Identify priority plant pests and diseases

We have identified a group of priority exotic and unwanted plant pests and diseases. These pose the greatest risk to our industries and environment.

Explore our advice on these plant pests and diseases. See more about:

  • how to keep these pests and diseases out of Australia
  • where they come from
  • how to stop the spread if they are already here.

Each of these plant pests and diseases are in our list of National Priority Plant Pests.

Pest and disease advice

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Airborne phytophthora species

A stripy brown, cream and pink caterpillar on a green leaf.

Armyworm (exotic species) 

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Banana phytoplasma diseases

Yellow particles forming stripes along a green leaf surface.

Barley stripe rust (exotic strains)

A brown and orange beetle shaped like a shield and with long antennae, on a white background

Brown marmorated stink bug

Green leaves and green and yellow citrus fruit with brown blotches.

Citrus canker

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Cyst nematodes of cereals (exotic species)

A tree with reddish-brown leaves stands out against a forest of dark green trees and a blue sky.

Dutch elm disease

African honey bee left and European honey bee right sitting on dark brown honeycomb. The left bee has black and white stripes on its abdomen. The right bee has golden stripes on its abdomen.

Exotic bees

A brown insect with an orange head and long, brown wings is impaled on a needle.

Exotic drywood termites

A branch of a pine tree with dried brown pine needles.

Exotic tree nematodes

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Exotic invasive ants

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Exotic invasive snails

A black beetle with white spots on its body and on its very long antennae, on a grey background.

Exotic longhorn beetles

A shiny creamy plant stem cut in half showing a white grub with a brown head inside the stalk. The grub is surrounded by red stains.

Exotic stem borers of sugarcane

Two creamy coloured termites, one with a brown head, pincers and antennae, on a black background.

Exotic subterranean termites

Pairs of light green semicircular shapes float on a darker green background.

Exotic Begomovirus and vectors

A green plant with distorted leaves in a black pot on a brown background.

Exotic Tobamovirus

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Exotic fruit flies

Branches with green leaves and dried up brown leaves

Fire blight

Yellow-brown grubs feeding on a creamy-brown plant root against a grey background.

Grape phylloxera

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Grapevine leaf rust

An orange and brown striped mosquito-like insect with long legs perched on a green leaf on a blue background.

Hessian fly (Mayetiola spp.)

Light green and dark green splotches on green citrus leaves.

Huanglongbing and vectors

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Internal and external mites of bees

Close-up of brown, oval shaped wheat grains with cracks, dark brown blotches and white hairs on a grey background.

Karnal bunt

Close up of a brown, hairy beetle

Khapra beetle

A black fly-like hairy insect with yellow eyes and a yellow spot on its body and transparent wings on a grey background.

Leaf miners (exotic species)

Pale green leaves covered in bright yellow blotches.

Myrtle rust (exotic strains)

The cut stem of a banana plant stem. It is white and creamy with brown discolouration in the inner section.

Panama disease

A person's hand is holding a green leafy lettuce with brown marks.

Phytoplasmas 16Srl group

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Pine pitch canker

A round reddish-orange fruit surrounded by dark green leaves. The fruit has yellow circular lines on the surface.

Plum pox virus

A silvery-brown plant root with about 10 brown spheres and one yellow sphere attached, in brown soil.

Potato cyst nematode (exotic strains)

A potato cut in half with brown blotches, sitting on a wooden table.

Potato late blight (exotic strains)

A light brown moth with v-shaped markings on its wings and black spots along the bottom edges of its wings. The moth sits on a small green leaf on a grey background.

Spongy moth

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Spotted wing drosophila

Many rows of green and brown plants under a blue sky with small clouds. Several people are walking between the rows.

Texas root rot

Close up of a grass-like head of wheat with shiny brown splotches.

Ug99 wheat stem rust

A black and yellow wasp-like insect with greyish wings and long antennae on a blue background.

Wheat stem sawfly (exotic species)

Close up of a grape leaf coloured orange, red, brown and green.

Xylella and exotic vectors

A creamy-yellow potato cut in half showing brown lines radiating out from the centre.

Zebra chip

National action plans

We will manage the threat of these pests and diseases through national action plans.

Each plan sets out how we will prepare, protect and respond to possible incursions.

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern