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.

Articles

GRDC Research Updates 2017: Russian wheat aphid - where are we at with this pest in WA?

16 February 2017

Aim:

To provide an update to the Western Australian grains industry on surveillance for Russian wheat aphid (RWA) in WA and effective management should the pest be found in WA.
Pest management of bananas in the ORIA

26 February 2014

Bananas in the Ord River Irrigation Area face two major insect pests (banana weevil borer and sugarcane bud moth) and two mites (russet and two-spotted).
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.
Bee swarms

27 November 2013

The swarming process is part of the natural reproductive life cycle of honey bee colonies.
Avoid bee trouble

27 November 2013

Bees are becoming more of a problem because of the extension of residential areas into native bushland and the increase in the number of swimming pools, which attract bees, particularly in hot weat
Diagnosing diamondback moth

14 February 2014

The diamondback moth (DBM) caterpillar is a serious pest of brassicas that is difficult to control.
Asian longhorned beetle

29 July 2016

Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is a wood-boring pest that usually targets deciduous hardwood trees such as elm, willow, poplar, maple and a variety of fruit trees.
Rutherglen bug - economic considerations

25 July 2014

There are many economic and financial implications that need to be considered when choosing a management option. These may include:
Diagnosing locusts and grasshoppers in crops

4 December 2013

Chewing pests that can cause complete defoliation if populations are high enough.
Diagnosing cabbage white butterfly

14 February 2014

Larvae of cabbage white butterfly are often found in canola crops. The larvae consume leaves but numbers are very rarely high enough to cause serious damage to the crop.