Pest and Disease Management,
Biosecurity risks to Australia and the importance of timing.and the importance of timing.
Robert Spooner-Hart
Western Sydney University
• Quarantine Act 1908: replaced by
• Biosecurity Act 2015, commences 16 June 2016.
Federal Department of Agriculture has primary responsibility for
managing Australia's biosecurity system. AQIS disbanded.
BIOSECURITY IN AUSTRALIA
Core priorities of Biosecurity Act are:
• manage Australia's biosecurity by effectively identifying and targeting
management of risks to focus on the things that matter most
• partner with other governments, industry, clients and stakeholders to
manage Australia's biosecuritymanage Australia's biosecurity
• deliver biosecurity services to support access to overseas markets and
protect the economy and the environment from unwanted pests and
diseases
• support Australia's reputation as a competitive exporter
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA (PHA)
• National coordinator of the government‐industry
partnership for plant biosecurity.
• Not‐for‐profit company servicing its members (major • Not‐for‐profit company servicing its members (major
agricultural industries, the Australian Government and all
state/territory governments) independently advocates
on behalf of the national plant biosecurity system.
• The Australian Olive Association is a member of PHA and • The Australian Olive Association is a member of PHA and
signatory to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed.
o AOA represents the biosecurity interests of olive
producers and the industry.
The Industry
Biosecurity Plan for
the Olive Industry
(2009) (PHA)
“outlines key threats to the
industry, risk mitigation
plans, identification and
categorisation of exotic pests
and contingency plans”
COMMON
NAME
SCIENTIFIC
NAME
ENTRY
POTENTIAL
ESTABLISH
POTENTIAL
SPREAD
POTENTIAL
ECONOMIC
IMPACT
OVERALL
RISK
Olive fly Bactrocera
oleae
MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
Olive thrips Liothrips
oleae
HIGH HIGH 1 HIGH LOW‐
MEDIUM
LOW‐
MEDIUM
OLIVE INDUSTRY PLANT PEST THREAT PRIORITY LIST
oleae MEDIUM MEDIUM
Olive moth Prays
oleae
HIGH HIGH HIGH MEDIUM‐
HIGH
MEDIUM‐
HIGH
Verticillium
wilt
(defoliating
strain)
Verticillium
dahliae
LOW HIGH MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM
Pierce’s Xylella MEDIUM‐ HIGH LOW 2 UNKNOWN UNKNOWNPierce’s
disease (AKA
olive tree
decline)
Xylella
fastidiosa
MEDIUM‐
HIGH
HIGH LOW UNKNOWN UNKNOWN
1 Higher in the presence of bark beetles (provide holes for overwintering)2 Spread potential is vector dependent. Ability of native vectors to transmit disease is unknown, but all
xylem sucking pests are potential vectors. Spread potential would be LOW without but HIGH with
suitable vectors
Olive Fly Bactrocera oleae
Distribution: Mediterranean basin, Africa, Western Asia, India,
Pakistan. Since the late 1990s, present in California (arrived from
Mexico).
Most important and destructive pest of olives, difficult to control
Olive Moth Prays oleae
Damages flowers, fruit and
leaves
Host range relatively limited to
olives and olive family relatives
Present in Mediterranean, but
not central Asia or Nth, Sth
AmericaAmerica
http://www7.inra.fr/hyppz/
RAVAGEUR/6praole.htm
Olive Thrips Liothrips oleae
small insects, 1.5 to 2.5 mm long,
black
3+ generations/year 3+ generations/year
Overwinter as adults in cracks/crevices
Attacks O. europea exclusively
Feed on leaves, flowers, young fruit,
www7.inra.fr/hyppz/RAVAGEUR/6lioole.htm
Feed on leaves, flowers, young fruit,
can significantly impact yield
Occurs in all olive growing areas
of Mediterranean
Verticillium Wilt
Defoliating Strain
Verticillium dahliae D
(defoliating) pathotype can be
identified by symptoms and identified by symptoms and
genetically.
