First report of Ripersiella hibisci in France
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of the root mealybug Ripersiella hibisci (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae – EPPO A1 List) on its territory. The pest was found in September 2021 in several nurseries in the Pays-de-la-Loire region. Investigations are being conducted to confirm the origin of the outbreak and determine the extent of the outbreak. Most of the infested plants were linked to imported Callistemon sp. and Callistemon citrinus. Official measures will be applied to eradicate the outbreak. It may be recalled that R. hibisci was first found in the EU in Italy in April 2021 (EPPO RS 2021/081 and RS 2021/124).
The pest status of Ripersiella hibisci in France is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of France (2021-10).