Western Australian experience in creating an internet based database of invasive insects has proved a valuable tool for developing an international database of invasive pest species.

Department of Agriculture senior entomologist Rob Emery has recently returned from the United States where he presented to the first Experts Meeting on the Implementation of a Global Invasive Species Information Network.

Mr Emery said the purpose of the workshop was to reach agreement on a standardised format for invasive species information for an online international database.

 “The Department began developing its internet database of 50,000 specimens in 1995 when the technology was in its infancy,” he said.

“There are now about 130,000 specimens drawn from all parts of the world, including some specimens collected in Western Australia as early as 1850.

The WA insect database is one of the largest in Australia. It is one of 14 Australian insect databases which are linked and networked to collectively form the Australian Plant Pest Database.

Mr Emery said the most frequent users of the databases were researchers, schools, quarantine officers seeking precise identification of species found during inspections, and curators of insect collections.

“In addition to insects, the proposed global invasive pest database will include weeds, vertebrate pests and aquatic invasive species, which have great potential for international spread via ship’s ballast water,” he said.

“Specimen are described using scientific and common names, date and location of discovery, as well as details of its hosts, normal habitat and potential as a pest. Descriptions are often accompanied by photos or clear illustrations.”

Mr Emery said exotic pests which could cause severe economic loss to agricultural production, meant different things in different countries around the world.

“For example, there is a Mexican thrips species which feeds on the growing tips of avocado. In Mexico it is not considered a pest as it obtains sufficient food from the stems over the long growing season and never attacks the fruit.

“However, in California the thrips has proved to be a severe pest as it is forced from the growing tips to the fruit due to a shorter growing season.”

 Mr Emery said the global sharing of this type of information would be a great step forward in protecting our industry from such pests.

The information will be shared through the Global Invasive Species Information Network which includes 26 countries.

Mr Emery’s attendance at the conference was supported by the US Department of State Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, coordinated by the National Biological Information Infrastructure.