The large earth bumblebee is exotic to mainland Australia but has been present in Tasmania since 1992.  These large, furry, and loudly buzzing bees are ferocious foragers and experts are concerned about the impact these large bees could have on our native species of bees and other nectar eating wildlife. Agriculture Victoria invasive species analyst, Michael Whitehead, explains why the large earth bumblebee is not the kind of bee you want to hear buzzing around your garden, and what to do if you suspect you find one in the latest ‘The Good, The Bad, and the Bug-ly’ episode. For more infor ..read more

Did you know Australia has a number one priority exotic plant pest? Xylella fastidiosa is a bacteria which poses a threat to Australian agricultural and horticultural industries, as well as having the potential to do some real damage to our native trees and plants. With over 600 different plant species at risk, everything from grapes and olives, citrus, berries and stone fruits, as well as ornamentals, the race is on to prepare Australia for a potential incursion. In this episode, Craig Elliott from the National Xylella Preparedness Program, funded by Wine Australia and Hort Innovation, explai ..read more

A backyard garden ecosystem comprises of healthy plants and trees, and even includes insects. There are some bad bugs we don’t want in our gardens, but there are also a lot of good ones we want to encourage and, in some cases, actually need in our gardens. Dr Lizzy Lowe with Cesar Australia explains what these good bugs are and how they can be beneficial in your garden. For more information visit the Urban Plant Health Network. If you see something unusual, call the Exotic Pest Plant Health line on 1800 084 881 or take a photo and upload it to the MyPestGuide Reporter.  ..read more

The Spotted Lanternfly is remarkable in colour and markings but is a very damaging exotic pest which has the capability of causing massive damage to not only our agriculture and horticulture industries but is also a problem pest for the general population as well. Olivia Reynolds from Cesar Australia describes what makes the Spotted Lanternfly so distinctive, and so destructive, and why it is important to ensure this pest doesn’t become established in Australia. For more information visit the Urban Plant Health Network and Botanic Gardens Biosecurity Network. If you see something unusual, call ..read more

Beekeeping is a great hobby and it is becoming increasingly popular with urban gardeners, but do you know how to keep the bees healthy in your hives? How about what equipment you will need, or what your legal requirements are as a beekeeper? Cynthia Kefaloukos, Apiary Pest and Disease Officer with Agriculture Victoria discusses what is actually involved in keeping bees in Victoria, and how Agriculture Victoria are working to protect the apiary industry for both commercial beekeepers and hobby beekeepers. For more information visit the Urban Plant Health Network. If you see something unusual, c ..read more

Dr. Jessica Lye from Cesar Australia talks about the importance of protecting the Melbourne food bowl and how social capital is a key tool in spreading the word about what is unusual in your garden. For more information visit the Cesar Australia and Urban Plant Health Network If you see something unusual, call the Exotic Pest Plant Health line on 1800 084 881  or take a photo and upload it to the MyPestGuide Reporter ..read more

Dr. Rosa Crnov, Chief Plant Health Officer with Agriculture Victoria talks about keeping Victoria’s plants safe from exotic pests and diseases. If exotic plant pests and diseases can be spotted and reported on earlier in urban areas, hopefully their spread can be stopped to rural areas. For more information visit the Urban Plant Health Network ..read more

Callum Fletcher, Biosecurity Coordinator at AUSVEG takes a detailed look at the tomato potato psyllid. Callum discusses what the tomato potato psyllid does, what it looks like, and why you do not want to find these in your tomato or potato plants.  For more information visit the Urban Plant Health Network ..read more

Jeff Milne, National Citrus Surveillance Coordinator at Citrus Australia provides tips on how to care for your citrus trees in Melbourne. Jeff discusses what pests and diseases can look like in your citrus, and how then to manage them. For more information visit the Urban Plant Health Network ..read more