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

  • The Department of Agriculture and Food is asking the community to look out for and report signs of citrus gall wasp.

    Citrus gall wasp in Western Australia

    2 July 2014

    Citrus gall wasp (Bruchophagus fellis) is a pest of citrus trees. Discovered in the suburb of Eden Hill in 2013 it is now an established pest in Perth.

  • Greenhouse thrips

    Thrips in citrus

    7 October 2013

    Thrips (Thysanoptera) are small, slender, soft-bodied insects, just visible to the naked eye.

  • Cottony cushion scale on young citrus tree

    Citrus pests, diseases and disorders

    8 November 2013

    Western Australia has a low prevalence of citrus pests and diseases compared to most other countries.

  • 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.

  • 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

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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.

  • 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.

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