20th Session of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC)
The 20th Session of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand on 1997-09-26/29. During this Session, member countries of the APPPC were asked to present their national phytosanitary situations, including new outbreaks. The EPPO Secretariat has selected some new or detailed records concerning quarantine pests.
Australia
The following pests have been eradicated in 1996 from Western Australia: Cydia pomonella, Bactrocera tryoni (EPPO A1 quarantine pest – the outbreak was detected in 1995), and Ceratitis capitata (EPPO A2 quarantine pest – the outbreak was detected in September 1995).
Bactrocera cucurbitae (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) was found on Torres Strait islands (Dauan in March 1997, Stephen, Boigu and Sue in January 1997), an eradication programme has immediately been applied.
Citrus canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri - EPPO A1 quarantine pest) had been reported in Northern Territory on a few citrus trees in 1993. An eradication programme was immediately applied, and the disease is no longer found. It is now considered that X. axonopodis pv. citri has been successfully eradicated form Northern Territory. Surveys will continue.
Frankliniella occidentalis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was first detected in Western Australia in 1993 and is now a significant pest in some areas of Australia. In South Australia*1, it has a limited distribution, as it has only been found in 3 commercial cut flower properties. It was detected for the first time in Victoria* in July 1996. However, it is still absent from Tasmania. With the introduction of F. occidentalis, an upsurge of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) is observed.
Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) is present in Australia, possibly in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Surveys are continuing on this disease.
Uromyces transversalis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was first detected in a commercial plantation of gladioli, in Victoria in April 1996. It was later found in Metropolitan Melbourne, in South Australia and Queensland.
China
The vegetable leaf miner, Liriomyza sativae (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) has been introduced into China and causes damage.
Hong Kong (China)
Cochliobolus carbonum (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) is reported on sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa).
Indonesia
Severe damage caused by leaf miners (Liriomyza sp.) on potatoes are reported in North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java and East Java. Details were not given on the species involved.
Macau
Anoplophora chinensis (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) is recorded as present in Macau. Bactrocera dorsalis (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) was found in August to September 1996 in a nursery of Citrus macrocarpa. All infected fruits were destroyed immediately.
New Zealand
Incursion of Ceratitis capitata (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) into the Auckland area had been reported previously (EPPO RS 96/115). This pest is no longer found and is now considered by the authorities as eradicated. The same applies to Bactrocera papayae and B. tryoni (both EPPO A1 quarantine pests) which were also found in 1996 (EPPO RS 96/116). Since then, as no further findings have been made, these pests are considered as not established.
Sri Lanka
The first outbreak of Liriomyza huidobrensis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was observed in January 1997, in elevated regions (above 1500 m) where most temperate crops are grown. Potato, leek, carrot and beet crops were severely affected. A new fruit fly attacking mangoes has been observed but has not yet been identified.
* New detailed record.
Sources
EPPO Secretariat, 1997-09