The National Management Group (NMG), comprising all Australian governments, affected plant industries and Plant Health Australia met on 1 April 2022. Acting on advice from the Consultative Committee on Emergency Pant Pests (CCEPP), the NMG endorsed the National Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) Response Plan to deliver further surveillance and control measures.
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) will continue to lead the coordination of the national program, working collaboratively with each combat jurisdiction to implement a consistent and harmonised approach to the Response Plan activities. Investigations and eradication activities to date have been successful and the potential spread of the beetle has been curtailed.
Khapra beetle is almost identical to many species of beetles present in Australia, making it very difficult to detect and identify. Khapra beetles feed on dried plant and animal products with a preference for grain and stored products. Larvae can survive dormant for two or more years in varied conditions. The species is found in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Khapra beetle presents a significant risk to Australia’s grain, nuts, dried fruit and allied industries. An outbreak would jeopardise grain export markets, and those of other host commodities.
To reduce the probability of further border introductions, DAWE has recently reviewed import entry conditions of host material of khapra beetle.
There is no change to Australia’s pest status.