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Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisories

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

Latest Advisories

Subscribing to get Biosecurity Tasmania Advisories is the best way you can keep yourself up-to-date and fully informed about Tasmanian biosecurity issues. Our Advisories cover topics such as changes or proposed changes to Tasmania’s import regulations, animal health and welfare, plant health, forthcoming regulation reviews and opportunities for public comment, new or emerging pest/disease risks and a range of other matters related to Tasmania’s biosecurity.


360 advisories found for Horticulture.
 
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Biosecurity Advisory 13/2025 - Upcoming Forest and Tree Biosecurity Workshops

​The Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and Plant Health Australia will hold a free forest and tree biosecurity workshop,

3 April 2025 10.00am - 3.00pm at;

C3 Convention Centre, 64 Anglesea Rd, South Hobart

The workshops aim is to raise awareness and enable the early detection of exotic pests posing biosecurity risks to trees in our urban, natural, and commercial environments.

The workshop will be of particular interest to those working in the field with trees, those undertaking tree health assessments and/or plant pest trapping and treatments, and those interested in collecting records and data on tree health in relation to their area of work. The focus will be on biosecurity pests of concern.

The workshop will cover:

  • The importance of biosecurity
  • Signs and symptoms– what do we mean by dieback, cankers or frass and what do they look like?
  • Information about key pest threats - What do they look like? What should you look for?
  • Introduction to MyPestGuide™ Trees and MyPestGuide™ Reporter App
  • How to report suspect exotic pests

Please RSVP by completing the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/UN0x9DdLba

RSVPs are due by 27 March 2025.

If this workshop might be of value to others in your workplace/area of work, please forward this invitation. 

If you have further enquiries, please contact us.

Veronica Hayes - Surveillance Coordinator (Plant Biosecurity)
0448 366 101 or veronica.hayes@nre.tas.gov.au

Rohan Burgess – (Surveillance Manager)
(02) 6215 7700  or RBurgess@phau.com.au

(17/3/2025)
Categories: Horticulture; Cropping; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests;

Biosecurity Advisory 12/2025 - Update on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Response

Biosecurity Tasmania is continuing the response to the detection of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB; Halyomorpha halys​) in Bell Bay.

BMSB was initially detected in a border surveillance trap and identified as BM​​SB on 13 February 2025. At that time, Biosecurity Tasmania immediately stood up and 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. This increased surveillance 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 is not unexpected given the increased surveillance activities underway. A further 4 traps will be implemented in response to the second detection, and treatment options are being considered by the Department where appropriate. 

Trapping and surveillance operations will continue at an increased rate for the remainder of the 12-week period.  

More information is available online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/current-biosecurity-alerts

If you think you have seen BMSB in your crop or backyard, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. ​

(17/3/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports;

Biosecurity Advisory 10/2025 – Update on Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Detection in Tasmania

​Biosecurity Tasmania continues its response to the detection of a single brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB; Halyomorpha halys) in a border surveillance trap at Bell Bay.

Following identification of the specimen as BMSB on 13 February 2025, Biosecurity Tasmania immediately stood up an Incident Management Team (IMT) to manage and coordinate the response to the detection. The IMT immediately commenced response activities in line with national arrangements.

An additional 14 traps were deployed around the initial detection site, and over the last fortnight Biosecurity Officers have been conducting increased surveillance of both the additional traps and the surrounding bush and scrub.

No further BMSB specimens have been found.

Surveillance and response activities will continue for a further 10 weeks. Further updates will be provided as necessary.

BMSB is an exotic pest found overseas in parts of Asia, North America and Europe, and 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.

If you think you have seen BMSB in your crop or backyard, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

More information is available online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/current-biosecurity-alerts

(28/2/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 8/2025 - Declaration of non-sterile Digitalis species (foxglove)

All sexually reproductive species, sub-species, varieties, hybrids and cultivars of Digitalis species (commonly known as foxglove) are now listed as declared pests under Tasmania’s Biosecurity Act 2019 and Biosecurity Regulations 2022. 

The importation, supply and sale, propagation, and release or spread of all non-sterile varieties of foxglove is now prohibited in Tasmania.   

Requirements for the control and management of foxglove are prescribed by designated areas or designated purposes. These are categorised into weed control classes: 

  • Class A designated areas: require actions to eradicate foxglove. 
  • Class B designated areas: require actions to contain foxglove infestations.   

An interactive map showing the designated areas for foxglove management is available here .  

Existing foxglove plants present in garden settings outside of designated areas are not affected by this declaration.  However, you must not trade any reproductive foxglove material (e.g. seeds or cuttings) with other persons.  

This declaration aims to strike a balance between protecting important environmental values and agricultural assets, whilst at the same time not diverting resources away from high priority weed species for which eradication is still the target.  

Note: All parts of foxglove are extremely toxic to humans and animals. If any part of the plant is ingested immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126. ​

For more information visit https://nre.tas.gov.au/digitalis​ or call (03) 6165 3777. 

(20/2/2025)
Categories: Horticulture; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Pasture;

Biosecurity Advisory 7/2025 - Brown marmorated stinkbug detected in trap

​Biosecurity Tasmania is responding to the detection of a single female brown marmorated stinkbug (BMSB) in a border surveillance trap at Bell Bay. The sample was sent to Biosecurity Tasmania Plant Diagnostic staff for diagnostic testing and was later confirmed as BMSB via molecular identification.

The collected sample was a single female specimen and does not represent an outbreak of BMSB in Tasmania. Biosecurity Tasmania (BT) maintains BSMB traps at ports of entry across the state under the National Plant Health Surveillance Program, and this detection occurred as part of that routine surveillance.

Following this single detection, additional BMSB traps have been deployed at Bell Bay and BT has commenced an increased surveillance regime. This will remain in place for at least 12 weeks in line with national response arrangements for circumstances where BMSB is detected post-border. An Incident Management Team (IMT) has been stood up within BT to manage this detection in Tasmania.

Further updates will be provided in the event of subsequent detections of concern.

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.

If you think you have seen BMSB in your crop or backyard, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

More information is available online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/current-biosecurity-alerts ​

(17/2/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 4/2025 - Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) Detected in Victoria

​Agriculture Victoria is responding to a detection of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) at a tomato glasshouse facility in Victoria in seedlings recently moved from South Australia (SA), where there is a current outbreak. 

Agriculture Victoria has implemented quarantine controls at the property and is working closely with the business to ensure the virus does not spread and can be eradicated.

ToBRFV is a highly contagious plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies. The virus is a serious threat to Australia’s tomato, capsicum and chilli industries. 

The virus spreads easily through contaminated tools, hands, clothing and direct plant to plant contact including grafting and cuttings. It can also be transmitted in seeds and irrigation water.

The virus can remain viable in seed, plant waste and contaminated soil for months and once a crop is infected, the only way to eradicate the virus is by destroying all infected plants and decontaminating all contact materials including glasshouse surfaces.

There is no risk to food safety or human health from eating tomatoes with this virus.

ToBRFV was detected in SA in August 2024 and is known to be present on three properties in that state.

An emergency biosecurity direction from Tasmania’s Chief Plant Protection Officer to prevent the movement of ToBRFV host plants or plant materials from areas known to be infected with the virus into Tasmania remains in place: www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/the-tasmanian-biosecurity-compendium/general-biosecurity-directions 

​What can I do?

Biosecurity Tasmania encourages growers, importers and home gardeners to monitor their tomato, capsicum and chilli plants and fruit for signs of the disease.

Infected plants show symptoms such as mosaic patterns, yellowing and deformities on leaves, while fruits develop brown wrinkled spots, deformations and uneven ripening. These symptoms result in reduced yield and marketability. 

Report any suspect findings to Biosecurity Tasmania​

  • Secure the affected plants if possible,
  • Take some photos of the suspected symptoms if you can, and
  • Contact 03 6165 3777 or email Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au

For further information about the detections in South Australia and Victoria visit www.outbreak.gov.au/current-outbreaks/tomato-brown-rugose-fruit-virus

(20/1/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

Biosecurity Advisory 2/2025 - Emergency General Biosecurity Direction for European Honey Bees and Associated Products - Renewal January 2025

​Due to the presence of varroa mite (Varroa destructor) in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, the Tasmanian Chief Plant Protection Officer has put in place an extension to the General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency), to prevent the introduction of this honey bee parasite into Tasmania.

