Tomato potato psyllid
Tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) is a tiny sap-sucking, winged insect.
It can spread a serious plant disease known as zebra chip in potato, caused by the Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) bacterium.
Background
Central America is believed to be the native range of Bactericera cockerelli, the tomato potato psyllid (TPP).
It spread internationally and was established in New Zealand by around 2006.
TPP was first detected in Australia near Perth, Western Australia, in February 2017, and is now established in that state.
Until late 2024, there had been no detections outside of Western Australia.
In November 2024, TPP was first confirmed in southwest Victoria, with another detection in a home garden in Melbourne’s northern suburbs in November 2025.
Further information on the situation in Victoria is available on the Agriculture Victoria website.
Genetic analysis suggests that the Victorian TPP population originated from Western Australia.
South Australia is monitoring the situation and has updated import controls following the most recent interstate detection.
Australia remains free of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), the bacterium carried by TPP that causes zebra chip disease in potatoes.
Impact
TPP causes significant production losses by feeding on tomato, potato, capsicum, chilli, goji berry, tamarillo, eggplant, sweet potato, and solanaceous weeds like nightshade.
The disease presents through symptoms such as:
- severe wilting of plants caused by high numbers of psyllids feeding
- yellowing or purpling leaf margins
- upward curling or cupping of leaves, dwarfing and stunting
- white sugar-like granules excreted by adults and nymphs, which coat the plant leaves and stems – this may lead to sooty mould or attract ants
- stem death, similar to other potato and tomato disorders.
Identification
When present in a crop, TPP can be seen jumping from the foliage when disturbed. They have 3 stages of development.
Eggs are up to 1 mm long and attached to the plant by a short vertical thread. They are laid on the lower surface of leaves, or along the leaf stalk. Eggs are white at first, before turning yellow to orange after a few hours.
Nymphs are up to 2 mm long, oval shaped, flattened and scale-like in appearance. Young nymphs are yellow with a pair of red eyes and 3 pairs of short legs. Older nymphs are greenish, fringed with hairs, and have visible wing buds.
Adult psyllids resemble small, winged cicadas and are about 3 mm long. The body is brownish and has white or yellowish markings on the chest and a broad white band on the abdomen. Wings are transparent and held vertically over the body.
Management
Control TPP using biosecurity practices to limit spread between growing facilities. This includes:
- inspecting your crops regularly and reporting unusual growth
- using pest-free propagation material and seedlings, sourced from a reputable supplier
- keeping equipment and vehicles clean and free of plant matter
- wearing clean clothing before visiting other growers’ properties
- teaching on-farm hygiene practices to all workers and visitors.
Import restrictions
Condition 17 of the Plant Quarantine Standard details restrictions and prohibitions on hosts in the solanaceae and convolvulaceae families. This affects products like potatoes, tomatoes, capsicums, eggplants and sweet potato.
Learn more about importing commercial plants and plant products into SA.
Biosecurity SA continues to undertake surveillance activities on commercial and residential properties across the state. This is essential to protect the state’s horticultural industry and prevent quarantine restrictions to trade.