New findings 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, Sicilia (EPPO RS 2021/081), and in other production sites in the same province (RS 2021/124). All outbreaks were considered eradicated in December 2021 (RS 2022/007).
The NPPO of Italy recently informed the Secretariat that the pest was found again in plants of Chamaerops humilis variety ‘Compacta’ grown in a cold greenhouse in a nursery located in the municipality of Pescia (Pistoia province, Toscana) in April 2022.
Trace back investigations were conducted, and the presence of the pest was also detected in plants of C. humilis in a nursery located in Calatabiano (Province of Catania – Sicilia). In both outbreaks phytosanitary measures are applied in order to eradicate the pest.
The pest status of Ripersiella hibisci in Italy is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2022-04).
Regional decree n.2794 of 23/07/2021 Misure fitosanitarie per l’eradicazione di Ripersiella hibisci in vivaio Regione Siciliana. https://www.regione.sicilia.it/sites/default/files/2021-08/DD%202794%20del%2023-07-2021%20Ripersiella%20%281%29.pdf