Eradication of Ripersiella hibisci in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the root mealybug Ripersiella hibisci (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae – EPPO A1 List) was first reported in May 2021 (EPPO RS 2021/127) in relation to imported plants. The plants still at the retailers were destroyed. Since most of the plants had been already sold to private customers, a recall action was conducted in June 2021. About 100 Callistemon plants from the same lot were found thanks to the recall action. Half of them tested positive for R. hibisci. All the located plants have been destroyed. In 2022, a surveillance programme was conducted in nurseries and garden centres that have been in contact with infested plants, and no further cases of infestation were detected.
The pest status of Ripersiella hibisci in Switzerland is officially declared as: Absent, pest eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Switzerland (2023-05).