Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infects hundreds of host plants including vegetables, ornamental, grain and weed species. It is also known to infect certain specialty plants causing problems for collectors, e.g. Adeniums. It is spread by aphids feeding on infected plants followed by healthy plants. It takes less than one minute for aphids to acquire the virus and they can immediately spread it to all healthy plants for several hours. It is also spread by propagation material and may also when handling and trimming infected plants followed by healthy plants. More

American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, has been found infesting plant hosts in Kununurra, Western Australia in March 2021, and more recently on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, Queensland in May 2021.

As a National Priority Plant Pest, the American serpentine leafminer poses a serious threat to Australia’s horticulture, nursery production, and agricultural plant industries. Severe infestations of American serpentine leafminer may result in premature leaf drop, poor growth, and reduced crop yields.    More

Powdery mildew causes disease on a large number of common nursery stock lines including many vegetable and ornamental species, e.g. tomato, cucurbit crops, rose, begonia, gerbera, zinnia, poinsettia, and many others.

Young new growth or soft, lush foliage tends to be most susceptible. Small white powdery spots occur on most host tissues including upper and lower leaves, stems and fruit. More