Dr Saleh Adnan1, Mr Craig Maddox1, Mr Peter Entwistle3, Ms Lauren Hamilton3, Mr Jay Anderson2

1NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wollongbar, Australia, 2Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia, 3Australian Tea Tree Industry Association Ltd, Casino, Australia

Biography:

Biography to come.

Abstract:

Tea tree Psyllid Trioza melaleucae Martoni presents the most challenging pest issue for high valued native tea tree industry in Eastern Australia. Psyllids usually limit tree establishment, retard coppice growth, delay first harvest, and thereby overall productivity is impacted. Under a favourable micro-climate, winged females can establish larger populations on newly planted seedlings that results in severe growth interruption. Psyllids have been reported to establish in isolated commercial plantations even seedlings were sourced from psyllid free nursery, likewise, there may be widespread unknown non-crop plant species that act as reservoirs of egg laying psyllids and may support the psyllid bridge intervals in absence of a tea tree crop. In the present study, we have performed field samplings as well as laboratory assays to assess the potential of other plant species as alternative hosts, especially those found in and/or around tea tree plantations. In addition, seasonal pattern of psyllid damage to tea tree crops at different growth stages is not well understood. Primarily psyllid populations have been favoured by the lower temperature that matches with the optimum timing for tea tree planting and therefore, seedlings planted in Autumn remain vulnerable to severe psyllid attack. The psyllid population was also dominant in mature crops during wet and cooler months. The potential ability of the tea tree psyllid to vector plant pathogenic bacteria is a significant biosecurity concern to the citrus and vegetable industries. Given the knowledge on its ability to vector fungal pathogens remains rudimentary, we have undertaken laboratory bioassays to examine the potential of psyllids to act as vectors for plant diseases (fungal and novel Liberibacter). Overall, our study provides better understanding on Tea tree psyllid life stage traits, seasonal phenology, and its disease vectoring potential.

Keywords: Tea tree, Psyllid, Biology, Vector, Biosecurity