Weevils were found in imported sweet potatoes at Canning Vale markets.
Camera IconWeevils were found in imported sweet potatoes at Canning Vale markets. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Evil weevils eye local sweet potatoes

Tristan Lavalette, Canning TimesCanning Gazette

Resource risk management executive director John Ruprecht said quarantine inspections detected weevils in Queensland sweet potatoes at the markets.

He said weevils were a serious pest capable of decimating entire crops in the ground or in storage.

‘Quarantine WA works hard to prevent the introduction of exotic pests, diseases and weeds found in other states and territories of Australia,’ he said.

Mr Ruprecht said inchworm caterpillars on cut flowers from commercial flower growers in Victoria and raspberries from Tasmania, and mango seed weevil found in a mango brought in from Sydney, had also been detected.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

‘These three pests are significant and could damage WA’s cut flower, fruit and vegetable growing industries if the pests became established in our state,’ he said.

‘Our team at the airport and Canning Vale markets are to be commended for their vigilance, as these pests are not easy to detect.’