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MyPestGuide app helps in detection of exotic insects new to Western Australia


Western Australia
March 18, 2015

The palm planthopper, photographed on a palm tree trunk by Karin Taylor Photography using a Smart phone and a 10X macro clip-on lens, was recently identified in Western Australia using the Department of Agriculture and Food’s MyPestGuide app.
The palm planthopper, photographed on a palm tree trunk by Karin Taylor Photography using a Smart phone and a 10X macro clip-on lens, was recently identified in Western Australia using the Department of Agriculture and Food’s MyPestGuide app.

Members of the public are urged to report unusual insects using the Department of Agriculture and Food’s new pest identification and reporting app, MyPestGuide.

Community awareness and use of the app are expected to help limit the harm pests can cause the Western Australian agrifood sector, lifestyle and environment.

The app was launched by the department in August 2014 and was recently used by a member of the public to help detect a potential pest of palm trees found in the Perth suburb of Mount Hawthorn.

Department taxonomist Andras Szito identified the insect as a male Magia subocellata (Lophopidae), commonly known as the palm planthopper.

The species is a native of Queensland and has recently been found in New South Wales. It has not been previously been reported in Western Australia.

Palm planthoppers, which usually prefer palm trees, have the potential to cause damage by sucking out the tree sap and by transmitting palm diseases.

Department director of Plant Biosecurity John van Schagen said community awareness about exotic pests helps with early detection and helps prevent pests from establishing in Western Australia.

“We encourage local government officers and members of the community to report all sightings of unusual insects to the department, as this assists our surveillance activities,” Mr Van Schagen said.

The MyPestGuide app was developed by the department, in conjunction with the Council of Grain Growers Organisations (COGGO), to deliver fast identification and reporting of insect pests. It was initially designed to target grain pests but has since been expanded to enable users to report any unusual insects to the department.

MyPestGuide app is cost-free and available from Apple iTunes store for iPhone and Google Play Store for Android devices.

More information about the MyPestGuide app is available on the department website.

Unusual insects can also be reported by calling the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on freecall 1800 084 881 or email info@agric.wa.gov.au.



More solutions from: Western Australia, Department of Primary Industries


Website: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au

Published: March 18, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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