Peel harvey Biosecurity Group
UPCOMING EVENTS
Weed ID and Advice Workshop
The popular Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) Weed ID and Advice Workshop is being held at Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Resource Centre, Mundijong on Thursday the 28th September from 10am to 4 pm.
Over the last four years more than 150 landholders have attended these workshops and reported a high level of satisfaction with the interactive format. Landholders report the workshops increased their knowledge of weed identification and control.
The PHBG welcome back weed experts, Greg Keighery, Order of Australia recipient, and Principal Ecologist Andrew Mitchell, as hosts to the workshops.
“The first step in weed control is correct identification - knowing which weed you’re dealing with helps direct control efforts to the most effective method. At our previous workshops over 80% of attendees said they would be more confident identifying weeds going forward," said Executive Officer, Teele Hooper-Worrell.
industry news
Red Dwarf Honey Bees
A Quarantine Area has been declared for the Burrup Peninsula in the Pilbara (see map) to support a biosecurity response to eradicate Red dwarf honey bee.
Red dwarf honey bees and the parasitic mites which they may carry are native to South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia. Unfortunately there have been red dwarf honey bee detections in Dampier and Karratha this year.
What to look for...
Compared to European honey bees, the red dwarf honey bee is smaller, being just 7-10 millimetres in length. They have a red/brown abdomen with black and white bands.
Look for unusual bees that look smaller than European honey bees or colonies with exposed combs.
Their nest is made up of an exposed single horizontal comb less than 25 centimetres wide that is built around and attached to tree branches or other support, including buildings and shipping containers
How you can help...
When at home and when holidaying around our state, keep an eye out for red dwarf honey bees and immediately report any sightings by: Calling the DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080, emailing padis@dpird.wa.gov.au or using the MyPestGuideReporter™ app.
More information here.
Source: agric.wa.gov.au 21 September 2023
Queensland Fruit Fly
As was reported in the PHBG winter 2023 newsletter, DPIRD is working to stop the spread of the significant invasive pest, Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), after a confirmed detection in Bayswater.
As at 15th August 2023, a quarantine area is still declared covering 15km radius around the suburbs of Bayswater and Belmont. Read the full article to see what areas are affected by the restrictions and learn more about this serious pest.
Any sightings should be reported to Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
Phone +61 (0)8 9368 3080
Email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
MyPestGuide™ Reporter
via app or online
mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au
How to spot Q-fly
Body: about 6-8 mm long
Head: two red eyes with two very short antennae (only visible under close inspection)
Thorax (middle): reddish-brown with yellow patches on the sides and back
Abdomen (end): solid dark brown
Legs are a lighter shade of brown and the wings are clear.
Source: agric.wa.gov.au 15 September 2023
Feral deer - what to do about rising numbers?
This article from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions cites the annual economic impact from feral deer to be around $90 million, and outlines the research, development and engagement underway at a national level to tackle feral deer.
________________________________________
From ABC South West WA:
'White weeping broom takes over Preston Beach threatening Western Australian native groundcover'
White weeping broom has emerged as a weed of significant concern in Preston Beach and threatens to impact the Yalgorup National Park.
The Shire of Waroona is working to implement regulations that would compel landholders to control this pest now and to stop people selling or planting it.
Read the full article here.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
DPIRD is asking for all sightings of sulphur crested cockatoos to be reported - and if you can get a photo that is helpful.
These large birds are agricultural pests and have a loud screeching call - you may hear them before you see them!
Sightings can be reported by calling 9368 3080, emailing padis@dpird.wa.gov.auvia the mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au website or using the MyPestGuide Reporter app.
Carpet Sea Squirt
Carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum) has been detected in Western Australia (WA) for the first time.
Carpet sea squirt (CSS) is a highly invasive marine invertebrate animal that has the potential to impact oyster and mussel aquaculture, marine environments, dive tourism industries as well as increasing maintenance costs for commercial and recreational vessels.
A level 2 incident was declared on 25 January 2023 in response to the detection of CSS in WA and a Quarantine Area Notice was issued on 17 March 2023. Learn more...
National Livestock Standstill for Foot-and-Mouth Disease:
Cost-Benefit Analysis
According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in April 2023:
A national livestock standstill (NLSS) is a critical strategy in responding to the diagnosis or suspicion of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Rapidly implementing movement controls gives the best chance of optimising response options across the country, by limiting the spread of a disease once it is detected.
EUROPEAN HOUSE BORER
European house borer (EHB) Hylotrupes bajulus is a destructive pest of seasoned coniferous timber including pine, fir and spruce. If allowed to become established it can cause major structural damage to buildings.
The European house borer team at DPIRD works to contain the EHB pest within affected areas of Western Australia via surveillance and regulation.
Worried about foot and mouth or lumpy skin disease?
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have an emergency disease hub with information on disease signs, preparedness activities and what happens in the event of an outbreak.
