Eradication of Ripersiella hibisci in Italy
The root mealybug Ripersiella hibisci (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae – EPPO A1 List) was detected for the first time in Italy in April 2021 in a nursery in the Province of Catania, Sicily (EPPO RS 2021/081), and in other production sites in the same province (RS 2021/124) on various ornamental plants. Eradication measures have been applied in all sites. Official inspections were conducted regularly and, as of December 2021, the pest is considered to be eradicated in all production sites.
The pest status of Ripersiella hibisci in Italy is officially declared as: Absent, pest eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2021-08, 2021-12, 2022-01).