Investigation into the entry pathway for tomato potato psyllid <i>Bactericera cockerelli</i>

Abstract

The tomato potato psyllid (TPP) Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera Triozidae) was first notified to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) in May 2006 although it has been suggested by several authors to have been present in New Zealand in 2005 MAF undertook an entry pathway analysis during the initial investigation into TPP in 2006 TPP is a vector of the bacteriumlike pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (liberibacter) and MAF further analysed the entry pathway of TPP during the liberibacter incursion response in 2008 This paper summarises the data and reasoning behind the conclusion that TPP was most plausibly introduced to New Zealand as a result of smuggling rather than through slippage on regulated pathways

Stylet penetration activities linked to the acquisition and inoculation of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum by its vector tomato potato psyllid

“…The TPP is a phloem feeder, with a wide range of hosts (Wallis, 1951;Martin, 2008;Thomas et al, 2011) within the families Solanaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Laminaceae (Martin, 2008;Thomas et al, 2011). Its feeding on host plants is highly associated with Lso transmission (Butler et al, 2011;Levy et al, 2011).…”

Bactericera cockerelli

“…Long distance transport of different life stages of this insect pest is possible, particularly by commercial trade of plants in the family Solanaceae, which constitute major hosts for B. cockerelli. This insect was introduced into New Zealand, and was proabably transported with plant material from Western USA, possibly as eggs Thomas et al, 2011). Entry on fruit of host species (e.g.…”

The tomato potato psyllid,Bactericera cockerelli(Šulc, 1909) (Hemiptera: Triozidae): a review of the threat of the psyllid to Australian solanaceous crop industries and surveillance for incursions in potato crops

“…Bactericera cockerelli most likely entered New Zealand as a result of smuggling psyllid‐infected primary host material (possibly chilli peppers) from the Americas, rather than through the accidental transportation on consignments of fresh produce through regulated pathways (Thomas et al . ). How B. cockerelli arrived in Norfolk Island is presently unknown (Anon.…”

“…Given the geographical distance between New Zealand and areas known to be infested with B. cockerelli in the Americas, and lack of records of psyllids established on islands in between, it is unlikely that B. cockerelli entered New Zealand by dispersing on the wind (Thomas et al . ). However, long‐distance migration by a psyllid is not unknown as the leucaeana psyllid ( Heteropsylla cubana Crawford) is thought to have spread naturally from Central America through to Asia and onto eastern Africa on air currents via several islands in between including Hawaii, Western Samoa, Fiji, the Philippines, New Guinea, Indonesia, Mauritius and Reunion (Bray ; Thomas et al .…”

“…Current evidence suggests that the B. cockerelli present in New Zealand originated from the western range of the psyllid in North and/or Central America (Thomas et al . ) from the invasive biotype rather than the native biotype.…”