Community Alert - Tomato Potato Psyllid

Click here to view the community alert for the Tomato Potato Psyllid, issued by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA.

Further information: Help protect our local horticulture industry

In response to a potential threat to WA's horticulture industry, the Department of Agriculture and Food WA is calling on community members to be a part of surveillance program which aims to detect and control the exotic pest known as 'tomato potato psyllid'.

This destructive insect pest feeds on a range of plants including potato, tomato, eggplant, capsicum, chilli, tamarillo and sweet potato (as well as the weeds nightshade, ground cherry, matrimony vine and field bind weed). The psyllid has recently been detected in the metropolitan area as well as in Busselton, Margaret River, Gingin and Yarloop.

Whilst local commercial growers are already involved in the surveillance and control activities, local residents who are on either acreage or town blocks, particularly if you have any of the abovementioned plants on your

property, are being encouraged to get involved too.

How you can help

1. Collect a 'trapping tomato potato psyllid' test kit from the Shire of Manjimup Administration Office, Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Shire of Nannup or the Community Resource Centre in Pemberton, Northcliffe or Walpole.

2. Follow the simple instructions on placement of a 'sticky trap' for seven days.