First report of Stigmaeopsis longus in the Netherlands
The NPPO of the Netherlands recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Stigmaeopsis longus (Acari: Tetranychidae) on its territory. This spider mite was found during an official inspection in a nursey on a Phyllostachys aurea (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) plant on 2020-08-26. The pest was subsequently detected in gardens at two other locations on bamboo plants including Sasa sp. According to the Dutch NPPO, this is the first finding of S. longus in the EPPO region.
S. longus is present in Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu) (Saito et al., 2004). In 1999, its presence was recorded in the Willamette Valley in Oregon (US) on bamboos (Pratt and Croft, 1999), but both the pest identification and its establishment have not been further confirmed. The host range of S. longus includes several Sasa species, such as Sasa kurilensis, S. senanensis and S. veitchii (Migeon and Dorkel, 2020). However, the current finding on Phyllostachys aurea indicates that the host plant range is not restricted to the genus Sasa. S. longus creates dense nests on the underside of leaves. Feeding activity of the mites results in large yellow spots which turn brown over time. Damaged leaves persist on the plants which is detrimental to their aesthetic value.
A preliminary pest risk analysis has been completed in the Netherlands. Considering the native range of the pest which occurs from Northern to Southern Japan, it is hypothesized that most of Europe is likely to be suitable for its establishment. In the EPPO region, two other Asian Stigmaeopsis species feeding on bamboos (S. celarius and S. nanjingensis) have been introduced and are already present in several countries (Pellizzari and Duso, 2009). S. longus causes similar damage, but is adapted to cooler climates. Its presence may lead to more pesticide applications in nurseries and loss of bamboo aesthetic value in gardens. The three current findings made in the Netherlands are not connected and concern different geographic locations. The extent of the damage on the plants suggests that the introduction is not recent. It is therefore assumed that S longus is already established in the Netherlands and no official phytosanitary measures are taken.
The pest status of Stigmaeopsis longus in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Present.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2020-11).
Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
- Pest report (2020-11-05) First finding of Stigmaeopsis longus on Phyllostachys aurea and Sasa plants - November 2020. https://english.nvwa.nl/documents/plant/plant-health/pest-reporting/documents/pest-report---first-finding-of-stigmaeopsis-longus
- Stigmaeopsis longus quick scan (2020-10-26) https://english.nvwa.nl/documents/plant/plant-health/pest-risk-analysis/documents/quick-scan-stigmaeopsis-longus
Migeon A, Dorkeld F (2020) Spider Mites Web: a comprehensive database for the Tetranychidae. https://www1.montpellier.inra.fr/CBGP/spmweb/index.php
Pellizzari G, Duso C (2007) Occurrence of Stigmaeopsis nanjingensis in Europe. Bulletin of Insectology 62(2): 149-151. http://www.bulletinofinsectology.org/pdfarticles/vol62-2009-149-151pellizzari.pdf
Pratt PD, Croft BA (1999) Expanded distribution of the bamboo spider mite, Schizotetranychus longus (Acari: Tetranychidae), and predation by Neoseiulus fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Acarologia 40, 191-197.
Saito Y, Mori K, Sakagami T, Lin J (2004) Reinstatement of the genus Stigmaeopsis Banks, with descriptions of two new species (Acari, Tetranychidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 97(4), 635-646.