A new National Diagnostic Protocol (#NDP54) for meadow spittlebug was endorsed in May 2025 by the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics (SPHD). This exotic insect poses a significant biosecurity threat as a vector of the bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, which is listed in the top 10 on the National Priority Plant Pest (NPPP) list.

The protocol will support the detection of this pest, which is critical to minimising the threat of Xylella entering and establishing in Australia. It provides an easy-to-use guide to help distinguish Australian spittlebugs from exotic ones, including details on the morphological identification of male genitalia of the meadow spittlebug to separate this species from others. The protocol also provides additional information on molecular methods that can aid in pest diagnostics and offers guidance on field sampling strategies.

This NDP has been developed and authored by Melinda Moir from the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA DPIRD), with funding support provided by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Peer review and verification were conducted by Birgit Loecker and Roslyn Mirrington from New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD).

The progression and endorsement of this NDP was made possible with support from the Diagnostic Protocols Working Group (DPWG) and SPHD. Plant Health Australia (PHA) coordinated the progression of the NDP along the NDP workflow, with funding support provided by DAFF under the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostics Professional Development and Protocols Project.

For more information on NDPs, including NDP development, review, and verification processes, please contact NDPCoordinator@aff.gov.au.