First report of Scirtothrips dorsalis in Islas Canarias (Spain) and new findings in continental Spain
In Spain, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A2 List) was first reported in 2017 on the mainland in Comunidad Valenciana (EPPO RS 2017/129) and in 2019 in Andalucia (RS 2019/183).
The NPPO of Spain recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first findings of S. dorsalis in the region of Murcia. The pest was detected in October 2023 in 3 citrus plots planted with (in total) 4 Citrus species; Citrus limon, C. sinensis, C. reticulata, C. paradisi and covering a combined area of 8.62 ha, located in the municipalities of Murcia, Molina de Segura and Torre Pacheco.
The pest was also found in a new province in Andalucia (Almería) following trace back investigations following an interception of S. dorsalis on Citrus meyeri plants from a Spanish operator by another EU Member State. The pest was found in November 2023 in a nursery producing Citrus meyeri plants under a mesh-covered structure in the municipality of Pulpí.
In both cases, demarcated areas have been established and official phytosanitary measures will be taken.
The pest status of Scirtothrips dorsalis in Spain is officially declared as: Present, under eradication, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
A recent article reports that S. dorsalis was first detected in 2016 on the island of Tenerife (Islas Canarias) in a mango (Mangifera indica) orchard in Guía de Isora. Identification was based on morphological characteristics. Individuals of S. dorsalis were found again in 2021 in Güímar in a bean crop (Phaseolus vulgaris). In February 2022 a high level of infestation and damage were found on mango in the initial location in Guía de Isora, co-occurring with S. inermis (native thrips species). Molecular studies confirmed the identification of S. dorsalis South Asia 1. A survey is planned to evaluate the spread of the pest within the island of Tenerife and on the neighbouring islands.
Sources
Mouratidis A, Bastin S, Pomposo M, Marrero E, Goldarazena A, Hernández-Suárez E (2023) First report of Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood in the Canary Islands. EPPO Bulletin (early view). https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.12968
NPPO of Spain (2023-12).