Outbreak of Scirtothrips dorsalis in one glasshouse in the United Kingdom
In May 2008, the presence of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A2 List) was detected in three glasshouses of a botanical garden in the South of England. Phytosanitary measures were taken to eliminate the pest. In February 2012, the pest was still found in one glasshouse but had successfully been eradicated from the other two glasshouses. A ban on the movement of plants is still in place in the first glasshouse concerned to prevent any further spread, and at present S. dorsalis is not known to have spread to any new locations. Following a programme of treatments, there was a period of 3 months in spring/summer 2011 during which the pest was not detected, but S. dorsalis was detected again in mid-summer. An eradication campaign of treatments is continuing.
The situation of Scirtothrips dorsalis in the United Kingdom can be described as follows: Transient, first found in 2008, now only in one glasshouse of a botanical garden, under eradication.
Sources
IPPC website. Official Pest Reports – United Kingdom. Scirtothrips dorsalis (2009-01-28). https://www.ippc.int/index.php
Personal communication with Dr Eyre (Fera, 2012-03).