This is the final report for the project “Native psyllid populations and the distribution of Candidatus
phytoplasma australiense”, Project number PT10001. The recent accidental introduction of the
tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) into New Zealand has raised fears that this insect pest
could readily enter Australia and have a similar devastating impact on local solanaceous crop
industries. The psyllid is a vector of the bacterium, “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum”, which is
associated with psyllid yellows disease in tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums, eggplants and tamarillos,
and zebra chip disease in potatoes. Another plant disease “Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense”
was also recently discovered in New Zealand potatoes and psyllids were implicated in its spread. This
report details outcomes from Project PT10001 which aimed to provide potato growers and industry
stakeholders with an early warning system to detect incursions of the tomato potato psyllid in the
major potato growing areas of eastern Australia, using a network of yellow sticky traps. A literature
review on the tomato psyllid, Liberibacter and Phytoplasma complex is provided, and baseline data
on the number and types of native psyllids caught in potato fields are given. The likelihood of native
psyllids playing a role in the transmission of Liberibacter/Phytoplasma in potatoes is discussed.
The recent accidental introduction of the tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) into New Zealand has raised fears that this insect pest could readily enter Australia and have a similar devastating impact on local solanaceous crop industries. The psyllid is a vector of the bacterium, “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum”, which is associated with psyllid yellows disease in tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums, eggplants and tamarillos, and zebra chip disease in potatoes. Another plant disease “Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense” was also recently discovered in New Zealand potatoes and the tomato potato psyllid was implicated in its spread. This phytoplasma is present in Australia, where it affects several economically important species of plants, but has not been detected in potatoes. The finding of the Phytoplasma in New Zealand potatoes has raised concerns that it could potentially be transmitted into Australian potato crops by native psyllid species. The tomato potato psyllid could enter Australia either through the accidental importation of infested plant material or by the natural dispersal of psyllids on easterly airflows from New Zealand. Yellow sticky traps are an effective method for detecting the presence of adult tomato potato psyllids.
This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.
