Tomato Potato Psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) is an insect pest that affects solanaceous crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums, and eggplants, as well as Convolvulaceae species including sweetpotato. It can cause significant damage by feeding on plants and transmitting the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, which leads to plant diseases.
Current situation
Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) is present in Western Australia and Victoria.
New South Wales remains free from TPP.
Detections of TPP in Victoria in late 2025 has resulted in Victoria revoking their area freedom status. As of Monday 8 December 2025, stricter entry conditions apply to Victorian TPP host plants and carriers moving into New South Wales (NSW). These measures aim to support compliance, maintain market confidence, and safeguard NSW’s TPP-free status.
Current ToBRFV market access advice for NSW stakeholders can be accessed here.
Relevant legislation:
- Biosecurity (Tomato Potato Psyllid) Control Order 2024 (PDF, 332.19 KB)
- Group Biosecurity Permits for host plant material and carriers
Pest information
What does it look like?
Tomato Potato Psyllid is a tiny sap-sucking insect that develops through three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
Adults:
- About 3 mm long
- Resemble small winged cicadas
- Brownish body with white or yellow markings on the chest and a broad white band on the abdomen
- Transparent wings held vertically over the body
Eggs:
- Less than 1 mm long
- White when first laid, turning yellow to orange within hours
Nymphs:
- Up to 2 mm long
- Oval, flattened, and scale-like in appearance
What should I look for?
TPP feeds on above-ground parts of the plant. Population pressure and disease transmission can affect the whole plant.
Signs of psyllid feeding include:
- Presence of ‘psyllid sugar’ (white granules on leaves)
- Yellowing or purpling of leaf midribs and margins
- Leaves that are cupped, narrow, and upright, giving the plant a feathery look
- Psyllid yellows syndrome, which can resemble symptoms of the exotic disease zebra chip
Other warning signs:
- Yellowing, stunting, leaf curling or cupping
- Leaf purpling, fruit distortion, shortened internodes
These symptoms should be investigated promptly because zebra chip disease (currently exotic to Australia) requires TPP as a vector.
How does it spread?
TPP can spread via:
- Movement of plants and plant material (including fruit, vegetables, and nursery stock)
- Horticultural machinery and equipment
- Wind and flight
Adult psyllids can fly short distances and be carried long distances by wind or vehicles. Nymphs do not fly but can hitchhike on infested plant material.
Reporting
Tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) is a notifiable plant pest in NSW.
All notifiable plant pests and diseases must be reported within 1 working day. You can report notifiable plant pests and diseases by one of the following methods:
- Call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881
- Email quarantine@dpird.nsw.gov.au with a clear photo and your contact details
- Complete an online form
A full list of notifiable plant pests and diseases can be found in Schedule 2 of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.