First report of Unaspis citri in Santa Maria Island (Azores, Portugal)
Unaspis citri (Hemiptera: Diaspididae, EPPO A1 List) was known to occur in Sao Miguel Island in Azores (Portugal) (EPPO RS 1999/037). It was first detected in October 2022 in Santa Maria Island. As a result of the surveys carried out in 2022, U. citri was officially confirmed in a symptomatic Citrus sinensis tree in a private garden, in the parish of Vila do Porto. Further surveys were conducted in the vicinity of the infested tree and U. citri was detected in 2 samples of citrus plants (C. sinensis and Citrus x limonia), collected in 2 different private gardens, one contiguous to the first finding and the second one 600 m away. In addition six other citrus plants (3 C. sinensis, 1 C. limon, 1 C. x limonia and 1 C. deliciosa) in the second garden showed suspicious symptoms. Investigations are ongoing to gather additional information on the source of these outbreaks. Phytosanitary measures have been taken, including destruction of the infested and suspicious plants by uprooting and incineration.
The pest status of Unaspis citri in Portugal is officially declared as: Present: only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
Sources
NPPO of Portugal (2023-04, 2023-06). |