In August 2019, all states and territories commenced a three-year national tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) surveillance program, designed for the early detection of and preparedness for TPP should it cross from Western Australia into other regions.

As AUSVEG National TPP Coordinator Alan Nankivell reports in this article, two strategies have been employed.

These are to focus on urban and peri-urban regions and to engage the community in an “Adopt a Trap” initiative, where department staff and community members have volunteered to put out traps and collect them.

A strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Nursery, Potato – Fresh, Potato – Processing and Vegetable Funds, National tomato potato psyllid and zebra chip surveillance (MT18008) has incorporated the learnings from the initial detection of TPP in Perth over three years ago.

The project is being facilitated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia.

Read more in this article, which is featured in the latest edition of Vegetables Australia magazine.