Biosecurity Alert - Perixera illepidaria – Mango shoot looper

Situation

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is responding to a detection of an exotic moth, Mango shoot looper (Perixera illepidaria). It was found in a commercial mango orchid at Mutchilba, Far North Queensland. In September 2021, the pest was reported causing significant damage to flower panicles and young fruit. Observations indicate that the looper primarily attacks the flowers and fruits of mango but may also feed on the vegetative flush. Subsequent detections have been reported by local agronomists and by DAF surveillance staff on several other commercial mango properties. These properties are located at Mutchilba, Mareeba and Bibhoora on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland.Source: QDAF

In October 2021, a suspect sample was collected at a property in Kennedy which is 200 km from the original detection sites. The sample was morphologically consistent with previous Mango shoot looper samples, but confirmatory tests are still underway, however if confirmed the pest infested area will be at least a 200km radius.

Queensland DAF is continuing with its surveillance in Far North Queensland to determine how widespread the moth is. So far, commercial and non-commercial properties have been inspected in Airville, Lakeland, Giru, Kelso, Tolga, Cooktown. Given the possible distribution with confirmed and suspect sightings, it is likely the moth has been present in the area for at least this flowering season and it may have been present at undetected lower levels for a longer period.

DAF is also working closely with the potentially affected plant industries. Biosecurity Queensland’s chemical use staff are liaising with industry and Agri-Science Queensland to determine which chemicals may be effective against Mango shoot looper. Applying for emergency use permits and registering chemical is a priority for the department.

The Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) on 27 October 2021 met to discuss the detections. The committee agreed that Mango shoot looper is an emergency plant pest under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, however, it also agreed that it is not technically feasible to eradicate. This is because:

• It spreads quickly
• It is persistence in the environment, and
• Quarantine measures are ineffective to contain it

Mango shoot looper is a pest of mango and lychee with other fruit trees considered potential hosts including rambutan, logan, cashew and pistachio. Similar to other loopers, the Mango shoot looper is differentiated by the colour and the silken threads the larvae (looper) use to move around the canopy, size being 2mm wide and between 17mm and 22mm long.

Identification information here

All growers are encouraged to report any signs of loopers on host plants to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Instructions will be given on how to collect and submit samples for identification. Your cooperation will assist in delimiting the spread of this unwanted new pest species.

For further information email John McDonald, GIA National Biosecurity Manager : john.mcdonald@greenlifeindustry.com.au

Developed by the GIA National Biosecurity & Sustainable Plant Production Program Team 2021