Biosecurity alert: tomato potato psyllid detected in Victoria
5 March 2025
A significant biosecurity concern has emerged for Australia's horticulture industry following the detection of the tomato potato psyllid (TPP; Bactericera cockerelli) in Victoria.
The psyllid was found in a protected tomato cropping facility in southwest Victoria, with further detections reported within 1.5 km of the initial site.
Agriculture Victoria, in collaboration with stakeholders, is actively managing the outbreak. John McDonald, Director of RDE and Biosecurity at Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA), has called for an industry-wide response to contain the pest.
“Detecting TPP in Victoria is a wake-up call. Proactive management is essential to limit its spread,” said Mr McDonald.
TPP targets solanaceous plants, including tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums and eggplants. Although it causes minor crop damage, it has the potential to introduce Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) – the bacterial cause of Zebra chip disease in potatoes – which poses a significant risk to Australian agriculture.
While testing has not found the CLso bacteria to date, Mr McDonald emphasised the importance of rigorous biosecurity measures for nursery stock growers to safeguard healthy, pest-free plants critical to the horticulture industry.
Grower action plan
Production nurseries and growers are pivotal in limiting TPP’s spread. GIA recommends:
- enhanced hygiene: regularly clean tools, machinery, and surfaces; restrict access to high-risk areas
- frequent monitoring: inspect plants for signs of TPP, such as yellowing leaves or tiny psyllids
- safe sourcing: purchase from certified suppliers and inspect deliveries
- integrated pest management: work with experts to develop pre-harvest chemical and natural predator strategies.
TPP is classified as an exotic pest under Victoria’s Plant Biosecurity Act 2010. If you suspect a case, you must report it rto Agriculture Victoria at plant.protection@agriculture.vic.gov.au or online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/reportpestsonline. For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/tpp.
