Spread of Cacyreus marshalli to the Spanish mainland
Cacyreus marshalli (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) which used to be present on the Balearic Islands only has successfully spread to the Spanish mainland. The pest of Pelargonium, which had been added to the EPPO A2 list in 1993-09, can now be found in the provinces of Alicante, Castellon, Valencia, Murcia and Logrono.
Experiments on the control of this pest showed that several compounds such as Bacillus thuringiensis, diflubenzuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lambda-cyhalothrin, alpha-cypermethrin and benfuracarb are effective against C. marshalli. Infestations in commercial crops were satisfactorily controlled, limiting distribution to garden and house plants. The Plant Protection Service of Spain assures EPPO that the incidence of the pest can be effectively controlled and that the phytosanitary status of nursery material of pelargoniums from infested areas is good.
Sources
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Madrid (1993-12)