First report of huanglongbing in Uruguay
In December 2022, the presence of huanglongbing (associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter spp.’ – EPPO A1 List) was recorded for the first time in Uruguay and the Ministry of Agriculture declared a phytosanitary emergency. The disease (bacterial species not specified) has been detected by PCR test in one citrus plant growing in a private garden in Bella Unión (Artigas department, Northern Uruguay). The infected plant has immediately been destroyed and surveys are being carried out within a radius of 10 km around the detection site. Phytosanitary measures are being put in place to prevent the spread of the disease, following a contingency plan which had been developed during the last 10 years between public and private institutions. In addition, Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) has been released in Bella Unión to control populations of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) which is one of the insect vectors of huanglongbing.
The situation of huanglongbing in Uruguay can be described as follows: Transient (detected in 1 citrus plant which has been destroyed).
Sources
Ministerio de Ganaderia, Agricultura y Pesca (2023-01-19) Emergencia sanitaria: HLB en Bella Unión: Liberan insecto para control biológico del vector and comunicado de prensa ante la detección de HLB. https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-ganaderia-agricultura-pesca/comunicacion/noticias/hlb-bella-union-liberan-insecto-para-control-biologico-del-vector