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Bulletins 4000 - Research Publications
8-2009
Common regional pests of Western Australia
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
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Part of the Animal Diseases Commons, Biosecurity Commons, and the Parasitic Diseases Commons
Recommended Citation Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia. (2009), Common regional pests of Western Australia. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Perth. Bulletin 4771.
This bulletin is brought to you for free and open access by the Research Publications at Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Bulletins 4000 - by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Bulletin 4771 August 2009 Department of ISSN 1833-7236 Agriculture and Food Common Regional
of Western Australia Acknowledgments Contributors: Kate Ambrose, Isabel Arevalo-Vigne, Donna Barber, Julia Berney, Marie Bracks-Burns, Christine Castalanelli, Kristofer Collett, Peter Davis, Jon Dodd, Rob Emery, Phil Goulding, Darryl Hardy, Robin Hindson, Harald Hoffmann, Sandy Lloyd, Marion Massam, Nic Monzu, Suzy Norton, Greg Pratt, Femme Roberts, Andras Szito, Marc Widmer, Andrew Woolnough, Lisa Wright. Photographs: Photos sourced outside the Department of Agriculture and Food have been acknowledged at the bottom of the respective pictures. Unless stated otherwise, the photos used in this publication were supplied by the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Photographic Unit. Abbreviations: BAM Act 2007 Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 DAFWA Department of Agriculture and Food DEC Department of Environment and Conservation OJD Ovine Johne’s Disease PaDIS Pest and Disease Information Service
Disclaimer The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it. Declarations and recommendations were current at the time of preparation of the original publication. Copyright © Western Australian Agricultural Authority, 2009 Bulletin 4771 August 2009 ISSN 1833-7236
Common Regional of Western Australia
Department of Agriculture and Food Contacts details For most entries in this Bulletin, the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) has recommended two telephone numbers as your route to further advice. They are:
AgLine: 1300 725 572 This DAFWA telephone service is specifically for primary producers and agricultural consultants. For the cost of a local call from anywhere in Western Australia, the AgLine number provides access to specialists for information, support and advice on agricultural issues including crops, livestock and horticulture, from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. If the AgLine consultants require a sample, please refer to ‘Sending specimens for identification’ on page 59.
PaDIS: Freecall 1800 084 881 The Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) is an advisory service which operates from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. PaDIS is a community-oriented service whose clients range from home gardeners to people intending to travel interstate who require quarantine advice. Apart from having extensive experience, the PaDIS team has immediate access to the expertise of DAFWA’s entomologists, veterinarians, plant pathologists and invasive species consultants. If PaDIS staff require a sample, please refer to ‘Sending specimens for identification’ on page 59.
Other relevant services offered by DAFWA are: AGWEST Plant Laboratories*: The AGWEST Plant Laboratories test seed imported from interstate to determine if it is the species or variety stated on the label and to check for foreign seed or signs of disease. They also identify plants and test samples of soil in nursery stock to check for pathogens. For details see page 58.
Animal Health Laboratories*: The Animal Health Laboratories (Albany and South Perth) offer a range of diagnostic, research and advisory services including veterinary pathology, microbiology and parasitology. For details see page 57.
Quarantine WA*: Quarantine WA inspects items carried by private travellers and commercial freight arriving from interstate, and confiscates any quarantine risk material. There are road checkpoints at Eucla and Kununurra and amnesty bins on desert roads. Further checkpoints are located at Perth Domestic Airport and Broome, Kununurra, Karratha and Kalgoorlie airports. Quarantine WA inspectors also board the Indian Pacific train at Kalgoorlie and Perth. * Service may be subject to charges Contents
Introduction 1 Doublegee 29 Heliotrope 30 The Regions 2 Horehound 31 Rangelands 2 Mexican poppy 32 Northern rangelands 3 Narrowleaf cotton bush 33 Southern rangelands 3 Noogoora burr 34 Agricultural regions 4 Parkinsonia 35 Northern agricultural region 5 Paterson’s curse 36 Central agricultural region 5 Prickly pear 37 Southern agricultural region 6 Saffron thistle 38 South-west agricultural region 6 Salvinia 39 Metropolitan-Swan region 7 Skeleton weed 40 Thornapple 41 Vertebrate pests 8 Variegated thistle 42 Feral camel 9 Water hyacinth 43 Feral cat 10 Feral donkey 11 Insect pests 44 Feral goat 12 Australian plague locust 45 Feral horse 13 Granary weevil 46 Feral pig 14 Mediterranean fruit fly 47 Fox 15 Warehouse beetle 48 Rabbit 16 Animal parasites and diseases 49 Wild dog 17 Australian sheep blowfly (flystrike) 50 Corellas 18 Ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) 51 Emu 19 Sheep body louse 52 Galah 20 Sheep worms 53 Declared plants 21 Virulent footrot 54 Apple of Sodom 22 Cattle tick 55 Arum lily 23 Bathurst burr 24 Analysis and Identification Services 56 Blackberry 25 Animal Health Laboratories 57 Boneseed 26 AGWEST Plant laboratories 58 Bridal creeper 27 Sending specimens for identification 58 Cape tulip 28
Western Australia is free from many exotic animal and plant pests, diseases and weeds that are present elsewhere in Australia. However, the state does have some unwanted intruders. Of these, many are declared plants or declared animals which, for the sake of Our state convenience, we collectively call declared pests.
Most pests listed in this bulletin are declared under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976, which will in due Agricultural production in Western Australia varies according course be replaced by the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management to climate, rainfall reliability and soil type. Act 2007. Biosecurity is defined as the protection of the economy, environment There is extensive grazing, stretching from the north inland and human health from the negative impact of pests, weeds and down to the higher rainfall areas in southern parts of the diseases, and includes the management of invasive species if they state. The dominant land use in the northern pastoral zones is become established. grazing for cattle. Biosecurity is not just a border issue. It should also be observed within the state by practising commonsense measures such as Sheep production stretches from the north-west down to the ensuring our vehicles and footwear are clean and our clothing is free south-west. of weed seeds when leaving one property to visit another. Large-scale irrigation of intensive horticulture takes place in Note that the pests, weeds and diseases listed here were identified the subtropical north of the state, producing a range of tropical by Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) staff as the most common in their district. This does not imply that others do not occur fruits and speciality vegetables, as well as cotton and sugar there. cane. This Bulletin is intended to raise your awareness of the most common The major land use in the south-west is broadacre cropping. harmful pests, diseases and weeds you may encounter. Farming in the south-west contributes on average a third A useful identification guide, it also contains advice about where to turn of the nation’s wheat, a quarter of the nation’s wool and two- for further information on these pests and their control. thirds of the nation’s pulse crops. Fruit, vegetables, dairy and a flourishing wine industry are found in the higher rainfall areas along the south-west coastal strip. This high-rainfall zone also supports intensive grazing for meat production. The Regions • • • • • • • of Agriculture and Food for management purposes as: Pastoral and agricultural regions have been defined by the Department The Regions Metropolitan-Swan region South-west agricultural region Central agricultural region Southern agricultural region Northern agricultural region Southern rangelands Northern rangelands vested as western agricultural regions. About 42 per cent of 2.175the rangelands are Western Australian rangelands account for 87 per cent (about Rangelands further information. local Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) places.office can In give some areas effective control programs arevegetation, in place. Yourinterfere with stock mustering and blockInvasive access to tropicalwatering weeds compete with rangeland plants,impact shade on theout pastoralother industry and cause environmentalpigs damage. and wild dogs compete with and have the biggestIntroduced economic vertebrates such as feral camels, horses, donkeys, goats, meeting traditional social and cultural needs. historical connection to the land generate income fromis leasesbecoming while more common. Some Aboriginal communities withtourism, a conservation, timber production, horticulture onand pastoral aquaculture leases, although diversification into activitiespastoral suchleases. as Grazing of livestock represents thelivestock. major land In use Pastoralism is typically the extensive grazing of native vegetation by Murchison, Goldfields and Nullarbor. southern rangelands, which comprise the shrublands of thecomprise Gascoyne, the grasslands of the Kimberley and Pilbara;Two and the broad regions are recognised: the northern rangelands, which
million square kilometres) of the state, including all but the south-
pastoral leases.
