First record of Bactericera cockerelli in Colombia
In South America, Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae - EPPO A1 List), vector of zebra chip disease, was first reported in several provinces of Ecuador in March 2019 (EPPO RS 2019/092).
In Colombia, the presence of B. cockerelli was detected during official surveys in crops of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in the department of Nariño at the beginning of 2021. The psyllid was found in the following municipalities: Aldana, Contadero, Córdoba, Cuaspud, Cumbal, Guachucal, Guaitarilla, Gualmatán, Ipiales, Ospina, Potosí, Puerres, Pupiales, Sapuyes, Tangua, Túquerres and Yacuanquer. The identity of the pest was confirmed by the National Phytosanitary Diagnostic Laboratory. Following this detection, specific surveillance was intensified in the department of Nariño as well as in other potato producing departments. As of April 2021, B. cockerelli was only found in Nariño.
The pest status of Bactericera cockerelli in Colombia is officially declared as: Present, under surveillance.
Sources
Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) (2021-04-22) Reporte de Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) en el departamento de Nariño. https://www.ica.gov.co/areas/agricola/servicios/epidemiologia-agricola/saf/notificacion-oficial/detalle-notificacion-oficial/reporte-de-bactericera-cockerelli-sulc-hemipter