within a magnifying glass.

    Kids make great pest detectives

    17 March 2014

    You’ve probably seen adults stamp their big feet in frustration when they realise bugs have munched through the vegie patch and mould has spoiled their flowers.

  • Wild brown duck standing in a patch of green leaf vegetables.

    Insect pests of vegetables

    15 April 2014

    Various insects and mites can damage vegetables in home gardens at all stages of growth.

  • Crusader bug - adult and nymph

    Crusader bugs in citrus

    11 October 2013

    The crusader bug (Mictis profana) is an insect commonly found in citrus, with a wide distribution within Australia, Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific.

  • Green pods with brown marks caused by carob moth infestation.

    Carob moth

    23 September 2014

    Carob moth (also known as the date, almond, and locust bean moth) is a major pest of carobs in Western Australia (WA).

  • 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

  • Adult is 5mm long with white, black and grey patches

    Diagnosing pea weevil damage

    23 April 2015

    The pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum) is  in fact a beetle not a weevil and should really be called the pea beetle. It is one of the most damaging pests of field peas.

  • Green peach aphid (top), bluegreen aphid (centre), cowpea aphid (below)

    Diagnosing aphid damage in field peas

    23 April 2015

    Small soft-bodied winged or wingless insects that damage field peas grown in Western Australia  through transmission of viruses rather than direct feeding damage.  Main species are pea aphid (A

  • Vegetable weevil (top), desiantha weevil

    Diagnosing weevils in lupins and field peas

    19 January 2015

    Weevils are beetles with long snouts that can  rarely damage lupins in high rainfall areas. Species include:

  • Vegetable beetle adult

    Diagnosing vegetable beetle damage

    17 February 2014

    A widespread beetle is mainly a pest of summer crops, but has seriously damaged young canola in southern districts, especially when there has been a warm start to the growing season.

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