Western Australia it occurs on Crown land held under Pests of the northern rangelands mainly bananas, mangoes and melons. T potential to become established. by tourists. Due to the climate, a large range ofvine exotic occur pestsaround have the Fitzroy the the northern rangelands are less suitable. Noogoora burruncommon and rubberas the conditions in food. Foxes and rabbits are pests compete with cattle for in summer. Large vertebrate or monsoonal wet seasons winter dry seasons and cyclonic from subtropical to tropical, with Kimberley. include the Pilbara and T Northern rangelands his region also includes the he northern rangelands diseases parasites and Animal Weed pests Vertebrate pests Contacts: Fax: (08) 9166 4066 email: [email protected] office: Phone: (08) 9166 4000 Derby office: Phone: (08) 9191 0333 Fax: (08) 9191 0334 Fax: (08) 9192 2946 email: [email protected] office: Phone: (08) 9194 1400 Fax: (08) 9185 3380 email: [email protected] office: Phone: (08) 9143 7000 T he climate ranges Cattle tick (Kimberley only); worms Noogoora burr; parkinsonia camel; feral cat; little corella; galah Wild dog; feral donkey; feral horse; feral pig; feral O R rd iver area and were probably brought in R iver Irrigation Area, which produces
Carnarvon. at the Gascoyne significant horticultural industry Goldfields and Nullarbor, and a the include the shrublands of T Southern rangelands Pests of the southern rangelands T small vertebrate pests such as direct economic impact than frequently, but have a greater vertebrate pests occur less from subtropical to arid. Large he southern rangelands here is an abundance of declared plants in these regions. these in plants of declared anabundance here is diseases parasites and Animal Weed pests Vertebrate pests
Gascoyne, Murchison, Contacts: Fax: (08) 9088 6034 Kalgoorlie office: Phone: (08) 9088 6033 Fax: (08) 9981 1571 email: [email protected] office: Phone:(08) 9981 1105 Fax: (08) 9941 8334 Carnarvon office: Phone: (08) 9956 3333 T he climate ranges R iver near Blowfly; sheep body lice pear; saffron thistle; thornapple; variegated thistleBathurst burr; horehound; Mexican poppy; prickly little corella; galah feral camel; feral pig; fox; rabbit; emu; feralWild dog;cat; feral goat; feral donkey; feral horse;
foxes and rabbits.
The Regions The Regions T state). of the state, an area of about 25 million hectaresfocus (or is 15specifically per cent on ofagricultural the practices within broadacrethe south-west cropping, part livestock production and intensiveT industries. Agricultural regions generally have broader environmental impact. strains require production research and management, production.but do not Issues such as increasing incursions of newcrops wheat in therust weevils and heliothis have cockatoos. Invertebrate pests such as diamondback moths,include grain rodents, deer, feral pigs and goats, and nativevertebrate parrots pests and and native animals. agricultural crops and landscapes, and compete with orIntroduced prey on andstock native animal pests damage native vegetation, regarded as a threat to natural ecosystems. can be significantly higher in some instances. Weed invasioncosts have is beenalso estimated at 20 per cent of productionpastures. costs Inand Western Australia’s agricultural plantsystems, pests weed compete control with native species and/or agriculturallandholders crops and andmanagers in the agricultural regions.Agricultural Introduced and environmental pests create significant problems for viticulture (both agricultural activities are increasing in popularity area,and include but mostlysilviculture, closer to Perth and regional centres.dairying, Alternative piggeries and feedlots are scattered throughoutwool production.the agricultural Intensive agricultural industries includingareas, primarilyhorticulture, involving cattle and sheep husbandry Livestockfor meat industriesand are more commonly found in the cropshigher include rainfall wheat and other grains, oilseeds and pulsestock crops.farming across a variety of soil and landscape types. Common he wheatbelt in the south-west supports broadacre, rain-fed crop and he agricultural regions are the areas where the land is used for
agricultural regions. Plant diseases also primarily impact
table and wine grapes) and small landholdings.
in the agricultural regions. R abbits and foxes are two of the most common
previously had significant impacts on O ther vertebrate pests T he Pests of the northern agricultural region declared plants in this region. and there is an abundance of some bird pests are common, rabbits, foxes, feral pigs and Vertebrate pests including Mediterranean. from marginal subtropical to Gingin. based around Geraldton and are small horticultural industries Morawa. Gingin in the south and east of spans from north of Kalbarri to T Northern agricultural region mainly broadacre farms. he northern agricultural region diseases parasites and Animal Insect pests Weed pests Vertebrate pests Contacts: T Fax: (08) 9651 1008 email: [email protected] office: Tel: (08) 9651 0555 Fax: (08) 9954 1115 email: [email protected] Springs office: Phone: (08) 9954 3333 Fax: (08) 9921 8016 email: [email protected] office: Phone: (08) 9956 8555 he climate ranges T his
region includes Blowfly; sheep body lice; worms ranean fruit fly; warehouse beetle Australian plague locust; granary weevil; Mediter skeleton weed; thornapple; variegated thistle Noogoora burr; Paterson’s curse; saffron thistle;seed; Mexican poppy; narrowleaf cotton bush; Arum lily; bridal creeper; Bathurst burr; bone long-billed corella corella; galah; feral cat; little corella; westernR T abbit; fox; wild dog; emu; feral pig; feral goat; here
- - Central agricultural region Pests of the central agricultural region declared plants in these regions. Newdegate, north of Southern roughly between Boddington, the central wheatbelt and is region covers a large part of T and there is an abundance of Vertebrate pests are common rainfall. dry summers and some winter Mediterranean climate with sheep. cereals and other grains, and farms which produce wheat, includes mainly broadacre north of Northam. Cross, north of Koorda and he central agricultural diseases parasites and Animal Insect pests Weed pests Vertebrate pests Contacts: T Fax: (08) 9865 1282 Lake Grace: Phone: (08) 9865 1205 Fax: (08) 9881 1950 email: [email protected] office: Phone: (08) 9881 0222 Fax: (08) 9041 1138 email: [email protected] office: Phone: (08) 9081 3111 Fax: (08) 9622 1902 email: [email protected] office: Phone: (08) 9690 2000 he area has an arid T his region Blowfly; sheep body lice; worms Australian plague locust; granary weevil stemless thistle Paterson’s curse; saffron thistle; skeleton Boneseed;weed; bridal creeper; Cape tulip; heliotrope; galah; western long-billed corella R abbit; fox; wild dog; feral pig; emu; feral cat;
The Regions The Regions Pests of the southern agricultural region R starling eradication program is underway in the Esperance and are present and there is an abundance of declared plants. A Some feral camels (around Esperance), deer, rabbits and foxes winter rainfall and some summer rain. Barker. viticultural and dairy industries around Albany, Denmark(deer, and Mountgoat, emu farms, etc.), some horticultural, alternative and sheep farms as well as T from Walpole to Israelite Bay. strip along the south coast covers roughly a 250 km wide T Southern agricultural region his region includes wheat he southern agricultural region avensthorpe shires. diseases parasites and Animal Insect pests Weed pests Vertebrate pests Contacts: T Fax: (08) 9083 1100 email: [email protected] office: Phone: (08) 9083 1111 Fax: (08) 9835 1101 Jerramungup office: Phone: (08) 9835 1177 Fax: (08) 9821 3334 Katanning office: Phone: (08) 9821 3333 Fax: (08) 9841 2707 email: [email protected] Albany office: Phone: (08) 9892 8444 he region has a cooler Mediterranean climate with mainly Blowfly; sheep body lice; virulent footrot; worms ranean fruit fly Australian plague locust; granary weevil; Mediter thornapple thistle; water hyacinth; salvinia; skeleton narrowleafweed; cotton bush; Paterson’s curse; saffronbridal creeper; Cape tulip; doublegee; heliotrope;Apple of Sodom; arum lily; blackberry; boneseed; feral camel R abbit; fox; feral pig; wild dog; emu; feral cat;
- South-west agricultural region Pests of the south-west agricultural region industries such as wheat and sheep region includes a number of intensive southern fringes of Perth to Walpole. covers the south-west corner from the T an abundance of declared plants. along with some deer occur and there is with high winter rainfall. T viticultural and dairy industries. alternative (deer, goat, emu farms, etc), farms, beef, horticultural, orchards, he south-western agricultural region his region has a Mediterranean climate and diseases Animal parasite Insect pests Weed pests Vertebrate pests Contacts: Fax: (08) 9733 2377 Waroona office: Phone: (08) 9733 7777 Fax: (08) 9777 0001 Manjimup office: Phone: (08) 9777 0000 Fax: (08) 9780 6136 email: [email protected] Bunbury office: Phone: (08) 9780 6100 Blowfly; sheep body lice; virulent footrot; worms Granary weevil; Mediterranean fruit fly water hyacinth thistle; salvinia; thornapple; variegated thistle;narrowleaf cotton bush; Paterson’s curse; saffronseed; bridal creeper; Cape tulip; heliotrope; Apple of Sodom; arum lily; blackberry; bone R R abbit; fox; feral pig; galah; corellas abbits, foxes T his
