White leaf disease (WLD) was first
recognized in Thailand in the 1950s.
The disease has caused serious yield
losses in Thailand and has some
similarities to grassy shoot (GSD)
and green grassy shoot diseases
(GGSD). All three are caused by
phytoplasm and are common in
south east Asia. WLD recently
caused a major disease epidemic in
Laos in a sugar factory in the south
central Savannakhet Province and
has recently been found in China.
If WLD was introduced to Australia,
it could cause major yield losses to
the sugar industry. Issues such as
resistant varieties and alternative
hosts require further research.
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2016) Sartor, J
Although soldier fly are not a major pest, they can cause significant yield losses for the farmers who have them, especially in the Mackay, Bundaberg, Maryborough and Childers regions.
