Host Test Lists

​​​​​Host specificity testing

Host specificity testing is carried out to ensure that the proposed biological control agent is specific to the target weed or insect pest.

A host specificity test list is a list of plants/insects closely related to the target weed or insect pest that is developed by a biological control researcher. The species on the list are exposed to the proposed biological control agent in a quarantine containment facility.

Current host test lists open for comment:

The 'Biosecurity guidelines for the introduction of exotic biological control agents', provide that applicants may elect to publish host preference testing lists for comment on the department's website. This allows applicants to receive feedback prior to undertaking research activities supporting an application to import a biocontrol agent.

Important: Comments should be directed to the applicant, not the department, by the closing date.

The published host test list documents may not meet Australian Government accessibility guidelines as they have not been prepared by the department.