First report of Ripersiella hibisci in Spain
The NPPO of Spain recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first findings of the root mealybug Ripersiella hibisci (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae – EPPO A1 List) on its territory. In November 2021, R. hibisci was first detected in Callistemon sp. plants from a commercial operator located in the municipality of Moncada, Valencia province, in the Autonomous Region of Comunidad Valenciana following trace-back investigations related to a finding on Callistemon plants imported from Spain to another EU Member State. This operator is only a trader and does not produce any plants. All Callistemon plants in the premises were inspected and R. hibisci was detected on four plants. The identity of the pest was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory in December 2021. The pest was not detected in other host plant species present in the premises. All the Callistemon plants immobilised have been destroyed and all the material and machinery that may have been in contact with the affected plants have been disinfected. This outbreak is considered eradicated.
Trace-back investigations showed that plants came from several nurseries in different parts of Spain. These nurseries were inspected and R. hibisci was found:
- in a nursery located in Cambrils, Tarragona province, in the Autonomous Region of Cataluña in Callistemon laevis (syn. Melaleuca citrina). Other host plants (Nerium oleander and Hibiscus sp.) were also sampled but the results of the laboratory tests are not yet available.
- in a nursery located in Cuevas del Almanzora, Almeria province, in the Autonomous Region of Andalucía in Callistemon sp.
- in a nursery located in Vera, Almeria province, in the Autonomous Region of Andalucía in Callistemon sp.
Eradication measures are applied in the different outbreak sites and include the destruction of the infested plants, and the disinfection of the tools and machinery.
The pest status of Ripersiella hibisci in Spain is officially declared as: Present, under eradication, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2022-01).