NGI Updates

Name: Brown mulberry longhorn beetle, Apriona germari

Brown mulberry longhorn beetle is not present in Australia but is widespread in the Asian region. It only feeds on living trees (but these may be healthy or stressed) and its potential effect on Australian native plants is not known.

The beetle is most likely to arrive in imported timber and wood used for pallets, or other packing materials from Asia. Look out for larval tunnels in the wood up to 15 mm wide, sawdust-like frass falling from damaged timber, and oval-shaped exit holes. Diligence is particularly essential with imported material from India and China where it has been reported as a major pest of mulberry and poplar plantations.

In Australia, many woody species within the Moraceae, Salicaceae and Ulmaceae families may be affected, including elm, fig, mulberry, poplar, pear, citrus, rosewood, hawthorn, lagerstroemia, mulberry, walnut, and willow, as well as other tree species. More

Name: Bean spider mite Tetranychus ludeni

Similar to: Two-spotted mite

Description

Egg: Minute, globular, almost transparent, can have reddish tinge.

Immatures: Similar to two-spotted mite.

Adult: Approximately 0.5 mm long with 8 legs, uniformly dark red, distinguishing it from two-spotted mite which is yellowish-green with two dark spots. In cooler climates the red overwintering phase of two-spotted mite is a lighter red than that of bean spider mite.

Damage: Feeds on underside of leaf and sometimes on upper surface. Leaves become mottled and bleached. Severe infestations can cause premature leaf fall. Damaging populations develop quickly in warm, dry conditions.

For further information please refer to the industry Pest ID Tool – http://pestid.com.au/

An initiative of the Nursery Levy funded National Nursery Industry Biosecurity Program (NY15004) and ‘Building the resilience and on-farm biosecurity capacity of the Australian production nursery industry’ Project (NY15002).

A review of the nationally recognised Tree Stock standard is now complete. Assessed by Standards Australia, an updated edition of AS 2303:2018 ‘Tree stock for landscape use’ is now available for public purchase.  

Through industry consultation and the strategic investment of nursery levy funds, ‘Evaluation of nursery tree stock parameters’ (NY15001) project was able to yield a productive and tangible outcome for industry.

The standard enables the assessment of above and below ground characteristics of tree stock, to be supplied for landscape use. While not mandatory, this standard is widely used by suppliers and purchasers of containerised trees across Australia to increase the likelihood of successful plantings. More

The nursery industry’s communication program ensures growers and key value chain members are kept up to date with the latest news and information on R&D and marketing outcomes.

From advances in biosecurity legislation through BioSecure HACCP to an award winning Plant Life Balance app, industry’s levy investment portfolio has ensured a strong return on investment for its levy payers in 2018.

On the frontline of delivering this information is the nursery communications team. In collaboration with industry, the team has developed a library of resources for growers and the supply chain based on the latest R&D and marketing insights.

Grower case studies, videos, newsletters, social media and Nursery Papers are just some of the activities that fall under the communications program. You may have received these in your inbox, via social media or in a Hort Journal every month.

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