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

  • Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) tunnells into trunks, stems and branches.

    Polyphagous shot-hole borer

    10 September 2021

    Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) Euwallacea fornicatus is a beetle native to Southeast Asia. The beetle attacks a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches.

  • Polyphagous shot-hole borer

    Be on the lookout for the polyphagous shot-hole borer

    10 January 2024

    Be on the lookout for the polyphagous shot-hole borer

  • Bull ant

    Ants: identification and control

    29 March 2017

    Early identification of important invasive and native problematic ants within Western Australia is critical to achieving successful control and preventing invasive ant species from gaining a footho

  • Live red imported fire ants crawling on a piece of wood.

    Red imported fire ant: declared pest in Western Australia

    10 October 2013

    Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is one of the most serious ant pests in the world and was found to be established in Brisbane, Queensland, in 2001.

  • European wasp: declared pest

    The European wasp is considered one of the worst wasps in the world - harmful to people, our outdoor lifestyle and to our horticultural and agricultural industries.

  • European house borer

    European house borer (EHB) Hylotrupes bajulus is a destructive pest of seasoned coniferous timber including pine, fir and spruce.

  • Australian plague locust sitting on grass.

    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.

    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.

  • NLIS help desk

    Boosting Biosecurity Defences: Royalties for Regions

    16 October 2014

    The Boosting Biosecurity Defences program is a collection of projects and activities that aim to increase Western Australia's capability to prepare for and respond to biosecurity issues affecting W

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