Avocado Spotting Bug

Following the December 2021 Integrated Pest Management workshop with Dr Anthony Rice, Agriculture Victoria have now confirmed the avocado spotting bug (Amblypelta bilineata Stål), is present on Norfolk Island.

Two samples were confirmed as positive by specialist Dr Mallik Malipatil from Agriculture Victoria as part of the current Norfolk Island Plant Pest and Disease Survey. This includes a sample given to Dr Anthony Rice in December 2021, as well as a sample collected in 1984 from the Norfolk Island Botanic Gardens. This means the avocado spotting bug has been present on the island for at least 38 years.

This pest affects fruit crops, in particular avocado, macadamia and mango trees. There is currently little published data on this particular species of spotting bug and how best to manage it. The Australian Government and Norfolk Island Regional Council have therefore asked Dr Anthony Rice to produce a fact sheet on techniques which may reduce the impact of the pest on Norfolk Island, in line with Integrated Pest Management practices. The Department sought community input on the fact sheet. It will be finalised and released soon, along with four other factsheets on the management of key pests and diseases.

If you have any questions on the avocado spotting bug, please contact NIBiosecurity@infrastructure.gov.au or ask the Agriculture Victoria team who will be on island next week. They will be at the Agricultural Show on Monday and are happy to answer questions you have.

The Norfolk Island Plant Pest and Disease Survey is funded by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts with support from The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

7 October 2022