- Pests of the Metropolitan-Swan region Australia. risk of any exotic pests, weeds or diseases establishing in Western and vehicles, the Metropolitan-Swan region presents the greatest Due to the high frequency of overseas and interstate ships, planes infested with Mediterranean fruit fly. abundance of declared plants. aviary birds. Weeds include many garden escapes, and there is an vertebrate pests may have originated from escaped pets includingsuch as rabbits and foxes, some In addition to common pest animals winter rainfall. Mediterranean climate with moderate industries. emus and camels) and viticultural (e.g. alpacas, deer, Dorper sheep, groves), specialised livestock farms alternative small landholdings (e.g. market gardens and orchards), horticultural enterprises (e.g. nurseries, number of intensive industries such as radius of Perth. roughly the area within a 50 km T Metropolitan-Swan region he Metropolitan-Swan region is and diseases Animal parasites Insect pests Weed pests Vertebrate pests Contacts: T Fax: (08) 9474 2405 email: [email protected] Perth office: Phone: (08) 9368 3333 his region has a hot T his area includes a Blowfly; sheep body lice; worms Granary weevil; Mediterranean fruit fly water hyacinth thistle; salvinia; skeleton weed; variegated thistle;narrowleaf cotton bush; Paterson’s curse; saffronseed; bridal creeper; Cape tulip; heliotrope; Apple of Sodom; arum lily; blackberry; bone R abbit; fox; feral pig; corellas; galah T he inner metropolitan area is heavily
olive
-
The Regions Vertebrate pests
Vertebrate pests in Western Australia include non-native and native animals (mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians). They have either originated from different areas of Australia (e.g. rainbow lorikeets, eastern long-billed corellas), or come from overseas (e.g. donkeys). Many vertebrate pests were imported deliberately into Australia, both legally and illegally, for pastoral production, transportation, pets (e.g. Indian ringneck parakeet), pest control or simply to make early settlers feel more ‘at home’. In addition, a few have been imported accidentally, for example in cargo. Some species (e.g. fox and rabbit) were released into the wild legally, others (e.g. goat and pig) escaped domestication or captivity, and some were released illegally. Vertebrate pests have many impacts. Some species cause significant damage to crops and seriously affect livestock industries by preying on stock, competing for pasture or causing severe land degradation by promoting soil erosion, water muddiness and the spread of weeds. Many species threaten the survival of native plants and animals through competition, habitat destruction and predation. Pest animals may also act as reservoirs for diseases that affect native wildlife, domestic stock or people. Note that it is an offence to abandon, allow or fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent the escape or release of animals that are declared pests, including many aviary birds, domestic rabbits, deer, and feral pigs and goats. For further information about which species are declared pest animals see the latest version of the List of Declared Animals by visiting the department’s website at www.agric.wa.gov.au/vertebrate pests • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: further information? email [email protected] for information on control options. mustering and ground or aerial culling. Contact PaDIS on Freecall 1800 084 881 or Feral camels are declared pests. Control options to manage them include fencing, What do I do if I find a feral camel? remain close to water sources such as waterholes, movebores vastand cattledistances troughs. following natural landscapes. InFeral dry seasons, camels occupycamels thetravel rangelands less ofand WA, particularly the Whenarid andinterior, where am whereI likely they broken by fighting or nearby, damaging the soil and drowning in them. FeralFences camelsand other damage infrastructure waterholes bycan contaminatingbe them withWhat damage can camels neck. A fully-grown adult camel stands 1.8 m at thebetween 450 and 650 kg. It is grey brown with a darkerT hump, shoulder and back of the What does a feral camel look Camelus dromedarius Feral camel he one-humped camel, the only species feral in Australia, is a large animal weighing Invasive Animals C Department of Agriculture and Food —
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Vertebrate pests Vertebrate pests • • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methods and further references:Where do I find more information? research and management activities to reduce the impacthumanely of feral as possible. cats in WA. enquire about local laws for cat control. If the catwhether is feral, the cat it isshould feral be orcontrolled domestic. as If it is a domesticFeral catscat, arecontact not the declared local shireanimals. to If control is being Whatconsidered, do I dofirst if determineI find a feral cat? as a burrow, hollow log or rock pile. Feral cats are solitary and predominantly nocturnal, spendingWhen the and day where in aam shelter I likely such to see this to native wildlife, livestock and humans. mammals on the mainland. Feral cats can also carry diseasesislands, which as well may asbe beingtransmitted a major factor in unsuccessfulFeral attempts cats have to re-introducecaused the smalldecline and in some cases the extinction of nativeWhat wildlife damage canon feral cats the wild. settlement in WA, cats have been escaping from captivitythe two. and Theestablishing most common themselves coat colour in for a feral catFeral is striped cats looktabby. the sameSince as the domestic first cats, because there areWhat no does differences a feral between cat look Felis catus Feral cat Invasive Animals C publications/tap/cats08.htm Australian Government — western-shield/back-from-the-brink/cat-control.html Department of Environment and Conservation — R T C — he Department of Environment and Conservation conducts www.feral.org.au/content/species/cat.cf www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ Fe l
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Vertebrate pests Vertebrate pests • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: more information? Freecall 1800 084 881 or email [email protected] apply forin someinformation areas, conductedon control by options.either DAFWAtrapping. or AerialDEC. shootingContact PaDIS is particularly on effective inFeral inaccessible goats areareas. declared pests. Control methods include shooting,What do musteringI do if Iand find a feral goat? agricultural areas. stay closer to water. water is scarce. During the autumn and winter breedingoccupy smallerseason or home during ranges drought when conditionsthey are good, butFeral a largergoats livearea inwhen herds food separatedor into males and females for much of thewhere year. scrub and forest provide protection and make ofmanagement feral goats difficult. also occur in some reserves in the higherT rainfal areas of the south-west When and where am I likely to see this which can be transmitted to sheep. animals and livestock for food, water and shelter.through Feral seeds goats in their potentially dung. Particularly carry footrot, during droughtscause theyerosion can andcompete prevent with nativeregeneration. Feral goats impact on native vegetation through soil damageWhat anddamage overgrazing can feral which goats can cause? diverging horns. of reasons. Feral goats, therefore, vary in appearance. Males (or billies) have long populations are descended from these and from animals introduced later for a variety partially white. Goats arrived in Australia with the first European settlers. Current feral Goats are variable in colour, but generally a high of proportion a flock willbe at least What do feral goats look Capra hircus Feral goat here are herds of feral goats in most southern rangelands areas. Isolated populations Invasive Animals C Department of Agriculture and Food — O R ccasionally stray domestic or farmed goats may be encountered in C — www.feral.org.au/content/species/goat.cf
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Vertebrate pests | Animal pests • Visit the following website for up-to-date control methods Whereand further do I references:find further information? wa.gov.au for information on humane control measures.control is undertaken. Contact PaDIS on Freecall 1800Feral 084 horses881 orare email declared info@agric. pests. Strict animal welfare guidelinesWhat do mustI do beif followed I find awhen feral horse? regions, with small mobs also present in the south of the state. the main concentrations of feral horses are in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Goldfields T When and where am I likely to see this and troughs. major nuisance to pastoralists because they disturb feralcattle mustershorses are and not.damage Feral fences horses have few predatorsWhile cattleand diseases.can be de-stocked to preserve pasture andconsuming breeding nativestock during vegetation drought, and possibly excluding Environmentalkangaroos from impactspreferred include habitats. fouling waterholes, increasingWhat erosion, damage cantrampling feral andhorses cause? wild. domestic horses which strayed, were abandoned or wereFeral deliberately horses look releasedthe same intoas domestic the horses, because theyWhat are doesdescended a feral from horse look Equus caballus Feral horse hey live in a variety of habitats, but are best adapted to open grassy plains. In WA, Invasive Animals C R C — F www.feral.org.au/content/species/horse.cf E R H AL
