About the pest
- found in over 30 countries in Asia, some Pacific and Indian Ocean islands, South America and USA (Florida)
- infects all young, actively growing leaves, twigs, stems, trunks, thorns and fruit of susceptible hosts
- lesions first appear as pin-point spots that become small, slightly raised pustules or blister-like eruptions
- lesions can be surrounded by a yellow halo and occur initially on the lower leaf surface
- symptoms exacerbated by leaf miner injury
- the bacteria can be spread by wind blown rain, insects, workers and equipment, or via infected plant material
- has been eradicated from Australia on several occasions