2022 TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz aims the spotlight at tree pests

Polyphagous shot-hole borer was first detected in East Fremantle during September 2021.

2022 TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz

aims the spotlight at tree pests

BY ROSALIE MCCAULEY SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Protecting Western Australia’s trees across our horticultural and forest industries and urban and bushland environments will be the focus of the 2022 TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz.

Leading this year’s Blitz is Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Senior Development Officer Rosalie McCauley, who said with increasing numbers of exotic threats to WA’s valuable production, bushland and urban trees, it was time to aim the spotlight at tree pests.

“DPIRD is committed to delivering a robust biosecurity system to support our industries and protect our land and aquatic assets, environment and lifestyle,” Dr McCauley said.

“Early detection of pests gives us the best chance of eradicating or containing their spread.

Early detection gives us the best chance of eradicating or containing pests.

POLYPHAGOUS shot-hole borer was detected in WA for the first time in 2021. The borer affects a large range of trees, and causes serious damage or tree death.

MANGO shoot looper is an invasive pest of mango and lychee (or litchi) trees. Rambutan, longan, cashew and pistachio trees can also be affected by this plant pest. This pest has been detected in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

YOUR INDUSTRY

BROWN marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is not found in Australia, but poses a high biosecurity risk due to its tendency to hitchhike in sea cargo and highly mobile nature. The pest affects a large range of plants including sweet corn, tree nuts and fruits such as apples, peaches, figs, mulberries, citrus, grapes, strawberries and persimmons.

“Over the past 12 months DPIRD has been responding to two serious tree pests in WA: polyphagous shot-hole borer, first detected in East Fremantle during September 2021, and myrtle rust, detected in a remote area of the East Kimberley during June 2022.

“Both of these pests can kill trees and cause serious economic and social impacts as they affect a large range of production and amenity trees,” she said.

“DPIRD is continuing to manage these pests and to collaborate with industry, other government agencies and the community to minimise the spread and impact on our tree populations.”

Dr McCauley said every report of a suspected tree pest helped to document the presence or absence of pests of concern.

“All reports will improve the likelihood of early detection of pests, help prove WA is free from certain pests and diseases and improve domestic and overseas market access for our produce.”

Sign up for the TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz!

DPIRD is encouraging all Western Australians to play a part in protecting WA’s trees, by signing up to the TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz.

To participate:
• Register at agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity-blitz
• Download the free MyPestGuide®Reporter app
• Check trees on your farm/ property, your local area or nearby bushland for pests
• Take photos of any pests found
• Report using the app or online at mypestguide. agric.wa.gov.au
• DPIRD experts will triage the report, identify the pest and respond to you.

When you join the TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz, you will receive a weekly email with useful pest identification and tree health tips, information on priority tree pests, activities, and invitations to webinars and workshops.

TREEmendous webinar and workshops

During the Blitz, a webinar and 3 community workshops will highlight priority pests impacting or likely to impact WA’s fruit trees, urban trees, and bushland trees, and provide resources to help participants spot suspect pests and diseases, and report them using the MyPestGuide®Reporter app.

The workshops will be held at the Dolphin Centre, Bunbury, and Kings Park, Perth. To register, go to the Biosecurity Blitz webpage (www.agric. wa.gov.au/biosecurity-blitz).

Play a part in protecting WA’s trees, sign up to the TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz.

MORE INFORMATION
Web: agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity-blitz
Email: mypestguide@dpird.wa.gov.au
Phone: Rosalie McCauley 0427 022 148.