Trioza erytreae occurs in mainland Portugal
The NPPO of Portugal recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the occurrence of Trioza erytreae (Hemiptera: Triozidae – EPPO A2 List, vector of huanglongbing) on the mainland. It can be recalled that until this new record, T. erytreae was found only on the island of Madeira (RS 1995/007, RS 2011/139). On mainland Portugal, T. erytreae was first found in the region of Porto in January 2015. Later surveys detected the pest in other areas along the northern coast (counties of Caminha, Esposende, Gondomar, Matosinhos, Maia, Porto, Vianno do Castelo, Vila Nova de Gaia). T. erytreae has been detected in urban areas on citrus trees (Citrus limon, C. sinensis, and C. reticulata). The pest has also been found on a Choisya ternata (Rutaceae) shrub growing in a private garden (county of Porto) and showing typical symptoms on young shoots with a low incidence.
Phytosanitary measures are being taken to eradicate the pest. In private gardens, isolated trees and orchards located in the infested areas, measures include: compulsory insecticide treatments, severe pruning of symptomatic shoots and destruction of pruned material, random sampling for the possible presence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter spp.’, prohibition to move citrus plants and plant parts (except fruits). In private gardens, isolated trees and orchards located in buffer zones, active surveillance (use of yellow sticky traps) is being carried out, and movements of citrus plants and plant parts are also prohibited. In nurseries, garden centres, markets or any commercial establishments located within the demarcated areas, measures include the destruction of citrus plants and the prohibition to produce and commercialize citrus plants.
The pest status of Trioza erytreae in Portugal is officially declared as: Present, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Portugal (2015-11).
INTERNET
Governo de Portugal. Ficha Técnica. Psila Africana dos citrinos. Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio). http://www.drapc.min-agricultura.pt/base/documentos/ficha_tecnica_trioza.pdf