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Vertebrate pests Vertebrate pests • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: more information? or email [email protected] for informationlandholders on controlmay be options.in operation in your area. ContactCoordinated PaDIS oncontrol Freecall programs 1800 arranged 084 881 by DAFWA orFeral DEC involvingpigs are declaredgroups ofpests. Control methods include shooting,What do trapping I do ifand I poisoning.find a feral pig? areas north of Perth and around the larger Kimberley adjacentriver systems. farming areas of the south-west. except dry inland areas. several square kilometres around a water supply.than Feral a dozen pigs are are rare. found Boarsin most usually habitats, live alone.Most Individuals live in orgroups groups comprising may forage one orover more sows and T their litters. Groups of more When and where am I likely to see this or forest litter, causing habitat degradation. sources and compete with livestock for feed. Feral pigs prey on newborn lambs, reduce crop yields, damageWhat fences damage and can water feral pigs cause? heavy horny plaque under the shoulder. snouts, heavier forequarters and shorter backs. Boarsor develop piebald, prominent while those tusks in long-establishedand a populationsFeral are generallypigs vary darkerin appearance. with longer What do feral pigs look Sus scrofa Feral pig he distribution of feral pigs in the landscape is dependent on water and food availability. Invasive Animals C Department of Agriculture and Food — R C — T hey prefer thick cover such as is found in the jarrah forest and
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pest? hey dig up pasture and soils, grasslands m 1 4 s photo: Grun2000 Grun2000 photo: T • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: more information? on control options. Contact PaDIS on Freecall 1800 084 881 or email [email protected] for may information be in operation in your area. Coordinated control programs arranged by DAFWA orFoxes DEC involving are declared groups pests. of Control methods include shooting,What baiting do I door iftrapping. I find a fox? agricultural regions, but are also found in urban and semi-urban areas. variety of habitats throughout WA except for tropical regions. early autumn when they become more mobile. Foxes are found extensively in a Most foxes are seen in late spring when cubs emerge, and during late summer and When and where am I likely to see this weeds and diseases. suppress other pest animals such as rabbits by predation.predominantly Foxes young may alsolambs be and carriers kids and of free range poultry.Foxes areFoxes, a major however, threat to maynative help species. What damage can foxes feet. red to deep reddish brown, but lighter on the undersideFoxes and arehave members black oflower the canidlegs andfamily which includes dogs Whatand wolves.does a fox look Vulpes vulpes Fox hey are about a metre in length including the tail and weigh between 4.5 and 8 kg. Invasive Animals C Department of Agriculture and Food — T hey have slender heads, pointed muzzles, large erect ears and long bushy tails. R C —
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Vertebrate pests Vertebrate pests • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: more information? on control options. Contact PaDIS on Freecall 1800 084 881 or email [email protected] for withinformation local government rangers and neighbours.areas. O operation in your area. control programs arranged by DAFWA or DEC involvingand agroups combination of landholders of control may methods be in are the keys declinesto long butterm should control. be followedCoordinated up with other controlsmyxomatosis to remove and survivors. rabbit haemorrhagic Persistence disease ( or destruction, rabbit-proof fencing, and cage trapping.R Biological controls such as What do I do if I find a rabbit? are highest in late winter and spring when offspringR emerge. When and where am I likely to see this turfed areas. soil erosion. results in severe localised degradation of both pastureduring andsummer bush orreserves dry seasons. and significant R What damage can rabbits cause? distinctive white tail which is evident when they hop or run. R What do rabbits look Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit front legs, long ears and large eyes. Adults are 1 to 2 kilograms in weight. abbits are declared pests. Control methods include baiting, warren fumigation, ripping abbits are common in the agricultural regions and southern rangelands. abbits compete with livestock and many native animals for food resources, particularly abbits are typically grey-brown with a pale belly. ccasionally stray domestic or pet rabbits may be encountered in urban or semi-urban Invasive Animals C Department of Agriculture and Food — T hese are usually of different colour and/or size, and they are best managed in T hey also damage horticulture and vegetable crops, and home gardens and R C —
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Vertebrate pests Vertebrate pests • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: further information? on control measures and to report large numbers. Freecall 1800 084 881, DEC on 9334 0333 or emaillegal [email protected] situation with DEC on 9334 0333 for before information undertaking protected any control. under theContact PaDIS on Emus are declared pests. However, because they are aWhat native do Ispecies, do if theyI find are an also emu? which runs from north of Kalbarri, east to Yalgoo and south to Southern Cross. and the Nullarbor. Emus are a potential problem all along the State Barrier Fence, vegetation grows after rain. waterholes, river pools, stock troughs and dams. They favour flats where fresh Emus occupy a wide range of habitats, but remain within 20 km of water at When and where am I likely to see this pastoral and wheatbelt properties and break through,through they causecrops. substantial When many damage.hundreds gather along the StateEmus feedBarrier on grain;Fence between however, major damage occurs whenWhat large damage groups can walk emus or cause? run Immature birds are downy and striped and lack the blueblack skinwith onblue the skinhead. on the throat and sides of the 31head. and Emus 48 kg. have three large toes. Emus are large, flightless native birds up to 2 metres Whatin does anheight emu look and weighing between Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu with-wildlife/index.html Department of Environment and Conservation — Department of Agriculture and Food — T he body feathers are greyish brown in colour and the head and neck are Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 T
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Vertebrate pests Vertebrate pests • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methods and further references:Where do I find further information? undertaking any control. 1950 are native species, all corellas are also protectedLittle under and the western long-billed corellas are declared pests. WhatHowever, do I do becauseif I findthey a corella? Mandurah, and around Bunbury and Busselton. billed corellas that have originated from aviaries(Boyup occur Brookin the to Perth Lake Metropolitan Muir and area, (Dongara to Narrogin, spreading south-east) and a smallT part of the south-west interior Gascoyne, Murchison and parts of the northern wheatbelt,well and asthey human are dwellings. spreading Insouth. WA, little corellas occurCorellas naturally prefer in grassythe Kimberley, woodlands and Pilbara, grasslands, including Whenpasture and andwhere crops, am Ias likely to see these pests? Victoria and damage a variety of crops. and chew wiring and other fittings. Eastern long-billedtrees corellas and causing are well-known noise pollution. pests in areas, melons and sweet corn. All three species canfacilities. damage home Littlegardens, corellas defoliating damage sunflowers, sorghum,planted maize, trees chickpeas and may and, eat in stock southern feed. Western long-billed corellas damage newly sown oat crops,What horticultural damage cancrops, corellas newly cause? corellas have a distinctive long upper mandible and red neck slash. the wings and tail, and a pink area between the eye and bill. Eastern long-billed to Victoria). Corellas are white cockatoos with a blue eye-ring, a yellow wash beneath corellalittle (both are WA native species) and the eastern long-billed corella (native T What does a corella look Cacatua sanguinea; Cacatua tenuirostris; Cacatua pastinatorCorellas he western long-billed corella naturally occurs in two areas; the upper south-west hree species are present in Western Australia: the western long-billed corella, the with-wildlife/index.html Department of Environment and Conservation — Department of Agriculture and Food — , administered by DEC. Check the legal situation with DEC on 9334 0333 before
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Declared plants Declared plants Contact AgLine on 1300 • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: more information? Large plants, including roots, should be grubbed out. but is easier in spring and summer. A number of toherbicides control areit. registeredControl can (detailsbe achieved below). almost any timeApple ofof yearSodom is(depending a declared on plant the location),in some locations. LandholdersWhat aredo Irequired do if Iby find law apple of Sodom? hay, or in machinery and by animals chaff. and silage dispersed be Plain. It may Swan Coastal the on lines creek and woodlands grazed wastelands, in common It is inland. further occasionally and Augusta Busselton, around and late and summer. spring germinate in Yanchep from found It is to Mandurah to flowering from August perennial February.Seeds awoody is of Sodom Apple When and where am I likely to see this seldom eaten by stock due to its prickles and bittershading taste. out pasture plants. restricting the movement of farm animals and machinery,Apple of providing Sodom forms cover dense for thickets rabbits whichand interfere with farmWhat management damage can by apple of Sodom cause? star-shaped flowers have prominent yellow stamens.10 The berry is yellow when mature. stems, branches, leaves and flower buds are all spiny.Apple of Sodom The isleaves, a stiff, which prickly may shrub, grow overgrowing to 2 m orWhat more does in appleheight of and Sodom width. look Solanum linnaeanum Apple of sodom email
Department of Agriculture and Food — cm in length, are deeply lobed, with prickles on both surfaces.
[email protected] for control information.
