Tomato potato psyllid
Tomato potato psyllid (TPP), Bactericera cockerelli, is a tiny sap-sucking, winged insect that feeds on feeds on numerous plants including tomato, potato, capsicum, chilli, goji berry, tamarillo, eggplant and sweet potato.
It is a significant pest that causes production losses and can spread a serious plant disease known as 'zebra chip' in potato, caused by the Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) bacterium. CLso has not been detected in Australia.
TPP was first detected in Western Australia in February 2017. The origin of the incursion is unknown. There have been no confirmed reports of TPP in Victoria.
Identifying tomato potato psyllid
The psyllid is a tiny sap-sucking insect that go through three stages of development:
- egg
- nymph
- adult.
Adult TPP resemble small winged cicadas and are about 3mm long (Figs 1–3). 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 (Fig. 1).
Nymphs moult five times, getting progressively larger each time up to 2mm long. They are oval shaped, flattened and scale-like in appearance (Figs 1 & 2).
Psyllid eggs are less than 1mm 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.
How commercial growers and residents can help
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.
When present in a crop, noticeable signs of TPP include:
- insects jumping from the foliage when disturbed
- severe wilting of plants caused by high numbers of psyllids feeding
- yellowing of leaf margins and upward curling of the leaves
- white sugar-like granules (excreted by adults and nymphs), which coat the plant leaves and stems, and can lead to the development of sooty mould (Fig. 4)
- ants may be present to collect the sugar-like granules
- stem death symptoms are similar to other potato and tomato disorders.
Growers are reminded that it is an offence under the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 not to report a suspect case of tomato potato psyllid or bacterium.
Restrictions on bringing host material into Victoria
To minimise the risk of tomato potato psyllid entering 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:
- the latest Industry Notice in the Plant Quarantine Manual
- from your local Plant Standards Officer 136 186 or by emailing plant.standards@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Reporting an unusual pest or disease of plants
Report any unusual plant pest or disease immediately using our online reporting system or by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Early reporting increases the chance of effective control and eradication.
Please take multiple good quality photos of the pests or damage to include in your report where possible, as this is essential for rapid pest and disease diagnosis and response.
Your report will be responded to by an experienced staff member who may seek more information about the detection and explain next steps.
Report onlinePhoto credits
All figures courtesy of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Western Australia.