NGI Updates

Myrtle rust is a fungal disease that threatens the nursery and garden, forestry and tea tree oil production industries, as well as natural ecosystems. It has the potential to infect almost all plants in the Myrtaceae family, such as gum trees (Eucalyptus), lilly pilly (Syzygium, Acmena, Waterhousea), tea tree and bottle brush (Callistemon, Melaleuca), and guava (Psidium). It is caused by the species Austropuccinia psidii (formerly Puccinia psidii, initially identified as Uredo rangelii).  More

Fusarium species provide a major challenge to successful nursery production, particularly the special host adapted forms of Fusarium oxysporum which cause vascular wilts.

These are very strong pathogens capable of causing devastating losses. More

Caterpillars are the larvae of moths and butterflies and are often easily recognised by their long fleshy body and paired prolegs down their abdomen. They are common problems that are sometimes difficult to manage because they hide under leaves, within rolled leaves, inside stems or leaf mines.

Caterpillars damage plants by physically removing plant material and may cause plants to be unsightly with changes to the structure of the plant (e.g. tip borers) and frass and silk deposited. More

Pest    

Phyllosticta cavendishii (Banana freckle)

Date

24 June 2022

Location

Batchelor – Rum Jungle. Northern Territory (NT)

Situation

In late May 2022, scientific diagnosis confirmed Phyllosticta cavendishii (banana freckle) at a property in Rum Jungle, approximately 100 kilometres south of Darwin (see map). A further two properties, also in the Rum Jungle/Batchelor region, were confirmed as positive in early June. On 15 June, the NT Government received positive results for an additional four properties. More