Tomato potato psyllid (TPP), a tiny pest insect that feeds on plants, has been detected in southwest Victoria.
Report any suspected TPP found in Tasmania to Biosecurity Tasmania
- Secure the affected plants if possible,
- Take some photos of the suspected insects if you can, and
- Contact: 03 6165 3777 or email: Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au
What has happened?
TPP has been detected in Victoria within a small area on the Bellarine Peninsula, with the initial detection in a tomato production facility.
Surveillance undertaken by Agriculture Victoria in a 3 km radius from the glasshouse facility has detected TPP at an additional five locations within 1.5 km of the initial detection point.
Agriculture Victoria is investigating the situation and is implementing relevant controls to limit the spread to other areas.
Testing of the insects and plant material has shown no evidence of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), which causes Zebra chip in potatoes. Therefore, Australia remains free of CLso.
TPP was first detected in Western Australia in February 2017 and it was subsequently agreed that it was not eradicable.
What does this mean for Tasmania?
Biosecurity Tasmania is currently reviewing the Victorian incursion and whether any additional controls may need to be implemented to reduce the risk of TPP being transmitted to Tasmania.
Import Requirement 46 (Tomato Potato Psyllid – Hosts and Carriers) in the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania remains in effect.
Agriculture Victoria is implementing movement controls to limit the spread of TPP from known detection sites, so hosts from these sites are unlikely to be sent to Tasmania.
However, TPP can easily spread by wind, machinery and vehicles so it is important to remain vigilant and follow import requirements if importing hosts and carriers, especially those from Western Australia and Victoria.
What is TPP?
The tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) is a tiny sap-sucking insect that attacks a range of plants in the Solanaceae family which includes potato, tomato, eggplant, capsicum, chilli and tamarillo. It also attacks sweet potato.
Adults resemble small, winged cicadas and are about 3mm long. The body is brownish and has white or yellowish markings on the thorax and a broad white band on the abdomen. Their wings are transparent and held vertically over their body.
The nymphs have flattened oval pale yellow to green or orange scale-like bodies and red eyes. More mature nymphs have wing buds and are fringed with hairs.
Eggs are often found on the lower leaf surface or along the leaf stalk. They are less than 1 mm long, orange to yellow or green with a short stalk.
What are the signs of TPP?
When it is present in a crop, the noticeable signs of the tomato potato psyllid include:
- Insects jumping from the foliage when disturbed. Adult psyllids are sometimes called ‘jumping plant lice’ as they readily jump and fly when disturbed.
- Severe wilting of plants occurs when there are large numbers of psyllids feeding.
- Yellowing of leaf margins and upward curling of the leaves.
- White sugar-like granules that are excreted by adults and nymphs. These granules coat the plant leaves and stems and can lead to the development of sooty mould.
- Honeydew and psyllid sugar make the plants sticky and plants often appear dirty.
- Shortening of stem internodes occurs.
- The death of the stem is similar to other potato and tomato disorders.
What is Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso)?
Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) is a bacterium associated with ‘zebra chip’ disease in potatoes. It is not currently found in Australia.
Zebra chip disease results in reduced crop yield and crop health, stem death, yellowing of leaf tissue, and misshapen tubers.
Neither the psyllid nor the bacterium pose a risk to human health.
What can I do?
Biosecurity Tasmania encourages growers, importers and home gardeners to monitor their plants, particularly host species such as tomato, potato, capsicum, chilli, eggplant and sweet potato.
Inspecting plants regularly is encouraged:
- When inspecting host fruit and vegetables, pay particular attention to any green material on the produce, such as the calyx, and look for eggs, nymphs or adults.
- When inspecting host nursery stock and cut flowers, look for signs of chlorosis, stunting, leaf narrowing, curling or cupping, leaf purpling, fruit distortion and shortened internodes in tomatoes should be investigated closely.
- TPP are more likely to be on the underside of leaves toward the lower half of plants. Psyllid sugar (white residue) indicates the presence of the psyllid. Adults will fly a short distance away when disturbed and then settle.
Report any suspect findings to Biosecurity Tasmania
For more information about TPP please see Tomato potato psyllid webpage