Reported in Southern Spain
(80% of isolates in olive groves
2009), also Tunisia 2011, USA
(cotton, many years).
Detected in Australia in cotton
in NSW and Qld April 2015
(>40% of isolates in 2014/5).
Now known to be present at
least since 1984/5.
Olive tree decline Xylella fastidiosa
• In Europe Xylella fastidiosa first recorded in 2013 in Puglia, Italy,
where it is causing serious damage to olive groves
• In Puglia, the bacterium has been detected in numerous other host • In Puglia, the bacterium has been detected in numerous other host
plants. Quarantine and significant tree destruction used in attempts
to control the outbreak
• wide host range, 309 plant species in 193 genera including Acacia,
Eucalyptus
www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/special_topics/Xylella_fastidiosa/Xylella_fastidiosa.htm
Very recently (22 July 2015) X. fastidiosa detected on Corsica, France.
Bacterium detected on ornamental plants (Polygala myrtifolia) (a
species widely grown in Australia). Quarantine and eradication
measures have immediately been implemented.
Genetic testing indicates the European strain originated from
Colombia. Several different pathovars worldwide, with different hosts.Colombia. Several different pathovars worldwide, with different hosts.
Polygala myrtifolia
• Homalodisca vitripennis
MAJOR VECTOR OF X. fastidiosa in USA:
Glassy sharpshooter Homalodisca vitripennis (Cicadellidae) xylem
feeder. This species is a high quarantine risk pest for Australia (many
crops)
When vector feeds on infected plant X. fastidiosa colonizes the
sharpshooter by forming a biofilm on its mouth‐parts
Australia, like Italy and most other countries, has many native
species of xylem‐feeding cicadellids
One of the major problems
with outbreaks of invasive
pests and diseases is that
the incursion isn’t
detected early enough,
authorities are blamed for
the incursion, or for not
effectively eradicating it.
National surveillance programs
Responsibility > Australian Government, industry (national
associations)
• Barrier quarantine services at all international ports and in the
Torres Strait regionTorres Strait region
• Survey northern coast of Australia, offshore islands and
neighbouring countries for exotic pests
• Phytosanitary certificates (country of origin) / trade
State surveillance programs
Responsibility > State/territory governments, industry/growers
• provision of diagnostic services
• providing field diagnosticians for special field surveillance
COST SHARING CATEGORIES FOR PEST
ERADICATION CAMPAIGNS
Category 1: Very high public benefits
Pest which if not eradicated would: cause major environmental damage to natural
ecosystems; affect human health or significant damage to amenity flora; and have
relatively little impact on commercial crops. 100% Government relatively little impact on commercial crops. 100% Government
Category 2: High public benefits
Pest which if not eradicated would: cause significant public losses either directly
through loss of amenity and/or environmental values and/or very severe economic
impacts on regions and the national economy, through large trade losses; impose major
costs on the industries. 80% Government , 20% Industry
Category 3: Moderate public benefits
Pest which if not eradicated would: primarily harm the industries concerned, but there Pest which if not eradicated would: primarily harm the industries concerned, but there
would also be some significant public costs. 50% Government, 50% Industry
Category 4: Mostly if not wholly private benefits
Pest which if not eradicated would: have little or no public cost implications and little or
no impacts on natural ecosystems. The affected commercial industries would be
adversely affected primarily through additional costs of production, through extra
control costs or nuisance costs. 20% Government, 80% Industry
TIMING IS CRITICAL
IPDM as the key strategy
MONITORING (pests, diseases, damage,
suitable climatic conditions, locations) suitable climatic conditions, locations)
KNOW YOUR ENEMY: ITS LIFE CYCLE, STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
MAKE SURE YOU SELECT A HEALTHY LOCATION
CHOOSE HEALTHY PATIENTS (From reputable nursery, suitable CHOOSE HEALTHY PATIENTS (From reputable nursery, suitable
variety)
KEEP YOUR PATIENT HEALTHY, AND ENJOYING A GOOD LIFESTYLE
(DON’T PUT IT UNDER STRESS): Irrigation, nutrition, pruning etc.
