New data on quarantine pests
By browsing through the literature, the EPPO Secretariat has extracted the following new data concerning quarantine pests.
New geographical records
Liriomyza trifolii (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) occurs in Sudan where it damages faba bean (Vicia faba) in particular. This pest was reported for the first time in the mid-1980s when production of faba bean was extended to the south of Khartoum (traditionally it was grown in the northern part of Sudan). Review of Agricultural Entomology, 86(4), p 450 (3601).
Pear decline phytoplasma (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) is suspected in Taiwan. Symptoms of a new pear disease characterized by red leaves was discovered in Central Taiwan. Affected trees usually die within 2-3 years. The disease is associated with phytoplasmas and is thought to be pear decline. Psylla qianli is suspected to be a vector. If confirmed, this would be the first report of pear decline phytoplasma in Taiwan. Review of Plant Pathology, 77(4), p 440 (3247).
Detailed records
During a survey in Bangladesh, Aphelenchoides besseyi (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was found in 25.3 % of the collected samples of rice seeds. Samples were collected from 15 districts in Bangladesh, the highest nematode infestation was found in a sample from Rangpur (45 nematodes from 100 seeds); the nematode was not found in 5 districts. This confirms earlier reports of A. besseyi in Bangladesh. Nematological Abstracts, 67(1), p 34 (274).
Dendroctonus brevicomis (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) is present on Pinus ponderosa in the Davis mountains of west Texas (US). Review of Agricultural Entomology, 86(4), p 486 (3890-3891).
New host plants
In Assam, India, it was shown that the weed Ageratum conyzoides could be an important host of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) and may serve as a significant source of primary inoculum in citrus orchards for the next season. Review of Plant Pathology, 77(4), p 477 (3507
Sources
EPPO Secretariat, 1998-02.