Download Look out for Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) Bactericera cockerelli

Plant Pest Threat - The Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) Bactericera cockerelli
Look out for Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) Bactericera cockerelli
Adult Psyllids and eggs on a leaf. Adults are approximately 2mm long. Note the
characteristic white band on the adults and also the position and shape of eggs.
Photo courtesy of Plant & Food Research New Zealand
What is it?
The Tomato Potato Psyllid is a small flying insect that if established in Australia would result in millions of
dollars being lost from the tomato and potato sector. On its own, the insect causes yield losses of over 50 per
cent but it can also carry a disease (Liberibacter) which kills plants.
The disease can be transmitted in a matter of hours between insect and plant and vice versa. Wherever it has
occurred, the effects have been disastrous. It is important to be vigilant for early warning signs of this pest as
it will be impossible to eradicate once it becomes established.
What does the tomato/potato psyllid look like?
The adult tomato/potato psyllid is about the size of an adult aphid but looks like a tiny cicada under
magnification. The female lays yellow eggs that are attached by stalks to plant leaves, usually to the leaf
edges. Psyllid nymphs hatch from these eggs and after five moults become adults. The nymphs are flat scalelike insects which are mostly inactive but move when disturbed.
Nymphs and adults feed by sucking plant juices, which is how they are thought to spread Liberibacter.
Nymphs and adults secrete plant sap as white granules called ‘psyllid sugars’ which can be seen on the
leaves. In humid conditions and where there are large numbers of psyllids, black sooty mould fungi can grow
on the sugars. Dense sooty mould on leaves may reduce photosynthesis, but this is rarely a problem on
outdoor plants as the psyllid sugars are usually removed by wind and rain.
What do I look for?
Adults and nymphs favour the lower parts of the plant. It is therefore necessary to look at this region if psyllids
are suspected. To inspect, grasp the plant near the crown and invert the stems toward one’s self so that the
underside of the plant is facing upwards. Most nymphs and adults are found on the underside of leaves in the
middle or lower part of the plant and especially near the margins of the crop. The adults will fly a short
distance and quickly settle again and as mentioned above they behave like whitefly. If nymphs are present
they will appear as small discs on the underside of the leaf. Colour ranges from light green to olive brown.
Unlike whitefly nymphs, they will move slightly if disturbed by gentle prodding. Whitefly nymphs do not move.
Plant Pest Threat - The Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) Bactericera cockerelli
Psyllid nymphs on the underside of a potato leaf.
Photo courtesy of Plant & Food Research New Zealand
Hosts
The tomato/potato psyllid breeds mainly on plants in the Solanaceae (potato and tomato family), but can also
attack some species of Convolvulaceae (kumara and bindweed family). Other host plants of the tomato/potato
psyllid include Apple of Peru, capsicum, chilli, egg plant, kumara, poroporo, tamarillo and thornapple.
Summary
Be vigilant; check out all apparent growth/disease issues.
Key Signs
Yellowing/purpling of foliage
•
Narrowing and cupping of leaves
•
• Dead ‘Flag’ stems
•
Aerial tubers
•
Chaining tubers
•
Greyish appearing whiteflies that fly ahead of you when walking through crops
•
Vascular discolouration in tubers.
If you suspect you have found psyllids try and collect specimens and notify relevant state authorities
immediately (see right).
Do Not Delay; They Will Not Go Away By Themselves.
If you see anything unusual, call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881
Plant Pest Threat - The Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) Bactericera cockerelli
Supported By
Queensland Government
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
New South Wales Government
Primary Industries Agriculture
ACT Government
Territory and Municipal Services
Victorian Government
Department of Environment and Primary Industries
Tasmanian Government
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
South Australian Government
Primary Industries and Regions
Western Australian Government
Department of Agriculture and Food
Northern Territory Government
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Commonwealth Government
Department of Agriculture
Disclaimer
The material in this publication was prepared from the most up-to-date information available at the time of
publication. It is intended as a guide only and the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors.
Revised
9 November 2013