Tomato potato psyllid

Restricted zoning in response to tomato potato psyllid detection in Victoria

• See the biosecurity update (December 2024) (PDF - 242.0 KB)

What has happened

Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) was found in Victoria in November 2024. This is the first detection in Australia outside Western Australia. All detections to date have been found within a 3 km zone near Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula. While Agriculture Victoria undertakes further investigations, measures are being put in place to stop the pest spreading further.

Testing of insects and plant material has shown no evidence of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), the bacterium responsible for zebra chip in potatoes. TPP is a known vector of this disease overseas. Australia remains free of CLso.

Current situation

All detections have been limited to a 3 km zone and genetic analysis has shown the Victorian population is the same as that found in Western Australia. To stop the spread of TPP any further, a restricted area has been established under the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010, which extends 5 km from all detections (see map below). The movement of host material from the restricted area is prohibited.

Restricted area information

Plants or plant products from the Convolvulaceae or Solanaceae families cannot be moved out of the restricted area. This includes the plants, fruits/vegetables, cuttings and waste material.

Map of the tomato potato psyllid restricted area.

The restrictions do not apply:

• to tubers (including dormant seed, ware and processing potatoes), bulbs, corms and rhizomes without attached green material (e.g. leaves, stem etc.)
• to fresh fruit/vegetables without leaves, calyx or other attached green material
• to green waste which is double bagged and placed in general waste bins for disposal through a council collection service
• if a permit has been provided by Agriculture Victoria.

Obtaining a permit to move from the restricted area

If you are seeking a permit to move host material from the restricted area, you can email Agriculture Victoria at market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call 1800 878 962.

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 3 mm 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.

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 TPP is present in a crop, noticeable signs include insects jumping from the foliage when disturbed, as adults (often called ‘jumping plant lice’) readily jump or fly. Plants may wilt severely when heavily infested and leaves may show yellowing along the edges and upward curling.

White, sugar-like granules excreted by psyllids can coat leaves and stems, leading to the development of sooty mould. Sticky honeydew and psyllid sugar make plants appear dirty. Growth may be stunted, with shortened stem internodes and stem death that resembles other potato and tomato disorders. Early detection is essential to minimise damage.

What you can do

If you suspect TPP may be present on your property, you must notify Agriculture Victoria by any of these means:

• via the website at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/reportpestsonline
• by mailing to plant.protection@agriculture.vic.gov.au
• calling on 1800 084 881.

Growers are reminded that it is an offence under the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 not to report a suspected case of tomato potato psyllid or bacterium.

When reporting suspect pests, good photos are helpful. For a guide on taking good pest images, please visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/takeaphoto

Commercial and residential growers of host crops are advised to regularly check their crops for signs of TPP, which can be found on the underside of leaves.

Identifying tomato potato psyllid

The psyllid is a tiny sap-sucking insect that goes through 3 stages of development:

1. Egg
2. Nymph
3. Adult

Adult TPPs resemble small-winged cicadas and are about 3 mm long (Figures 1 to 3). The body is brownish and has white or yellowish markings on the thorax and a broad white band on the abdomen. Wings are transparent and held vertically over the body (Figure 1).

Nymphs moult 5 times, getting progressively larger each time, up to 2 mm long. They are oval shaped, flattened and scale-like in appearance (Figures 1 and 2).

Psyllid eggs are less than 1 mm long and are white when first laid, then turn yellow to orange after a few hours. The psyllid can spread through the movement of plants and plant materials, including fruit, vegetables and nursery stock, and on horticultural machinery and equipment. The psyllid can also fly short distances or be carried by wind.

Figure 1: TPP adults and nymphs.

Figure 2: TPP adult size compared to a 5 cent piece.

Figure 3: TPP adults, nymphs and empty moulting cases on the underside of a leaf.

Figure 4: Psyllid sugars on leaf.

Growers are reminded that it is an offence under the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 not to report a suspected case of tomato potato psyllid or bacterium.

Restrictions on bringing host material into Victoria

To minimise the risk of tomato potato psyllid entering other areas of Victoria, restrictions apply to movement of host material (host plants, vegetables and fruits) sourced from any state or territory unless it meets market access requirements.

Advice on moving plant products can be found:

• in the latest industry notice in the Plant Quarantine Manual
• from your local plant standards officer on 136 186 or by emailing plant.standards@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Photo credits

All figures courtesy of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Western Australia.