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
Field experiments were carried out in Peru to evaluate the effectiveness of several fungicides against Puccinia horiana (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). The EPPO Secretariat had previously no data on the occurrence of P. horiana in Peru. Review of Plant Pathology, 77(6), p 700 (5163).
Colletotrichum acutatum (EU Annex II/A2) is reported for the first time on strawberry in Venezuela. Review of Plant Pathology, 77(5), p 560 (4118).
Detailed records
In China, apple rust ring (?apple russet ring) and apple mosaic ilarvirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest on Rubus) were the most common viruses found in the apple-producing areas, and apple green crinkle virus was reported in Liaoning, Gansu, Henan and Shaanxi. On pear, the most important diseases were vein yellow (?apple stem pitting) and ring mosaic (?apple chlorotic leaf spot trichovirus). Review of Plant Pathology, 77(5), p 508 (3743).
A survey on citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV - EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was carried out in French Polynesia in 1995 and 1996. Results showed that CTV is present in Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Maupiti. The vector Toxoptera citricida (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) was present on these islands (except in Bora Bora). The islands of the Marquises, Australes, Tuamotu archipelagos were found free from CTV. Review of Plant Pathology, 77(5), p 565-566 (4163).
In China in 1996, Helicoverpa armigera (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) continued to be the most serious pest of cotton and other crops. It occurred at medium levels in most areas in North China (Yellow River valley) and in much smaller populations than in 1992 and 1993. However, population levels were very high in Xinjiang (north west cotton region) and Jiangsu (Yangtze river valley). Review of Agricultural Entomology, 86(6), p 735-736 (5803).
Tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) occurs on tomato in Assam, India. Review of Plant Pathology, 77(6), p 670 (4927).
New vector
The castor bean whitefly Trialeurodes ricini has recently been introduced into Egypt and is now a widespread pest. Studies were carried out on its ability to transmit tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). It was found by using PCR that the virus could be detected in Trialeurodes ricini. Transmission studies showed that 50 % of adults collected from castor bean acquired the virus after 10 h exposure to infected tomato plants. The rate of transmission increased as the inoculation access period was lengthened, and reached a maximum after 4 h. Review of Plant Pathology, 77(5), p 573 (4222).
Sources
EPPO Secretariat, 1998-06.