Tomato growers have been urged to monitor their crops following the detection of tomato potato psyllid in a glasshouse at a tomato production facility on the Bellarine Peninsula. Tomato potato psyllid (TPP; Bactericera cockerelli) is a small insect that feeds on hosts such as tomato, potato, eggplant, chili, and capsicum.
A glasshouse tomato producer reported an insect infestation to Agriculture Victoria. Surveillance has since found TPP at further locations within 1.5km of the glasshouse. TPP can spread a serious plant disease known as 'zebra chip' in potatoes when it is linked with the Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) bacterium. CLso has not been detected.
Victoria's chief plant health officer Dr Rosa Crnov said the early detection of TPP would enable Victorian producers and gardeners to step up vigilant monitoring and ensure crops are safeguarded from exotic biosecurity threats.
"To support the surveillance activities, tomato producers are encouraged to monitor their crops and to contact Agriculture Victoria if they suspect that TPP might be present," Dr Crnov said.
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