PathogenVirulent
pathogen:
Host Susceptible
• crop
DISEASE (or pest) TRIANGLE
DISEASE
pathogen:
Fungi, Bacteria,
Viruses,
Nematodes,
Mycoplasmas,
Spiroplasmas
• crop
• cultivar
Favourable EnvironmentAir temperature, Soil fertility Rainfall
Soil temperature Soil type Relative humidity
Soil pH Soil moisture
MEDICATION Various pesticides
Preventative (contact) form a protective barrier on
healthy plant surfaces that prevents fungal spores
from germinating or penetrating host tissue (e.g. from germinating or penetrating host tissue (e.g.
Copper)
Curative/Therapeutic/Eradicant (contact (mancozeb,
pyrethroids, oil sprays), or systemic /translaminar
pesticides. Act on pest on or in plant. Fungicides pesticides. Act on pest on or in plant. Fungicides
effective after fungus penetration of plant tissue,
must be applied within a certain time after infection
starts
BLACK SCALE Saissetia oleae (Coccidae)
• Important and widespread insect
pest
• 2 (+?) generations/year. • 2 (+?) generations/year.
Overlapping, particularly in warmer
climates e.g., Qld
Ants and black scale
LIFE CYCLE OF BLACK
SCALE IS CRITICAL TO
MANAGEMENT
Eggs (<thousands per female)
1st instar crawlers
2nd instar settled scales
3rd instar immature females
(H on back, flatter, paler)
Mature females (domed,
dark brown/black)
Males rare, winged
A Mature black scale
female with eggs
B Black scale adults and
crawlers (Scutellista
caerulea on right)
C Young adult female
black scale
Black scale population stage composition S-E Queensland
80
90
100
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
females with eggs
females
3rd instar nymphs
2nd instar nymphs
crawlers
BEST
TIME FOR
OIL
SPRAYS
If second
generation
0
10
Augus
tSep
tem
ber
Oct
ober
Nove
mber
Decem
berJa
nuary
Febru
ary
Mar
ch
April
May Ju
n
July
SpiracleMuscle
Tracheae
Anoxia
(suffocation or
drowning) results
DIRECT ACTION OF OIL SPRAYS AGAINST INSECTS
Tracheal lining
coated with oil
Body
wall
from capillary
movement
of oil into
tracheae
Generally relevant Based on Johnson (1994)
Generally relevant
to mites and small
sessile insects
Non‐systemic
Based on Johnson (1994)
TREATMENT MEAN SE
Trials conducted against immature black scale
after 2nd spray: field trial S-E Queensland
TREATMENT MEAN
NUMBER
SCALE/LEAF
SE
Water 11.12 a 3.41
1% PSO 2.95 b 0.981% PSO 2.95 b 0.98
1.8% PSO 2.11 b 1.06
TREATMENT MEAN SE
Trials conducted against immature black scale
after 2nd spray: field trial central NSW
TREATMENT MEAN
NUMBER
SCALE/LEAF
SE
Water 0.82 a 0.29
1% PSO 0.20 b 0.101% PSO 0.20 b 0.10
1.8% PSO 0.05 b 0.02
INSECT GROWTH REGULATORS (IGRs) (Juvenile hormone
mimics) Work best at egg hatch‒young nymphs, but also pupae‒adult, so timing critical.
Not systemic
Admiral® (pyriproxyfen)
(REGISTERED against (REGISTERED against
black scale in olives)
Admiral ideally should be
applied at the time of crawler
release for best effect but can
be applied to later scale be applied to later scale
instars. The key points of
activity are prevention of
pupation to adult scale,
sterilization of adult females
and prevention of egg hatch.
