Detection of the tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) in Western Australia has led the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and potato industry partners to increase surveillance for this pest in Tasmanian potato crops.
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TPP is a devastating insect pest of solanaceous crops (in particular potatoes, tomatoes, capsicums and chillies) and sweet potatoes.
It can transmit a bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, which causes zebra chip in potatoes and psyllid yellows in other crops. The psyllid, originally from North and Central America, was accidentally introduced into New Zealand in the mid 2000s and spread to Norfolk Island in 2014.
In February 2017, TPP was reported infesting plants in gardens and commercial glasshouses in the Perth metropolitan area. Subsequent surveys found that the psyllid was also present in regional areas outside Perth, and it is now suspected that this pest may have been in WA for two or more years.
Fortunately, to date, none of the WA psyllids have been found to be infected with the bacterium. How TPP spread to New Zealand, Norfolk Island and WA may never be known, but the illegal importation of infested plant material is strongly suspected.
Another way that this pest may spread is through long distance migration on strong weather systems from New Zealand.
Since 2011, the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture has been conducting a surveillance program for TPP in commercial potato crops in eastern Australia.
The project is funded by processing potato companies (Simplot Australia Pty, McCain Foods, Smiths Snackfood Company and Snack Brands Australia) and matched by the Federal Government through Horticulture Innovation Australia.
Yellow sticky traps are placed in potato crops across Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia and then sent to institute entomologists to be screened for the presence of TPP. More than 2300 traps have been set in Tasmanian potato crops and screening has determined that, to date, we are free of TPP.
Additional traps have been placed in potato crops throughout Tasmania in response to the recent incursion in WA.
Another part of the surveillance project has been training industry personnel how to recognise TPP and symptoms of zebra chip disease in potatoes.
Further details can be found at: www.utas.edu.au/tia/centres/vegetables/monitoring-psyllids- and-psyllid-predators-in- australian-potato- crops.
Suspected sightings of TPP should be immediately reported to Biosecurity Tasmania on 1800 084 881.
