Invasive plants and plant pests

Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii) was detected in Australia on 23 April 2010 on a cut flower growing property on the central coast of New South Wales. The rust was confirmed on Willow Myrtle (Agonis flexuosa), Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) and Bottlebrush (Callistemon) species growing on and near the property.

Rusts are highly transportable. Their spores can be spread on contaminated clothing, infected plant material and equipment and by insect movement and wind dispersal. Fungi in the guava rust complex affect commercial plant growing operations and native ecosystems. They typically attack young plants and new growth on established plants.

For more information see the list of species being infected by Myrtle rust in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

Some of these species may not occur in the ACT.

Grapevine phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) is a small (up to 1mm long) aphid-like insect that lives and feeds exclusively on the roots of grapevines and occasionally in distinctive galls on grapevine leaves.

Phylloxera originates from eastern North America, where it lives on native grapevines. However, the insect is now present in most of the world's viticultural regions as a result of the movement of phylloxera-infested grapevines, especially in the late 1800s. European (Vitis vinifera) vines have little or no tolerance to phylloxera feeding and almost always die. The species is thus regarded as the world's worst grapevine pest.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2023, a Biosecurity (Phylloxera) Control Declaration 2025 is in place that prohibits the movement of any phylloxera risk items into or through the ACT. It is an offence not to comply with this control declaration. The declaration provides details of your obligations.

Giant pine scale is a tiny scale insect that lives by sucking the sap of pine, fir and spruce trees. Heavily infested trees can dry up and die from the insects feeding on the tree’s sap, impacting pine trees in parks, softwood plantations and residential properties if not properly managed.

There are currently no effective chemical treatment options available for giant pine scale.

Giant pine scale infested trees can be easily recognised by the white, cotton wool-like wax the insect produces that looks like snow on the tree’s trunks and branches. While the insect typically prefers the lower part of the tree (i.e. trunk), it can also be found on branches and exposed roots.

If you find giant pine scale on a pine, spruce or fir tree in the ACT report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 or ACT Biosecurity by emailing ACTBiosecurity@act.gov.auor calling 02 6207 3587.

If you have clear photographs, email them with a brief explanation as well as location and contact details to ACTBiosecurity@act.gov.au.

People can also unintentionally spread Giant pine scale when moving infested plant material (e.g. branches, mulch and logs), using contaminated gardening equipment and carrying it on clothing, machinery and cars. It is important to practise good plant and equipment hygiene to avoid spreading Giant pine scale.