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30 September 2025
What has happened
Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) was found in Victoria in November 2024. This was the first detection in Australia outside of Western Australia. Delimiting surveillance has demonstrated TPP is present within a 10 km zone on the Bellarine Peninsula. While Agriculture Victoria undertakes further investigations, a Restricted Area (RA) has been established to stop the pest spreading further.
Testing of insects and plant material has shown no evidence of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), the bacterium responsible for zebra chip disease in potatoes. TPP is a known vector of this disease overseas. Australia remains free of CLso.
Spring surveillance program
Agriculture Victoria will be undertaking further surveillance for TPP between October and December 2025. This will provide confidence that the infestation has been contained. This includes:
Sampling and testing of primary host and host weeds for CLso at locations where TPP is present.
Sampling outside of the RA for TPP, focusing on residential properties in areas in which TPP may have spread.
Sampling and testing of primary hosts and host weeds in production areas within predicted spread areas.
Restricted Area information
A Restricted Area has been established that covers the known infestation areas on the Bellarine Peninsula (for further information see the Agriculture Victoria website – details below).
Plants or plant products including tomato, potato, eggplant, chilli and capsicum, cannot be moved out of the RA. This includes plants, fruits/vegetables, cuttings and waste material.
The prohibition does not apply:
to tubers, bulbs, corms and rhizomes without attached green material, or
to fresh fruit/vegetables without leaves, calyx or other attached green material, or
to green waste which is double bagged and placed in general waste bins for disposal through a council collection service, or
if a permit has been provided by Agriculture Victoria.
If you are seeking a permit to move host material from the RA, please email Agriculture Victoria at market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
In your email, please provide:
- the address of where you would like to move host material from
- the type of host material
- your intended date of movement.
Information on TPP
The tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) is a tiny sap-sucking insect that attacks a range of plants including potato, tomato, eggplant, capsicum, chilli, tamarillo and sweet potato.
Adults resemble small, winged cicadas and are about 3mm long. Nymphs have flattened oval pale yellow to green or orange scale-like bodies and red eyes. More mature nymphs have wing buds and are fringed with hairs. Eggs are less than 1mm long, orange to yellow or green with a short stalk and are often found on the lower leaf surface or along the leaf stalk.
When TPP is present in a crop, noticeable signs include insects jumping from the foliage when disturbed. Plants may wilt severely, and growth is stunted when heavily infested. Leaves may show yellowing along the edges and upward curling.
White, sugar-like granules excreted by TPP can coat leaves and stems, leading to the development of sooty mould which may make plants appear dirty.
What you can do
If you suspect TPP (Tomato Potato Psyllid) may be present on your property, notify Agriculture Victoria:
🌐 Via the website: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/reportpestsonline
📧 By email: plant.protection@agriculture.vic.gov.au
📞 By phone: Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881
📸 When reporting suspect pests, good photos are helpful.
For a guide on taking clear pest images, visit: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/takeaphoto
More information
Visit the Agriculture Victoria website for more information about TPP.
For further information on this Biosecurity Update please email market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
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