This Direction takes effect as of 12.01am on Tuesday 7 January 2025 and remains in effect for six (6) months, unless it is revoked earlier. It prohibits the import into Tasmania of any:

  • European honey bee (Apis mellifera); or
  • Any animal product produced by, or from, a European honey bee other than commercially produced bee products such as honey filtered to a maximum 2 mm pore size and melted refined beeswax, or another process approved by the Chief Plant Protection Officer; or
  • Any used beekeeping equipment; or
  • Any other thing that may reasonably be suspected of being a carrier of bees, or any pest or disease that may affect bees.

While this General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency) remains in place, producers will need to continue sourcing queen bees from within Tasmania. A copy of the General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency) is available at https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/bees/rules-for-moving-bees-apiary-products-and-used-apiary-equipment 

Biosecurity Tasmania is currently completing a varroa mite Import Risk Analysis (IRA). The outcomes of this work will inform the development of future phytosanitary measures related to varroa mite, which will be captured in the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania in late 2025. More information about the IRA methodology can be found at https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/biosecurity-tasmania-import-risk-analysis-assessment-processes

More information about varroa mite can be found on the NRE Tas website at https://nre.tas.gov.au/varroa

(7/1/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 42/2024 - Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) detection in Victoria

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


(20/12/2024)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Plant diseases; Plant pests;

Biosecurity Advisory 41/2024 - Watch for European paper wasps

Do you know the difference between regular European wasps (Vespula germanica) & European paper wasps (Polistes dominula)?

They look similar but there are a few key differences, especially their antennae colour, size and nest structure. European paper wasps are about 1.5-2.5 cm long, yellow and black in colour with orange antennae (European wasps have black antennae). They are longer and thinner than European wasps, with slightly different yellow and black markings.

The nests of European paper wasp have exposed cells and are found above ground, often on walls and fences, as well as in vegetation. In contrast, European wasp nests are closed, do not have exposed cells, and are often underground.

In areas where they become established, European paper wasps can become a public nuisance because of the intensity of their painful sting. They also have potential environmental impacts by feeding on native insects and competing with native species for nectar.

In contrast to European wasps, which have been established in Tasmania for over 60 years, European paper wasps are a Declared Pest under the Biosecurity Act 2019. Biosecurity Tasmania has identified and removed paper wasp nests in the North West in recent seasons. Further paper wasp detections in the area suggest there may be one or more nests that have not yet been located. 

Biosecurity Tasmania would like to hear from residents who think they may have seen a nest or other signs of European paper wasp activity.

WARNING: European paper wasps sting. Do not disturb nests or provoke wasps in any way.

Contact Biosecurity Tasmania to report signs of European paper wasps at biosecurity.tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au or call (03) 6165 3777.

Learn more about European paper wasps at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/pests-and-diseases/european-paper-wasp

(20/12/2024)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Plant pests;

Biosecurity Advisory 39/2024 - Current Calicivirus Situation in Tasmania

​Until recently there had been an Australia-wide shortage of calicivirus, however the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania has now been able to secure a supply of calicivirus.

Calicivirus is a biological control agent strategically used by Biosecurity Tasmania to assist landholders manage wild rabbit populations. Calicivirus releases usually occur during autumn when environmental conditions are favourable, to ensure effective use of the virus.

Calicivirus should only be released in drier months, when grass has dried off and rabbits have stopped breeding, to avoid levels of immunity developing in young rabbits.

Biosecurity Tasmania will continue to monitor conditions for a suitable time to release calicivirus. However, it is unlikely that calicivirus releases can occur until autumn 2025.  

Landholders are responsible for the control of rabbits on their land and there are a variety of management options available. There are resources available online to assist in planning a rabbit control program.

To support landholders to control the increased rabbit populations, Biosecurity Tasmania staff are available to work directly with landholders to develop rabbit management programs for their property.

Information regarding rabbit control and how to develop a rabbit control program is available on our website at www.nre.tas.gov.au/rabbits ​

(26/11/2024)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Policy and Legislation; Wildlife;

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