Update on the situation of Eotetranychus lewisi in Madeira (Portugal)
In Portugal, Eotetranychus lewisi (Acari: Tetranychidae - EU Annexes) is only recorded from Madeira. This pest was first found in Madeira Island in 1988, on poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), and on Vitis sp. in 1990. During the following ten years there was only one detection of this mite in Annona trees. Since then no findings were recorded, although this species was part of annual official surveys conducted for quarantine pests of citrus. In September and October 2017, E. lewisi was detected in Madeira Island (municipality of Câmara De Lobos and Ribeira Brava) in poinsettia plants growing wild on the side of rural roads, as a result of the national official survey in place. Following these new detections, phytosanitary measures have been implemented aiming at eradication. Those included destruction of the infested plants, preventive treatments of the surrounding areas, restrictions of movement of host plants originating in the county where the pest was found, and intensification of the official survey program. The pest was detected again on E. pulcherrima: 1) in June and July 2018 on plants growing in small gardens in 3 different municipalities (Funchal, Ponta Do Sol and Santa Cruz), and 2) in May 2019 in Funchal in a garden, and in Câmara De Lobos on poinsettias growing on the side of road. Eradication measures have been applied in all cases.
The pest status of Eotetranychus lewisi in Portugal is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Portugal (2019-08, 2018-07, 2018-03).