Aleurothrixus floccosus found for the first time in Cyprus
The Plant Protection Service of Cyprus has recently informed the EPPO Secretariat that Aleurothrixus floccosus has been found for the first time in January 1997 on Cyprus. It was observed on citrus in the city of Limassol. A survey was conducted in all citrus areas of Cyprus, but the insect was found to be restricted to Limassol. A chemical control programme has immediately been applied, and it is planned to rear and release the parasitoid Cales noacki to control the pest.
In the Mediterranean region, Onillon (1990) recalled that Aleurothrixus floccosus was introduced into the Canary Islands in 1959, then in Spain and in France (1969), before invading mainland Italy in 1970, Morocco in 1972, Sicily in 1980 and Algeria in 1982. It is also present in Portugal (since 1977; Magalhaes, 1980), Israel (since 1991; Argov, 1994), Tunisia (apparently, recently introduced; Chermiti et al. 1993). Even in United Kingdom (Malumphy, 1995), several outbreaks on ornamental Citrus spp. grown in glasshouses have been reported.
Sources
Plant Protection Service of Cyprus, 1997-04.
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