New data on quarantine pests and pests of the EPPO Alert List
By searching through the literature and collecting official pest reports, the EPPO Secretariat has extracted the following new data concerning quarantine pests and pests included (or formerly included) on the EPPO Alert List and indicated in bold the situation of the pest concerned using the terms of ISPM no. 8.
- New records
Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (Robigovirus, CNRMV – formerly EPPO A2 List) was found for the first time in Spain in October 2017. During a research project on emerging diseases of stone fruit trees, CNRMV was detected in cherry (Prunus avium) orchards in the municipality of Planes (province of Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana) (NPPO of Spain, 2017). Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
In New Zealand, Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae – formerly EPPO Alert List) was first observed on 5-year-old eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in the Northern part of Canterbury region (South Island) in early winter 2017. As the psyllid population seemed to be well established, eradication was not considered possible (Anonymous, 2017). Present, only in some areas (Canterbury region).
Meloidogyne enterolobii (EPPO A2 List) has been reported for the first time from India. The nematode was detected in guava (Psidium guajava) orchards showing sudden decline in Tamil Nadu (Poornima et al., 2016). Present, only in some areas (Tamil Nadu).
During a survey conducted in October 2016, Singhiella simplex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae – EPPO Alert List) was found on Ficus microcarpa in Antalya province, Turkey. This is the first time that the ficus whitefly is reported from Turkey (Yükselbaba et al., 2017). Present, only in some areas (Antalya province).
- Detailed records
In Portugal, two outbreaks of Citrus tristeza virus (Closterovirus, CTV – EPPO A2 List) were reported in 2017. During official surveys, CTV was detected in June 2017 in 7 citrus trees (Citrus sinensis and C. reticulata) growing in a private garden in the municipality of São Pedro de Merelim (Norte region). In October 2017, CTV was also detected in an urban area in the municipality of Sepins (Centro region) on asymptomatic citrus trees planted as ornamentals along a road. In both cases, eradication measures were taken (NPPO of Portugal, 2017). Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
In Spain, Epitrix cucumeris (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae - EPPO A2 List) was first found in 2017 on Solanum nigrum plants growing in the borders of a potato (Solanum tuberosum) field in the municipality of Jerez de la Frontera (province of Cádiz, Andalucía) (EPPO RS 2017/163). In November 2017, more adult specimens were collected (sweep net) in the municipality of Medina-Sidonia (province of Cádiz, Andalucía) in a field where potatoes had been grown and harvested in June 2017. Eradication continues (NPPO of Spain, 2017). Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
In Portugal, Epitrix cucumeris and Epitrix papa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae – both EPPO A2 List) were found in 2017 in 3 potato fields located in the municipality of Santa Susana (county of Alcácer do Sal, Alentejo region) (EPPO RS 2017/165). In August 2017, another outbreak (a few beetles of both species) was detected in 1 potato field in the municipality of Ferreirim (Lemago county, Norte region). Official phytosanitary measures are being taken (NPPO of Portugal, 2017). Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
In Spain, Epitrix papa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae - EPPO A2 List) was first found in 2009 in Galicia (at that time identified as E. similaris). In 2017, official surveys on Epitrix species were conducted and several new outbreaks of E. papa were detected (see also EPPO RS 2017/164) in several localities of Andalucía, in the provinces of Cádiz (Arcos de la Frontera, Jerez de la Frontera, Villanueva del Río y Minas) and Sevilla (Alcalá de Guadaíra, Arahal, Aznalcázar, Carmona, Écija, El Viso del Alcor, Guillena, La Puebla de los Infantes, La Puebla del Río, Mairena del Alcor, Olivares). Official phytosanitary measures are being taken in all demarcated areas. The measures previously applied in the demarcated area of Coria del Rio have been lifted as no Epitrix spp. have been found during the last 2 years (NPPO of Spain, 2017 & 2018). Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication
During an official survey conducted in Portugal, a new outbreak of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ (pear decline - EPPO A2 List) was detected in a pear orchard (Pyrus communis cv. Rocha) located in the parish of Jorumenha (Alentejo region). Phytosanitary measures will be taken to eradicate the disease. These measures will include: destruction of infected trees, intensive surveys on host plants and vectors, treatments against vectors (NPPO of Portugal, 2017). Present, under eradication.
During summer 2016, one specimen of Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) was caught in a trap placed in the port of Kalmar (a ‘timber-port’ in the county of Småland), Southeastern Sweden. X. germanus had previously been found once in Sweden. In 1996, a single specimen had been caught in Småland, in an industrial area where a major wooden floor manufacturer was situated. These isolated findings are not sufficient to consider that X. germanus is established in Sweden (NPPO of Sweden, 2017).
- Eradication
In Sweden, 1 specimen of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae - EPPO A2 List) was found in 2017-08-10 by a private individual. The insect was trapped and killed on the North pier of the old harbour of Skanör (Scania county, Southern Sweden). In 2017-08-15, a phytosanitary inspector went to the area to search for more specimens of L. decemlineata but found none, neither in the near vicinity of the finding nor in the closest potato fields (NPPO of Sweden, 2017). Absent, pest eradicated.
In the United Kingdom, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (EPPO A2 List) occurred from 2003 to 2007. After several years of absence, a small number of specimens were caught in a maize field in 2013 (EPO RS 2013/240). As subsequent surveys did not detect the pest, the NPPO considers that D. virgifera virgifera has been eradicated (NPPO of the United Kingdom, 2017). Absent, pest eradicated.
In the United Kingdom, Eotetranychus lewisi (Acari: Tetranychidae – EU Annexes) was first found in August 2014 in Northwestern England on poinsettias grown in a nursery (EPPO RS 2014/187). A treatment programme was undertaken to eradicate the mite. As since the end of November 2014 no other mites were found, the NPPO considers that this outbreak has been eradicated (NPPO of the United Kingdom, 2017). Absent, pest eradicated.
In the United Kingdom, Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (EPPO A2 List) was detected for the first time in October 2013, and again in August/September 2014 on young plants of Prunus laurocesus in 3 nurseries (EPPO RS 2014/193). Phytosanitary measures were taken to eradicate the bacterium. In October 2017, the NPPO of the United Kingdom officially declared the eradication of X. arboricola pv. pruni from its territory (NPPO of the United Kingdom, 2017). Absent, pest eradicated.
Sources
Anonymous (2017) New eucalypt feeding insect established in New Zealand. Forest Health News no. 277, 2 pp. https://www.scionresearch.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/62845/FHNews-November2017.pdf
NPPO of Portugal (2017-08, 2017-09, 2017-11, 2017-12).
NPPO of Spain (2017-10, 2017-12, 2018-02).
NPPO of Sweden (2017-08).
NPPO of the United Kingdom (2017-08, 2017-09, 2017-10).
Poornima K, Suresh P, Kalaiarasan P, Subramanian S, Ramaraju K (2016) Root knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii in guava (Psidium guajava L.) a new record from India. Madras Agricultural Journal 103(10/12), 359-365 (abst.).
Yükselbaba U, Topakcı N, Göçmen H (2017) A new record of Turkey Aleyrodidae fauna, ficus whitefly Singhiella simplex (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Phytoparasitica 45(5), 715-717.