How to report a suspect pest...

Any unusual plant pest, disease or weed should be reported as soon as possible to the relevant state or territory agriculture agency.

In Australia, report through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. In New Zealand, report to the Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66. These hotlines can be used from anywhere within the respective country.

Every report is taken seriously and handled confidentially. Management of calls varies in different areas, but to the same end.

You will be asked questions to help understand the situation, such as:

• what you found and where
• when you found it
• what crop or plant it was on
• how many you saw or how infected the crop is
• how widespread it is
• anything else that caught your attention.

Pests can also be reported using apps, such as MyPestGuide, that allow you to submit a photo of the pest or symptoms.

For more in details about what to expect when reporting a plant pest, disease or weed and what may happen after a report is made, click here.