OLIVE LACE BUG Froggattia olivinia (Tingidae) LIFE CYCLE
Major pest in Qld, NSW, WA, native species
Eggs laid in leaf tissue, undersides of leaves
1st instars hatching 1st instars after hatching
5 nymphal instars
Total Development Time of OLB Nymphs on Four
Olive Varieties and the Native Host
OLB NYMPHAL DEVELOPMENT AT 27°C
OLB develops at different rates on different olive varieties
Olive Varieties and the Native Host
14
15
16
17
18
Tim
e (days)
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12
13
14
Barnea Hardy's
Mammoth
Picual Correggiola Notelaea
Host
Tim
e (days)
OIL 0.75% OIL 1.0%
Mortality (%)
post 1st
Mortality (%)
post 2nd
Mortality (%)
post 1st
Mortality (%)
post 2nd
OLIVE LACE BUG MORTALITY FOLLOWING 2 APPLICATIONS
OF EMULSIFIED BOTANICAL OIL 14 DAYS APART
post 1st
application
post 2nd
application
post 1st
application
post 2nd
application
1-2nd instars 1-2nd instars
75.7 85.4 83.9 92.2
4-5th instars 4-5th instars4-5th instars 4-5th instars
‐ 10.2 ‐ 14.8
Adults Adults
0 0 0 0
Similar timing for Natrasoap®, but results variable and difficult to apply
ANTHRACNOSE (Colletotrichum acutatum, C.
gloeosporoides)
Latent infection
Primary infections from
overwintering sclerotia
(flowers, young fruit, leaves)
Secondary infections (from
lesions to other ripening
fruit)fruit)
Weather conducive to
anthracnose (warm, humid,
leaf wetness) promotes
primary, secondary spread
MONITOR EVERY GROVE OR BLOCK IN LARGE
GROVES AT LEAST MONTHLY DURING THE
GROWING SEASON
Monitor priority blocks (those with high fruit load or with history of Monitor priority blocks (those with high fruit load or with history of
pest and disease problems) more frequently
Know what conditions or timing are
associated with pests and diseases in your
grove, to commence monitoring for them
In larger groves, driving slowly down rows In larger groves, driving slowly down rows
enables detection of high populations of
pests and diseases or their damage
In addition, assessing and inspecting individual trees within
monitored rows using 10X hand lens, and life stages is critical
EARLY DETECTION MEANS:
BETTER PLANNING OF BETTER PLANNING OF
INTERVENTIONS (i.e. not putting out
bush fires, so greater range of options)
EARLY DETECTION MEANS:
BETTER PLANNING OF INTERVENTIONS BETTER PLANNING OF INTERVENTIONS
(i.e. not putting out bush fires, so
greater range of options)
TARGETED RESPONSES (e.g. spot TARGETED RESPONSES (e.g. spot
spraying)
EARLY DETECTION MEANS:
BETTER PLANNING OF INTERVENTIONS BETTER PLANNING OF INTERVENTIONS
(i.e. not putting out bush fires, so
greater range of options)
TARGETED RESPONSES (e.g. spot TARGETED RESPONSES (e.g. spot
spraying)
REDUCED COSTS
PhD PROJECT Phuong Sa Nguyen (SUPERVISORS: PAUL
HOLFORD, ANDREW BEATTIE, ROBERT SPOONER-HART)
IMPACTS OF PLANT NITROGEN NUTRITION ON BLACK SCALE AND ITS
PARASITOIDS, PARTICULARLY Scutellista caerulea, IN AUSTRALIAN
OLIVE AND CITRUS CROPS
AIMS
• Determine the identity of species of black scale present in Australian olives and
citrus, using morphological and molecular techniques
• Confirm the identities of all parasitoids associated with black scale, Saissetia
oleae, in Australia (63 parasitoids reported world‐wide)oleae, in Australia (63 parasitoids reported world‐wide)
• Assess impacts of foliar nitrogen on the size and fecundity of Saissetia oleae
females, development, and parasitism/predation by its primary parasitoids
THE OLIVE INDUSTRY COULD ASSIST BY PROVIDING SAMPLES OF BLACK SCALE (AND
PARASITOIDS), AND POSSIBLY SITES FOR NUTRITION FIELD TRIALS CLOSE TO SYDNEY