Residents and businesses in commercial citrus production regions throughout Western Australia will receive a flyer in the post in early September (see image).
It asks them to take action to prevent the spread and establishment of citrus gall wasp, which is not yet present in commercial citrus orchards.
The mailout is funded by the WA citrus growers fee for service. It aims to slow the movement of this pest from home gardens into commercial orchards while better management options are identified. Recipients have been asked to report if they find citrus gall wasp and to control the pest so that it doesn’t become established in their region. Note: we are not asking for reports in Perth as the pest is already established there.
Flyers have been sent to more than 63,000 mailboxes in local government areas close to citrus orchards. From north to south they include Wyndham-East Kimberley, Derby-West Kimberley, Carnarvon, Irwin, Moora, Dandaragan, Gingin, Chittering, Waroona, Harvey, Dardanup, Bunbury, Capel, Nannup and Manjimup.
Please contact Helen Newman, Biosecurity Representative (biosecurity@wacitrus.com.au) if you have any questions or would like more information. If you are heading to any events in the regions Helen can supply copies of the flyer for your use. More information on gall wasp can also be found here: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/plant-biosecurity/citrus-gall-wasp-control
Sightings of citrus gall wasp can be reported using the MyPestGuide Reporter https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pests-weeds-diseases/mypestguide. This is a great tool. Any queries you send through on any plant, animal, insect or disease is responded to by an expert.
Download the flyer here