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Declared plants Declared plants Contact AgLine on 1300 • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: more information? plant is actively growing. A some areas, eradicate it. Control should be done in Bathurstsummer, burr before is a flowering,declared plant. when Landholders the are requiredWhat by lawdo Ito do control if I findit and Bathurst in burr? Goldfields where it is mainly a pasture and rangelandthe weed. woody burrs may remain dormant for several years.survive It well into winter, resulting in burrs beingBathurst found burrfor mostis a ofsummer the year.annual. InSeeds south in When and where am I likely to see this lower price, because the burrs are difficult to removepalatable during but processing. older plants are not eaten. Wool contaminatedBathurst burr with seedlings Bathurst are burr poisonous, attracts especiallya the cotyledons.What Seedlingsdamage can are Bathurst quite burr cause? numerous hooked spines. pronged, greenish white underside. It usually grows to 45 cm high butBathurst can reach burr 1.2 has a short, branched habit and narrow, dividedWhat darkdoes green Bathurst leaves burr with look a Xanthium spinosum Bathurst burr inconspicuous. It produces egg-shaped burrs about 10 email Weeds of National Significance — Department of Agriculture and Food —
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Declared plants | Terrestrial weeds Contact AgLine on 1300 Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: more information? control is most effective during active growth from Septemberon the species to January. of blacberry. A number of herbicides arebiologically registered during (see active below). growth; Chemicalhowever, the laweffectiveness to control of andthese in controlssome areas, depends eradicate the plants.Rubus fruticosus Several species can be controlled Most blackberries are declared plants (depending on locationWhat – seedo websiteI do if below),I find blackberry? and and creek-lines and in wetlands and disturbed forestry areas. species growblackberry in high rainfall areas between Perth and Albany along rivers especially foxes, eat the fruit and may seeds transport some distance. Different suckers from lateral roots resulting in large clumps over time. Birds and mammals, flowersBlackberry from December toMarch. Itspreads by seed, rooting of tips and When and where am I likely to see this rabbits and foxes, and prevents access to rivers,sites. walking Blackberry trails occupiesand recreational valuable summer-moistfacilities. pastureis avoided land, providesby most covergrazing foranimals and spreads quicklyBlackberry over is paddocks a vigorous and perennialtree planting with dense foliage which shadesWhat damage out pasture can blackberry plants. cause?It segments. 1–3 cm across, green ripening to red then black and composedThe flowers of numerous are up smallto 3 cmjuicy wide with five white orcomprise pink petals. three orThe five fruit leaflets are globe-shaped, with toothed margins,hairs. dark green on the upper surface. stems are mostly arching, green, reddish or purple,Blackberry ribbed lengthwise, is a semi-deciduous with or scrambler without to 2 m high with canesWhat up to does 7 mblackberry long. look R. anglocandicans, R. rugosus Rubus laudatus Blackberry email • • •
T [email protected] for control information. Weeds of National Significance — Weeds C Department of Agriculture and Food — he plants are covered with straight or curved thorns, 3–12 mm long. and R agg. is a Weed of National Significance. Landholders are required by C weed management guides — R. fruticosus
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Declared plants Declared plants Contact AgLine on 1300 • • Visit the following websites for up-to-date control methodsWhere and furtherdo I findreferences: more information? implemented. Contact AgLine on 1300 below). required by law to eradicate the plants. A numberBoneseed of herbicides is a declared are registered plant and (see a Weed of National Significance.What do LandholdersI do if Iare find boneseed? locations from Kalbarri to Esperance. types and tolerates a wide range of climates. It hasBoneseed been foundis found in higherall year, rainfall, but inlandflowers in late winterWhen and and spring. where Itam growsI likely in most to soilsee this prevent regeneration and reduce biodiversity. fleshy seeds are spread by birds. It forms dense thicketsBoneseed isthat an smotheraggressive native coloniser plants, of roadsides and disturbedWhat native damage vegetation.can boneseed Itscause? clustered at the end of branches. (petals) surrounding a few yellow disk florets. Flowers are up to 3 cm in diameter and numerous flowers aretypical daisy flowers with five or six bright yellow ray florets leaves about 5-7 cm long and smooth except for a tuft of downy hair at the tip. Boneseed is an erect shrub to 3 m with dull green, irregularly serrated, paddle-shaped What does boneseed look Chrysanthemoides monilifera Boneseed email email Weeds of National Significance — Department of Agriculture and Food —
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Declared plants Declared plants Contact AgLine on 1300 • Visit the following website for up-to-date control methods Whereand further do I references:find more information? infestation. A spreading within and outside their property. Cape tulips are declared plants in some locations. LandholdersWhat must do preventI do if theI find weed Cape tulip? east to Kalgoorlie. similar habitats over the same geographic range as Insteadone-leaf Capeit develops tulip, butcormils also in extends the leaf axils and aroundTwo-leaf the parent Cape tulipcorm. flowersIt is found in late in winter and spring, but It does notagricultural produce seeds. region. west. It is particularly abundant in the Avon and Swansame time.valleys It andis commonparts ofin thepastures southern and open, disturbedO bushland throughout the south- When and where am I likely to see this the plants. poisonous to stock, but animals used to grazing in infestedBoth species paddocks overrun usually land, avoid greatly eating reducing the amount ofWhat pasture. damage Cape can tulipCape tulipis cause? flowers are two or even three leaves which are folded, ribbed,from linear one-leaf and upCape to tulip 80 cm bylong. a scaly covering around T the corm and by the fact that it has drooping above the flowers. Yellow flowered forms have been found. like perianth segments. sheathed corm. The orange to salmon pink flowers with yellow centres have six petal- O What does Cape tulip look Moraea flaccida Cape tulip email wo-leaf Cape tulip ( ne-leaf Cape tulip seeds germinate in autumn and plants regrow from corms at the ne-leaf Cape tulip ( Department of Agriculture and Food —
[email protected] for control information.
salmon pink with a green-dotted yellow centre.
number of herbicides are registered (see below). and Moraea miniata
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T he Contact AgLine on 1300 • Visit the following website for up-to-date control methods Whereand further do I references:find more information? registered (see below). are required to control it and prevent its spread. A number of herbicides are Doublegee is a declared plant in some locations. Where it is declared, landholders What do I do if I find doublegee? the south-west are generally light and scattered. infestations occurring in the northern wheatbelt. Infestationssummer. along Doublegee the southis established coast and throughoutin the agriculturalfirst true areas,leaf stage with andthe continues heaviest as long as the plantDoublegee survives, germinates usually in until autumn. the end of When and where am I likely to see this of the spiny seed capsules which cause lameness in animals.competes strongly with useful pasture plants. Dense largeinfestations enough amounts produce tolarge cause numbers poisoning. It is deep Doublegeerooted and contains drought oxalic tolerant acid and which is toxic, but it is usuallyWhat damage not eatencan doublegee by stock cause? in terrestris into anything. It is sometimes confused with the summer-growingflowers in the weed leaf caltrop base. ( The woody fruit has threeplants. rigid spines,It well adapted for sticking Doublegee is a hairless annual, usually prostrate, but growingWhat does upright doublegee if among look other Emex australis Doublegee email Department of Agriculture and Food —
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Declared plants Declared plants Contact AgLine on 1300 • Visit the following website for up-to-date control methods Whereand further do I references:find more information? be made to ensure it is not spread. A number of herbicidesbecoming establishedare registered and reducting (see below).existing infestationsresponsible is the goalfor theand preventionall efforts must of movement of allHeliotrope parts of theis aplant. declared Preventing plant in someit locations. In those Whatareas, do landholdersI do if Iare find heliotrope? germinates rapidly after summer rain. roadsides and other disturbed sites in the south-west,Heliotrope and the flowerseastern inGoldfields. summer andIt autumn. It is abundant Whenin paddocks, and where firebreaks, am I likely to see this by stress, long after stock have been removed fromgrazed infested heliotrope areas. following Paterson’s curse the seldomprevious seen winter. unless stock Death have is grazedoften triggeredheliotrope forbecause more than damaged one liverseason orcells they cannot have regulate copper levelsliver damagein the leadingblood. Symptomsto jaundice, are photosensitisationHeliotrope and, indirectly, contains poisonous copper alkaloids.toxicity If stock eat enoughWhat they damage may suffercan heliotrope cumulative cause? hairy on the outside. They undersides. The small, white, tubular, 2–3 mm longhairy, flowers elliptical have a andyellow 1.5–9 throat cm long and and are 1–3 cm wide, with prominent veins on the paler Heliotrope is a fast growing, summer annual growing to 10–50What cm doeshigh. heliotrope look Heliotropium europaeum Heliotrope email T green stems are covered with short white hairs. he fruits consist of a group of four wrinkled brown nutlets. Department of Agriculture and Food —
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Declared plants Declared plants Contact AgLine on 1300 • Visit the following website for up-to-date control methods Whereand further do I references:find more information? below). to control and, in some places, eradicate it. A numberMexican of herbicidespoppy is aare declared registered plant (seein some locations. LandholdersWhat aredo Irequired do if Iby find law Mexican poppy? also present in some agricultural areas. Gascoyne pastoral areas, mainly along river systems,Mexican moist poppy flats flowers and sand mainly dunes. in Itspring is and is widely distributedWhen and in wherethe Pilbaraam I likely and to see this milling or stock feed. with pasture. hay or chaff. Mexican poppy competes vigorously with crops and to a lesser extent because the spiny plant is not readily eaten. Stock can die when eating contaminated Mexican poppy is poisonous to stock, but few deaths occur under fieldconditions What damage can Mexican poppy cause? pale yellow. divided leaves are very prickly and often blotched withMexican white. poppy The is flowers a prickly, are cream robust, to greyish upright annualWhat up doesto 1 Mexican poppy look Argemone mexicana Mexican poppy email Department of Agriculture and Food —
