This year a newly-introduced plant pest has been found in the Perth area: the tomato potato psyllid, a tiny sucking insect that attacks plants within the nightshade family.
The tiny bug has long been a significant nuisance to growers in North America and New Zealand, but until now it had not been sighted anywhere in Australia.
Because it can cause considerable damage in the agriculture and horticulture industries, it is very important to prevent the spread of the psyllid where possible.
The agriculture department is asking all vegetable growers – both commercial and domestic – to check their tomatoes, potatoes, capsicum, chillies, sweet potatoes, and other plants in the nightshade family for signs of psyllid.
The pest has three distinct phases of life, and usually inhabit the underside of leaves.
First they’re laid as a small whitish egg attached to the surface of a leaf by a short, vertical stalk.
Once hatched, the psyllid nymphs are about 2mm with yellow-orange bodies and tiny red eyes.
They then develop into an adult, 3mm long, which has a brown body and transparent cicada-like wings.
You might notice an infestation of tomato potato psyllid if the insects jump when you disturb the plant by shaking it or while watering.
Because they suck the sap from the leaves, you might also notice severe wilting in plants that should be healthy, or yellowing and curling in the leaves.
The psyllids also produce a secretion similar to sugar crystals that you might be able to see on the surface of the leaves. This can attract ants.
Of course, many of these symptoms are shared with other plant problems, so it’s important that if you suspect you may have an infestation of tomato potato psyllid that you take a sample of the plant (either a cutting of the affected leaves/stem sealed in a plastic bag, or a photo) to your local nursery.
It’s also important to report any potential psyllid sightings to the agriculture department, by emailing info@agric.wa.gov.au or calling 1800 084 881 to help them limit spread.
At present the agriculture department has issued a quarantine area around Perth with a border at the southern end of Singleton, Karnup and Serpentine/Jarrahdale, so avoid bringing any plants from north of that boundary into regions further south.
Do you have a gardening question for Jess? Send your queries to jess.cockerill@fairfaxmedia.com.au
