Update on the situation of Diaphorina citri in Cyprus
Diaphorina citri (vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ - Hemiptera: Psyllidae, EPPO A1 List) was first reported in Cyprus in August 2023 in the municipality of Asómatos in Limassol District (EPPO RS 2023/178). Further surveys were conducted, and the psyllid was detected in citrus orchards in the southern coastal part of the island (Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Ammochostos districts). D. citri was not detected in the area of Nicosia and in the northern part of Cyprus (Polis Chrysochous area in Paphos district) where citrus are cultivated. All samples were tested for Liberibacter species causing huanglongbing following EPPO Diagnostic Protocol PM 7/121 and the results were negative.
The pest status of Diaphorina citri in Cyprus is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Cyprus (2023-09).
EPPO Standard PM7/121(2) Diagnostic Protocol for 'Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter americanus’ and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’. Available at https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/LIBEAS/documents