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Declared plants Declared plants • Visit the following website for up-to-date control methods Whereand further do I references:find more information? 1300 on AgLine 725 572Contact or PaDIS Freecall 881 on 1800 or 084 Skeleton the Weed under with program. dealt be to immediately reported be must found plants All plant. Skeleton adeclared weed is What do I do if I find skeleton weed? sites in some urban areas. land. It is found at low density across the wheatbeltDecember region andand mayoccasionally continue in until disturbed May. Skeleton weedstems generally develop frominvades the centreagricultural of the rosettes in spring.although Flowering they can usuallydevelop starts at almostin any time of yearR in response to rainfall. Flowering When and where am I likely to see this crop yields and its wiry stems may interfere with harvesting.during cultivation. Seeds allow long distance spread.wheatbelt. Dense stands It cannoticeably form large reduce populations by reproducingSkeleton from rootweed fragments is a serious dispersed crop weed capable of establishingWhat across damage the can entire skeleton weed cause? locations. T yellow flowers occur directly along the stem and aretinged. either Smaller solitary leaves or in small sometimes clusters. occur among the branchesbetween of40-120 flowering mm stems.long and The 15-45 mm wide, deeply atoothed few rigidand oftenhairs purpleat the base. Skeleton weed produces slender stems up to 125 What does skeleton weed look Chondrilla juncea Skeleton weed [email protected] sightings. to report he seeds have a parachute of white bristles which carries them on the wind to new osettes are generally formed from the roots in autumn and dry off during the summer, Department of Agriculture and Food — T he leaves forming the basal rosette are spear shaped, Skele
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Declared plants | Terrestrial weeds Contact AgLine on 1300 • Visit the following website for up-to-date control methods Whereand further do I references:find more information? and growth stage (see below). Chemical control is the best treatment. infestations is the goal and all efforts must be made to ensure that it is not spread. prevention of movement of all parts of the plant. Prevention and reduction of T What do I do if I find thornapple? settlements in the Kimberley, the Pilbara, the GascoyneIt is andan infrequentin the south-west. weed of horticulture in Perth andThornapple naturalised flowers on wastelandduring summer. around Seeds germinate in lateWhen spring and where and earlyam I summer.likely to see this the stock through contaminated hay and chaff. Children severalhave been poisonous poisoned alkaloids, after eating but is rarely grazed byT stock. However, thornapple can kill What damage can thornapple cause? containing yellow, brown or black, kidney shaped seeds. rounded and between 3–5 10–20 cm long and white, cream or purple. with wavy margins and between four and 15 points. The flowers are large trumpets a shrub-like habit up to 1.5 m in height. T What does thornapple look Datura Thornapple email hornapple competes strongly with pasture crops for light and moisture. It contains hornapple is a declared plant. he six weed species of thornapple are bushy annuals or short-lived perennials with Department of Agriculture and Food —
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Declared plants Declared plants with prickly margins and white patches creating a variegatedacross, then appearance. sends up sparsely branched stems to 2 m. Contact AgLine on 1300 • Visit the following website for up-to-date control methods Whereand further do I references:find more information? number of herbicides are registered (see below). it. All efforts must be made to avoid spreading it and to reduce existing infestations. A plants and landholders are required by law to control and, in some areas, eradicate Variegated thistle is a declared plant. What do I do if I find variegated thistle? rainfall areas of the lower south-west, and also nearflower Northampton. until the second year. An agricultural andVariegated forestry weed, thistle it isflowers mostly fromfound late in high spring to early summer,When and wherebut in am some I likelycases may to not see this T and grazing animals spread variegated thistle when spinesthe seeds may are injure caught animals, in their including coats. domestic pets. Variegated thistle competes with useful pasture plants Whatand isdamage toxic can to variegatedstock. Its numerousthistle cause? barbed hairs up to 2 solitary purple flower heads are surrounded by long spiny bracts. Each seed has a tuft of Variegated thistle is a large annual or biennial thistleWhat that does first variegated forms a rosette thistle up lookto 1 Silybum marianum Variegated thistle email he plant also provides cover for rabbits. Department of Agriculture and Food —
[email protected] for control information.
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Declared plants Insect pests
Although insect pests are much harder to control than vertebrate pests, Western Australia has managed to stay free of a number of potential insect pests which are present overseas or even in the Eastern States. As a state, we successfully eradicated incursions of codling moth (a very damaging pest on apples), Queensland fruit fly and European wasps. These pests are present in the Eastern States, and the latter intrudes into Western Australia regularly. The European wasp campaign is the best example of how pests can be eradicated with the help of the public. In 2004, due to the vigilance of observant home gardeners and other members of the public, over 120 European wasp nests were traced and destroyed. This section describes some common insect pests in regional Western Australia. If you see anything unusual or unfamiliar, please report your sighting to the Pest and Disease Information Service on 1800 084 881, preferably accompanied by a sample of the pest. More information about insect pests can be found at www.agric.wa.gov.au
44 • • Contact DAFWA: • Visit the following website for further references: Where do I find further information? potential for locusts to form damaging swarms. may be able to carry out strategic control in the worstreported affected to AgLine areas onto 1300 diminish the prevent pasture and crop damage.locusts? Large egg plague beds andLandholders locust populations shouldAustralian carry can out find be monitoringI if anddo hopper I controldo on What their properties to by the second generation enter a resting phase whichthree enables weeks them to to hatch over-winter. and will only hatch if sufficientdepending soil onmoisture climatic is conditions.present. EggsEggs laid laid by the firstsoil generationtemperatures require begin atto leastrise in spring. AdulthoodTwo may take generations four to occur eight annually. weeks Nymphs of the first Whengeneration and where appear whenam I likely to see this pest? sporting grounds, orchards, vineyards and gardens. following summer rain. Swarms also damage intensiveripening horticultural cereals enterprises,in early summer, summer pasturesAdult and greenlocusts pasture will eat growth almost any green plant material, Whatbut cropsdamage most can at Australian risk are plague locusts cause? grasshoppers, which usually occur at the same time. is the only feature which distinguishes Australian ofplague green locusts to brown. from winglessAt colouration on the inside of the hind legs. pronotum, the dark blotch at the outer edge of the Distinguishinghind wing and featuresthe cadmium are red the x-shaped marking onT the upper surface of the like? look locust plague Australian an does What Chortoicetes terminifera Australian plague locust he Australian plague locust is a native insect. Search for ‘ Department of Agriculture and Food — AgLine on 1300 PaDIS on Freecall 1800 Australian plague locust
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Insect pests Insect pests • Contact DAFWA: • Visit the following website for further references: Where do I find further information? area and keeping foods clean and dry. bury deep in the soil. Discourage granary weevils by disposehaving ofa well-ventilatedinfested foods in storagesealed containers or plasticLocate bags and forisolate garbage the removal,source of orinfestation and quickly Whatget rid do ofI it.do ifIf Iregulations find granary permit, weevil? will be longer. provided with a food source. At lower temperaturesproducts they suchlay asfewer wheat, eggs rye, and barley, the lifecycle oats, rice andGranary corn weevilsat any timecan be of seen year in whenfood storage facilities, infestingWhen and mostwhere stored am I likelyfood to see this product unpalatable. other insects. germinate may produce a weak seedling, vulnerable Infestationsto attack by moulds,can reduce bacteria the weight and and quality of grain. is easily recognisable by the presence of these largemonth exit when holes. the adult chews through the seed coat andexternal emerges. evidence Weevil-damaged that the grain larvae have been growingGranary inside weevil the seed larvae until develop after aboutinside a the kernels of storedWhat seeds. damage can granary weevil cause? Weevils in the pupa stage have snouts like the adults.T millet or milo maize, granary weevils are small butthorax in are grains elongated such as rather corn they than are round larger. or irregularly the shaped.rice weevil In small the granarygrains, weevil such as lacks pale markingsGranary on itsweevil elytra, is and brownish the pits black on theand about 2.5–5 mm long, withWhat a slender does a snout.granary weevil look Sitophilus granarius Granary weevil • he larvae are legless, humpbacked and white to creamy white, with a small, tan head. Search for ‘ Department of Agriculture and Food — AgLine on 1300 PaDIS on Freecall 1800 T granary weevil he grain can also be tainted with white, dusty excreta which make the
