Situation of Iris yellow spot virus in France
In France, Iris yellow spot virus (Tospovirus, IYSV – EPPO Alert List) was first identified on onion crops in 2003 on the island of Réunion (see EPPO RS 2005/041). On the French mainland, surveys were carried out in 2006 and 2007 essentially on Allium crops (see also RS 2006/141). In total, 135 plots were inspected and 185 samples were collected and tested in the laboratory. IYSV was detected in 58 samples [3 from A. schoenoprasum (chives), 14 from Allium sativum (garlic), 17 from A. cepa (onion) and 24 from A. porrum (leek)]. More than 70% of the positive samples were showing feeding damage caused by Thrips tabaci but IYSV symptoms (e.g. diamond-shaped lesions) were not consistently observed on IYSV-infected samples. Apart from the presence of Thrips tabaci which can cause direct damage, no economic losses could be attributed to the occurrence of IYSV in the infected crops.
The pest status of Iris yellow spot virus in France is officially declared as: Present.
Sources
NPPO of France, 2008-01.