Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) presents a major biosecurity threat to the Australian industry. The exotic Cotton blue disease (CBD) is also of concern.

Cotton leaf roll dwarf virus (the causal agent of Cotton blue disease) or a virus closely related to this species was detected in an asymptomatic Sea Island cotton plant (Gossypium barbadense) in Laivai, Timor Leste.<

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is caused by a complex of different begomoviruses and DNA-β satellite molecules. Both the viruses and the satellites are transmitted by the Silverleaf whitefly (SLW).

Cotton blue disease (CBD) is not present in Australia. However, the vector of CBD, the cotton aphid, is common in all Australian cotton regions.

CBT is the most serious viral disease of cotton in Australia and is transmit-ted by cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii).