serpentine leafminer alert
The exotic insect pest serpentine leafminer , also known as pea leafminer or South American leafminer, was recently found in a commercial vegetable crop in western Sydney.
Serpentine leafminer poses a serious economic threat to Australia’s horticulture and nursery production plant industries. It has a wide host range of plant species which includes flowers, cut flowers, ornamentals, nursery stock and seedlings.
Its larvae feed internally on plant tissue, particularly the leaf, causing distinctive long, narrow, squiggly or serpentine-shaped 'mines' which appear as white or grey lines on leaves.
The pest has also been detected in Queensland with links to NSW. NSW has established a Control Order to help prevent movement of the pest in host commodities.
Serpentine leafminer is notifiable and must be reported immediately to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. For more information about serpentine leafminer including downloadable resources, visit the NSW Dept of Primary Industries website
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