Biosecurity Tasmania encourages all Tasmanians to always remain vigilant, and report anything unusual to Biosecurity Tasmania as soon as possible on (03) 6165 3777.
Brown marmorated stink bug
Biosecurity Tasmania is responding to the detection of Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB; Halyomorpha halys) at Bell Bay. These detections do not represent an outbreak of BMSB in Tasmania.
BMSB was initially detected in a border surveillance trap, and confirmed as BMSB on 13 February 2025. Biosecurity Tasmania immediately stood up an Incident Management Team (IMT) to manage and coordinate the response to this BMSB detection, and commenced response activities in line with national arrangements.
An additional 14 surveillance traps were deployed and Biosecurity Officers increased their surveillance regime, which will remain in place for at least 12 weeks from the initial detection.
During this period of increased trapping and surveillance, a second detection of BMSB was confirmed on 11 March 2025. This detection was in very close proximity to the initial detection site, and surveillance operations will continue at an increased rate. More traps will be implemented in response to the second detection, and treatment options are being considered by the Department where appropriate.
BMSB is an exotic pest and is found overseas in parts of Asia, North America and Europe. BMSB is a significant threat to agriculture due to its wide host range and the damage it can do to vegetable crops and fruit and ornamental trees. It is known to feed on more than 300 hosts, including agricultural crops such as nuts, grains, berries, cotton, citrus, soybean, nursery stock and some ornamental and weed plant species, and when feeding causes significant damage to plant tissues.
Brown marmorated stink bug Photo: shutterstock
Adults range in length between 12-17 mm and are mottled brown in colour with a shield-shaped appearance.
Nymphal (young insect) stages of BMSB range in size from less than 3 mm to 12 mm long. The nymphs are orange and black when they first hatch but quickly develop a similar colouration to the adults.
Eggs are cream to yellow-orange and approximately 1.6 mm long and laid in clusters on the underside of leaves.
If you think you have seen BMSB in your crop or backyard, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
Avian influenza
Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious viral disease affecting commercial, domestic, and wild birds. AI virus is a low risk to the public as it rarely affects humans unless there is direct and close contact with sick birds.
AI strains are described as low pathogenicity avian influenza or high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). HPAI is highly contagious and is considered a biosecurity threat.
There are currently no known outbreaks of HPAI in Tasmania. However, due to the current outbreaks in some Australian states and internationally, poultry owners are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow the following steps to help protect their birds from disease.
- Keep your equipment and poultry yard or aviary clean.
- Avoid contact between your birds and wild birds.
- Don’t let feed and water become contaminated by faeces or other animal waste.
- Practice good hygiene when handling birds including at bird shows.
- Limit visitors' access to your birds.
- Quarantine new birds.
- Know the signs of high pathogenicity avian influenza.
- Immediately report any sick or dead birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Varroa mite
Tasmania is free of Varroa mite, which is a prohibited pest under the Tasmanian Biosecurity Act 2019. This means if you suspect you have found signs of Varroa mite in your hives, you must report it immediately by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
Queensland fruit fly
Tasmania is free of fruit fly and it is important for our horticultural industries, our economy and way of life that we remain vigilant for signs of fruit fly.
Routine biosecurity measures continue around the state that contribute to protecting Tasmania from introduced pests and diseases, including:
regular checking of the permanent fruit fly trap network across Tasmania.
imposing strict requirements for the import of produce before it enters Tasmania.
conducting targeted inspections of produce as it enters Tasmania.
checking passengers, luggage, freight and mail at the border.
If you see what you think may be signs of Queensland fruit fly
contact Biosecurity Tasmania immediately on (03) 6165 3777.
Visit the webpage Queensland fruit fly for further information.
Small hive beetle
Following the detection of small hive beetle in the East Devonport area in March 2023, Biosecurity Tasmania quickly responded, working alongside beekeepers, industry and the community to protect the health of Tasmania’s bee population as well as our honey and pollination sectors.
In March 2023, Tasmania's Chief Plant Protection Officer declared a General Biosecurity Direction (small hive beetle), which established a Bee Movement Restriction Area (BMRA) around the detection site and restricted the movement of bees, bee products and used beekeeping equipment within, into and out of the area.
Following extensive surveillance activities, including thousands of beehive and trap inspections, effective from 22 April 2024, the General Biosecurity Direction (small hive beetle) and the associated BMRA have been revoked.
For more information, and to view the revocation of the General Biosecurity Direction, visit the Small Hive Beetle webpage.