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T here is generally no 46 U nlike photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series Slide Extension Cooperative -USDA University Clemson photo: • • Contact DAFWA: • Visit the following website for further references: Where do I find further information? four to five days. soaking unwanted fruit and fly-infested fruit in water,Control is totopped be withcarried a layerout by ofthe kerosenelandholder. for Fruit flyWhat populations do I do ifcan I be find minimised Mediterranean by fruit and strict quarantine restrictions apply for the Kununurra area. gardens. The Ord River Irrigation Area is currently free from Mediterranean fruit fly areas Mediterranean fruit flycan be seen in orchards and in fruit trees of home temperatures exceed 12°C, and usually inactive below this temperature. In many Mediterranean fruit fly is found year round. In winter adults are active when When and where am I likely to see this the fruit flesh, causing it to decompose. susceptible. The fruit fly deposits eggs under the skinIn ofWestern ripening Australia fruit. The stone larvae fruit, feed pomeon fruit, citrus,Mediterranean loquats and fruit guavas fly isare known particularly to infest more than 200 Whatfruit damageand vegetable can Mediterranean species. fruit appearance. two light coloured rings. Irregular patches of blackwith and distinctsilver browngive thebands thorax extending a mosaic to the tips. The adult fly is3–5 mm long, slightly smaller than a house fly.What does Its awings Mediterranean are mottled fruit fly look Ceratitis capitata Mediterranean fruit Search for ‘ Department of Agriculture and Food — AgLine on 1300 PaDIS on Freecall 1800 mediterranean fruit fly
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Insect pests Insect pests • • Contact DAFWA: • Visit the following website for further references: Where do I find further information? have warehouse beetle on your property contact AgLinein onWA) 1300 that identification should be carried out Warehouseby an entomologist. beetle looks If youso similarbelieve to that Khapra you beetle (a Whatquarantine do I dopest if that I find is not warehouse present beetle? year. hand grain sacks and corrugated cardboard. Larvae mayassociated be seen anytimewith residues. during the Warehouse beetle is a persistent pest of grain storage Whenand handlingand where structures, am I likely usually to see this could generate allergic reactions in sensitive people.skin casts. Warehouse beetles and their larvae contaminate stored food products with theircereal bristly products such as processed animal feeds, rolledand barley sunflower and oats, seeds, and paddy on canola. rice remnants and fish food.Larvae The attack beetle a wide also range thrives of on products including cereal, vegetables,What damage flour, can warehouse carrot, tomato beetle be as obvious as the larvae. Adult beetles have a short lifespan of seven to 10indistinct, days. whitish bands across the wing covers. Deadbristles, insects whichmay begives greyer them ain hairycolour. appearance. Warehouse beetle larvae are 5–8 mm long and covered with thickWhat reddish-brown does a warehouse beetle look Trogoderma variabile Warehouse beetle Freecall 1800 Search for ‘ Department of Agriculture and Food — AgLine on 1300 PaDIS on Freecall 1800 T he
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In the following pages are descriptions of some parasites and diseases of sheep and cattle that Western Australian livestock owners need to be aware of. Livestock owners can find more information about animal parasites and diseases at www.agric.wa.gov.au
49 Animal parasites and diseases • • Contact DAFWA: • Visit the following website for further references: Where can I find more information? per the label and check the withholding periods for meatmost andof thewool. maggots. occur, shear wool off the affected area plus a 5 cmor band crutching, around orthe pre-treatingwound to remove high-risk mobs before breedingthe seasonal and wave.culling canIf flystrikereduce the incidence.does PreventContact flystrike AgLine onby 1300timing shearing and/ Checking for flystrike and treating infested sheep is theWhat responsibility do I do if of Iflock find owners. flystrike? when it is warm and humid. Flystrike can occur all year round but is most prevalentWhere during and the when spring does andflystrike autumn occur? animal welfare issue. process wool, including China, due to environmental inconcerns. chemical Flystrike and labour is costs.also anPesticide residue testingFlystrike is being is done estimated by countries to cost which the Australian wool industryWhat $280 damage million can annually,flystrike mostlycause? local tissue damage. After hatching, the maggots feed on the sheep for three to four days causing severe sheep blowfly. The female deposits eggs in warm andmoist patches onthe sheep. The main species of blowfly that initiates about 90 per centWhat of doesall strikesflystrike is the look Australian Lucilia cuprina Australian sheep blowfly (flystrike) Search for ‘ Department of Agriculture and Food — AgLine on 1300 PaDIS on Freecall 1800 flystrike
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5 0 photo: FIR0002 photo: • • Contact DAFWA: • Visit the following website for further references: Where can I find more information? T months. Vaccination and flock management will minimiseis no thetreatment. impact of the disease. OJD is a notifiable disease which should be reported to yourWhat private do I doveterinarian. if I find OJD? There introducing Running a closed flock and maintaining good boundary fencesAsk for will a reduceNational the Sheeprisk of Health Statement to reduce the risk of buying infectedsheep, sheep. particularly in spring, should arouse suspicionsan ofinfected sheep shows signs of the disease. of the state. There is about one per cent of flocks infected, mostly foundWhen in and the wherehigher does rainfall OJD occur? areas Death rates of adult sheep may be less than one per centWhat or asdamage high canas 15OJD cause?per cent. sheep with an increased number of deaths of adult sheep.are thin and do not respond to treatment. intestinal wall reducing the animal’s ability to absorbO nutrients from food. Affected animals What does OJD look Mycobacterium paratuberculosis Ovine Johne’s disease can also result in reduced wool production. here are no regulatory controls on infected properties. JD is a chronic wasting disease of sheep and goats, which causes thickening of the Search for ‘ Department of Agriculture and Food — AgLine on 1300 PaDIS on Freecall 1800 O O JD. JD has a long incubation period and it may take three to four years before OJD O nce weight loss has started, death occurs generally in three to four
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Animal parasites and diseases Animal parasites and diseases • • Contact DAFWA: • Visit the following website for further references: Where can I find more information? to inspect. wool rubbed with sheep choose so population, removes the at half shearing as least wool months’ six than less with sheep on find to are difficult sheep. Lice introduced checking and isolating T to prevent re-introduction. procedures implement and biting, and frequently, they if are rubbing especially sheep Check owners. of flock responsibility the is treating infestedand animals sheep sale on for lice Checking residues. pesticide minimise and infestations to prevent procedures treatment and 1300on 725 cost-effective 572 regarding T What do I do if I find sheep lice? conditions. survival is 36–37°C, which is the approximate skin temperatureshearing and of buildsheep upunder as woolmost length increases. Lice can affect sheep all year round in Western Australia.When Numbers and wheredecline do following sheep body lice occur? are also an animal welfare issue. strategies will affect the profitability of wool productionand production, businesses. increased Severe costs infestations associated with chemicalThe use presence and preventative of lice can result in considerable fleece damage.What Reduced damage wool can qualitysheep body lice cause? Immature lice are smaller, lighter in colour andto have wool fibresless obvious close tobands the onskin their surface body. and will moveAdults away are fromabout the 1.6 light mm when long exposed.with a pale brown body andWhat dark do bands. sheep body lice look Bovicola ovis Sheep body louse he presence of lice does not need to be reported. Woolgrowers can contact AgLine AgLine Woolgrowers contact can to not reported. be need does of lice he presence Search for ‘ Department of Agriculture and Food — AgLine on 1300 PaDIS on Freecall 1800 sheep lice
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Animal parasites and diseases Animal parasites and diseases • • Contact DAFWA: • Visit the following website for further references: Where can I find more information? antibiotics. owners can de-stock or control virulent footrot by footvirulent bathing foortrot and/or in vaccinationsummer when andthe bacteria will notOwners survive of infected in the soil.flocks Alternatively,can choose to eradicate by inspecting and culling sheepquarantined. with DAFWA inspector, who will take samples for laboratoryVirulent testing. footrot Infected is a notifiable properties disease. are If you suspect Whatvirulent do Ifootrot, do when contact I find a footrot? sheep with signs of footrot to determine if the signsabove are 10°C due to and virulent there oris moisturebenign footrot. to soften the hoof.the sheep’s It is necessary feet wetto sampleand soft, and andtest at times of yearIt is whenmore averageprevalent daily on farmstemperatures in medium-to-high are rainfallLess than areas one onper pastures cent of whichfarms keep in Western Australia areWhen infected and where with doesvirulent virulent footrot. footrot occur? painful, crippling condition which should be preventedincreased on animal mortality, welfare flystrike grounds. and reduction in fertility.Virulent In footrot its advanced can result stages, in itsignificant is a loss of body weightWhat damageand wool can production, virulent footrot cause? foot is affected. foot and leading to lameness. Virulent footrot is a contagious disease of sheep and goats,What damaging does virulent the horn footrotof the look Dichelobacter nodosus Virulent footrot the junction of the skin and horn in between the digits of the foot. Search for ‘ Department of Agriculture and Food — AgLine on 1300 PaDIS on Freecall 1800 virulent footrot
