Thrips palmi discovered in the EC (NL)
Thrips palmi (EPPO A1 pest) has been discovered in the EC (Netherlands) at three nurseries. The pest was introduced by one nursery which obviously imported infested Ficus benjamina from Guatemala. Two other nurseries received plant material plus pest from the importing company.
All three infestations have been placed under official control by the Plantenziektenkundige Dienst of the Netherlands and the infestations will be eradicated by combining crop destruction, soil disinfection, cleansing and disinfection of greenhouses and destruction of aids and appliances. No material is allowed to depart from these companies. A wide survey of companies importing material from Guatemala and other high-risk areas has led to the result that no other nurseries were infected by T. palmi. The Plant Protection Service of the Netherlands is convinced that the given approach will lead to the eradication of the pest in The Netherlands.
Sources
Plant Protection Service of The Netherlands (1993-01).