🛑 Biosecurity Update: Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP)

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As a trusted supplier of tomato, potato, capsicum, and chilli seedlings, QP Seedlings is focused on protecting your crops from the devastating Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP). This tiny, sap-sucking pest poses a massive threat to our industry.

Below is a simplified guide to TPP, its risks, and our crucial operational update for all customers.

🔎 Quick Guide to TPP Identification

 

Photo: Dan Johns

TPP (Bactericera cockerelli) is an exotic plant pest that attacks plants in the Solanaceae (tomato, potato) and Convolvulaceae (sweet potato) families.

It causes two major threats:

1. Psyllid Yellows: A toxin injected during feeding that severely stunts the plant.

2. Zebra Chip Disease Risk: TPP can carry the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), which causes "Zebra Chip" in potatoes. (Note: CLso is currently NOT in Australia, but the psyllid is.)

📋 TPP Insect Identification

Life Stage	Description	Key Locations to Check
Adult	Tiny (3 mm), brownish, resembles a miniature cicada. Jumps/flies when disturbed. Has a distinctive broad white band on the abdomen.	On leaves, stems, and new growth.
Nymph	Flat, oval, scale-like, up to 2 mm. Yellowish-green to orange. Immobile.	Crucially on the underside of leaves.
Residue	Small, white, sticky, sugar-like granules (honeydew).	On leaves and stems.

🛑 Psyllid Yellows Symptoms

Symptom Category	Details
Discolouration	Leaves turn yellow or purple, especially at the margins.
Leaf Distortion	New leaves are curled upward, cupped, or look spiky/upright.
Growth Impact	Plant becomes significantly stunted or dwarfed with short internodes.
Severe Stage	Severe wilting or stem death may occur.

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🌍 TPP History and Biosecurity Alerts

TPP is native to Central America and spread through North America before establishing itself across New Zealand in 2006. It was first detected in Australia in Western Australia (WA) in early 2017.

📰 Latest AUSVEG & Victorian Updates

Recent detections of TPP in Victoria (November 2024 and October 2025) have triggered stricter biosecurity measures:

• New Restrictions: Effective 8 December 2025, all businesses moving TPP host plants interstate from Victoria must comply with complex new entry requirements, including certification or mandatory treatment protocols for destinations like Queensland and Tasmania.

• Action: AUSVEG is coordinating with industry and government bodies to help growers navigate these complex compliance changes.

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🔒 QP Seedlings Operational Biosecurity Update

To ensure full compliance and prioritise the protection of TPP-free states, QP Seedlings has implemented a difficult but necessary temporary halt on shipments of all TPP host and carrier plants to certain jurisdictions.

Destination	Restriction Status	Reason
Western Australia (WA)	Shipment Ceased	Long-standing policy; TPP is established here.
Northern Territory (NT)	Shipment Ceased	Long-standing biosecurity policy.
Queensland (QLD)	Shipment Ceased (Dec 2025)	Due to complex new certification/treatment requirements from 8 Dec 2025.
Tasmania (TAS)	Shipment Ceased (Dec 2025)	Due to complex new certification/treatment requirements, including mandatory fumigation.

We apologise for any disruption. This measure is temporary and focused on maintaining the highest biosecurity standards.

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✅ Action Plan for All Growers

1. Monitor: Check the underside of your leaves every week for nymphs and the white sugary residue.

2. Hygiene: Keep your growing area clean of weeds (especially Solanaceous weeds).

3. Report: If you suspect TPP, do NOT move the plant material. Report it immediately.

☎️ Exotic Plant Pest Hotline: 1800 084 881

🔗 Official Resources