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. U sually more than one 54 Agriculture and Food veterinarian or AgLine on 1300For 725more 572.information about cattle tick, contact your local Whereveterinarian can I find or Departmentmore information? of treatments for tick control, inspection and documentation.movement out of the tick areas (the Kimberley) isyour prohibited local veterinarian without appropriate or the Departmentdip of AgricultureIf you and find Food evidence veterinarian. of cattle tick All outsidecattle of the gazetted WhatKimberley do I tickdo ifarea, I findcontact cattle tick? confined to the Kimberley region. Cattle tick distribution varies according to the extent of Wherethe wet and seasonwhen doesbut iscattle generally tick occur? T not previously exposed to cattle tick. Cattle tick also transmit tick fever, which can kill cattle, especially cattleover brought time. in and Cattle, particularly from heavy infestations. tick fever commonly known as ‘red water’. Calvescausing and animalsintense inlocal poor irritation, condition can severe die blood loss Cattlewith anaemia,tick infestation and diseases can affectsuch as animal condition and reduceWhat production. damage can cattle tick cause? over their body. region (arm pit), shoulder, dewlap and in theinfested ears. Heavily cattle willinfested have cattle ticks will present have around ticks thealland tail increase area, ingroin, size scrotum, as they belly,suck blood axillary from about 5cattle x 8 aremm tofemale, 8 x 13 as malesmm. Lightly are much smaller. Femalean oval cattle to ticks rectangular are a darkbody, grey and colour a short, straightCattle snout. ticks have pale cream legs, a wide space between theirWhat firstdoes cattlepair oftick legs look and snout,like? Boophilus microplus Cattle tick ick bites on cattle hides reduce hide values. Bos taurus Bos indicus (British and European) breeds are more susceptible. (tropical) breeds, develop some resistance to cattle tick CA TT T LE ICK T he ticks most people see on 55 T his can be by photo photo © State of Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Economic Employment, of Department Queensland, of © State Development and Innovation, 2009 Innovation, and Development
Animal parasites and diseases Analysis and identification services
56 • veterinary immunology Animal Health Laboratories • fee for service testing — all services, including veterinary Animal Health Laboratories (AHL) provides a variety of services from it consultancies, are offered to the public on a full cost recovery basis laboratories at South Perth and Albany, including testing for diagnosis, in line with National Competition Policy. Fees and charges are export accreditation and disease eradication. AHL also carries out reviewed annually. new test development, research on livestock disease and parasitic conditions and provides laboratory support for research on animal Service fee exemptions apply to suspect exotic and notifiable production. diseases, specified diseases and government approved programs, and outbreaks of diseases likely to provide new information or an improved As well as its diagnostic services, the South Perth laboratory also understanding of animal health in Western Australia. houses the Australian and OIE Reference Laboratory for Bovine Tuberculosis. Specialist expertise AHL is NATA ISO/IEC 17025 accredited in the field of veterinary testing AHL has highly skilled expertise in a number of veterinary specialities for the following classes of tests: bacteriology, mycology, other micro- for which it offers advanced testing and consultative services including: organisms, virology, parasitology, serology of infection, biochemistry, • animal disease diagnosis and investigation toxicology, anatomical pathology, histopathology, electron microscopy, • veterinary mycobacteriology, especially bovine tuberculosis and prions and necropsy. Johne’s disease Contact details • veterinary parasitology, especially control of internal parasites of sheep South Perth Laboratory • ovine footrot diagnosis and virulence testing Tel: (08) 9368 3351 • veterinary toxicology Fax: (08) 9474 1881 • veterinary virology Locked Bag 4 • diagnosis and investigation of diseases in aquatic species (in Bentley Delivery Centre association with the Department of Fisheries Western Australia). WA 6983 AHL carries out laboratory testing for: Albany Laboratory • diagnosis of disease in domestic animals, wildlife and aquatic Tel: (08) 9892 8444 species for both private and government clients Fax: (08) 9892 8564 • health certification of animals destined for live export from Australia 444 Albany Highway • export hay testing Albany WA 6330 • animal disease control programs • Bovine Tuberculosis Freedom Assurance Program AHL services • targeted surveillance to support risk assessment and zone freedom Animal Health Laboratories offers a range of diagnostic, research and from animal diseases in Western Australia advisory services across a number of scientific disciplines including: • research and development capability to support animal health and • veterinary pathology — including necropsy, histopathology and production programs. electron microscopy • veterinary microbiology — including bacteriology, virology, mycology and mycobacteriology • veterinary parasitology • veterinary biochemistry — including analytical services in nutrition and toxicology. 57 AGWEST Plant Laboratories assists in determining potential new threats from introduced plants. AGWEST Plant Laboratories provides a range of services which Insect identification are critical to maintaining productivity, sustainability and resource Some insects pose a significant threat to agricultural production protection. The laboratory team has comprehensive experience of local while other species are beneficial. Accurate identification facilitates conditions as well as the benefit of close associations with research appropriate pest management and assists in determining potential new agencies locally, nationally and internationally. threats from introduced insects. Clients who consult the AGWEST Plant Laboratories include farmers, Seed schemes seed producers and merchants, nursery owners, orchardists, marker The Western Australian Certified and Registered Seed Schemes are gardeners, turf producers, viticulturists, cut flower growers, landscapers, industry cooperative initiatives administered by DAFWA. Certified exporters and importers. and Registered Seed meets defined standards of quality. The result provides confidence in all sectors of the seed trade for both horticultural Contact details and broadacre species. AGWEST Plant Laboratories Tel: (08) 9368 3721 Fax: (08) 9474 2658 Sending specimens for 3 Baron-Hay Court South Perth WA 6151 identification Services Correct identification is central to effective control of pests and diseases Seed testing and to detect new exotic pests and diseases. DAFWA’s identification The AGWEST seed testing laboratory is accredited by the International process can be made much easier if specimens are freshly gathered Seed Testing Association. The quality of seed lots is assessed through and undamaged. Alternatively, email digital photographs to info@agric. tests which can include: wa.gov.au. If possible, photographs should include a ruler or other common object to indicate comparative size. • germinating the seeds • checking for contamination You can either personally deliver specimens or mail them to: • checking for inert matter Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia • checking for signs of disease Pest and Disease Information Service 3 Baron-Hay Court The results can be used to assist in many important decisions such as South Perth WA 6151 the seeding rates and whether the seed is suitable to buy, sell or export. Do not mail specimens on a Thursday or Friday since they could Plant disease diagnosis deteriorate in transit over the weekend. In all cases please provide the Correct diagnosis of foliar and root diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, following details: viruses and nematodes enables growers to act against the disease • Locality where the specimens were collected. when necessary and, equally importantly, not to over-react to minor or • Date when collected and the collector’s name and telephone perceived threats. The AGWEST Plant Laboratories’ diagnostic service number. provides management advice and identifies new disease threats to • A description of the damage caused or other reason for submitting horticultural plants, crops and pasture. the specimen. Weed identification Weeds are a serious challenge to both agriculture and the natural environment. Accurate identification facilitates weed management and
58 Sending plants or weeds • Leave larvae in grain or other seed or fruit to help to preserve them. • Line containers with loosely crumpled tissues or similar to reduce • Collect fresh samples of the growing plant. Where practicable send damage to fragile insects and absorb any free fluids. whole plant (roots, mature and immature leaves, flowers, seed pods, • For ants, spray with fly spray then collect on clear sticky tape and fruit). If no flowers or seeds are present wait until the plant is mature. attach to paper. • Send more than one plant, if possible. • Hosts often hold clues to identification – for example, scale insects, • Place between several sheets of absorbent paper, such as mealy bugs and lerps are usually attached to a plant, so include newspaper, and enclose between sheets of cardboard to prevent crushing during transit. twigs or leaves if appropriate. • Pack cardboard package in a paper bag, not a plastic bag. Sending other animals Sending diseased plants Animals such as frogs, which are suspected of being cane toads can be identified by ringing the Cane Toad Hotline on Freecall 1800 084 881. • Where practical, send the whole plant (if it is clearly not a leaf, stem If it is necessary to send a specimen to confirm its identity, you will be or fruit disease). advised of the procedure to follow. • Dig up so the roots remain intact. Soil on the roots will keep the plant alive in transit. There is sometimes a need to determine the identity of other animals, • Seal roots and soil in a plastic bag near the base of the plant, then such as birds, which are suspected of being declared species. If enclose the whole sample in another plastic bag. sufficient information is supplied, identification can be done by calling PaDIS at 1800 084 881 or by sending a photograph. For suspected fungal or bacterial diseases, wrap leaves in paper and enclose in a paper envelope. Further details For suspected viral diseases: Read ‘Sending specimens for identification’. • For vegetative plants, collect new growth or whole shoots. • For potatoes, send shoots instead of tubers. • For grapevines, collect dormant canes instead of leaves. Pack to prevent crushing in transit (as for plant specimens above). Sending insects • Send live specimens unless recommended otherwise (see below). • Where practicable gather 10-20 specimens if insects are small. Live insects with strong jaws such as ground beetles or scarab larvae are best sent with a handful of soil or leaves, otherwise they may damage each other in transit. • Place in a plastic or glass vial or small jar or a crushproof box with crumpled tissues. Containers of live insects require ventilation holes which are sufficiently small to prevent them escaping. • Kill butterflies and moths by freezing for 24 hours or placing in an airtight container with a tissue or cotton wool soaked in nail polish remover. Kill hard-bodied insects such as beetles and grasshoppers by freezing for 24 hours. • Do not kill soft-bodied insects such as grubs or caterpillars.
59 Produced by the: Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
3 Baron-Hay Court South Perth WA 6151 Phone: 9368 3333 Fax: 9368 1205 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.agric.wa.gov.au