First report of Anthonomus eugenii in the Netherlands
In July 2012, Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO A1 List) was found for the first time in the Netherlands. This is also the first time that an outbreak of A. eugenii is detected in the EPPO region. The pest was found in 4 glasshouses producing Capsicum annuum fruit and located in Westland (province of Zuid-Holland). On 2012-07-19, a grower reported to the Dutch NPPO unusual damage in one glasshouse of C. annuum. The identity of A. eugenii could be confirmed on the following day by using morphological and molecular identification tools. During specific surveys, signs of the pest were also observed in 3 nearby glasshouses producing C. annuum fruit. Damage was observed in 3 of the 4 infested glasshouses and consisted of small and prematurely aborted fruit. In 1 glasshouse, a single larva and several weevils were found but without significant damage to the crop. As all infested glasshouses are located close to each other, these findings are considered as one single outbreak originating from the same unknown source. For the moment, it is suspected that A. eugenii was introduced with imports of Capsicum fruit from a country where the pest occurs but investigations are currently being carried out to identify the possible source of this infestation. Phytosanitary measures have been taken to eradicate A. eugenii and include: pesticide applications, destruction and secure removal of affected crops and associated growing medium. Specific surveillance activities were carried out within a radius of 1 km around the infested glasshouses, as well as in C. annuum production units across the Netherlands. No further detections of the pest were made.
The pest status of Anthonomus eugenii in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Transient – Isolated outbreak, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2012-08).