Media release: First Australian detections of pest and disease reinforce importance of nursery biosecurity
16 September 2026
September 2026
The first known Australian detections of two exotic pests and diseases in Queensland are reinforcing the critical role of Australia’s nursery and plant industries in detecting and responding to biosecurity threats.
Flower thrips (Frankliniella intonsa) has been detected at multiple commercial berry farms in the Caboolture area, while squash vein yellowing virus (Ipomovirus cucurbitavenaflavi) has been detected in watermelon and bitter melon samples in the Bundaberg region. Neither had previously been reported in Australia.
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