Developing and updating diagnostic protocols

Abstract

This project: 1) Developed / updated diagnostic protocols for seven high-priority exotic viticultural pests - Insects: Cixiidae planthopper, Vine mealybug, Grape mealybug, Spotted winged drosophila; Pathogens: Xylella fastidiosa, Flavesecence dorée phytoplasma and Candidatus phytoplasma solani. 2) Conducted a training workshop outlining the key diagnostic characters for each exotic pest. These viticultural pests are associated with significant production losses overseas. The establishment of these pests in Australia would hinder produce export and grape movement. The best chance of control of these key pests is rapid identification, allowing a rapid response to contain and/or eradicate them if they were detected in Australia.

Summary

The main objective of this project was to develop diagnostic identification resources (protocols) for seven high-priority exotic plant pests (insects & athogens), for endorsement by the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics (SPHD) as National Diagnostic Protocols. A range of high-priority plant pests were identified in the GWRDC Strategic RD&E Plan 2013-17, with no nationally endorsed protocols for most of these species. All of the pests are associated with significant loss in viticultural production overseas. The best chance of control of these key pests is rapid identification, allowing eradication efforts a reasonable chance of being successful. If any of these exotic pests did became established in Australia it would affect both local grape production and market access through reducing export opportunities. The establishment of these pests within specific wine growing regions would severely hamper movement of grape material within Australia and require quarantine measures to be applied. This project re-examined, updated and collated available information on seven target pests from which draft diagnostic identification protocols were developed (or revised). New protocols were developed for: 1) Cixiidae planthopper, 2) Vine mealybug, 3) Grape mealybug, 4) Spotted winged drosophila and 5) Bois noir phytoplasma. Existing protocols were revised and further developed for: 6) Xylella fastidiosa and 7) Flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp). Identification resources developed in this project included determining the diagnostic morphological characteristics of each exotic pest and comparing these with existing species in Australia. The protocols also established and documented which molecular identification protocols are suitable for use on each pest. The draft diagnostic protocols contain information on pest hosts, taxonomy, detection, and identification using both morphological and molecular characteristics, including comparisons with species in Australia with which the exotic pests could be confused in the field. The one-day workshop conducted at the end of the project trained relevant diagnosticians, researchers and viticulture industry personnel from across Australia and New Zealand in the key identification features of each pest , including identification in the field. The two main outputs of this project were: 1) Seven fully illustrated draft diagnostic identification protocols for the nominated priority exotic pests for use in Australia; and 2) A training workshop for relevant stakeholders in field and laboratory identification. The project has significantly improved Australia’s diagnostic capabilities that should reduce the establishment risk of these pests in Australia, by allowing for a rapid response to contain and/or eradicate them should an incursion occur.