Update on the situation of Unaspis citri in the Azores islands (Portugal)
In Portugal, Unaspis citri (Hemiptera: Diaspididae, EPPO A1 List) was known to occur in Sao Miguel Island in Azores (EPPO RS 1999/037) and was first detected in October 2022 in Santa Maria Island (EPPO RS 2023/132).
The NPPO of Portugal recently provided an update of the situation based on the surveys carried out in 2023. The presence of U. citri was first detected on Faial and Graciosa islands.
- On Faial island, the pest was detected in July 2023 on citrus plants (Citrus limonia, C. sinensis), collected in small orchards, in 5 parishes of the only county in Faial island, Horta.
- On Graciosa island, the pest was detected in November 2023 in several citrus plants (Citrus deliciosa, C. limonia, C. reticulata, C. sinensis) collected in small orchards, in 2 parishes of the only county in Graciosa island, Santa Cruz.
In São Miguel island, surveys carried out in 2022 showed that the pest was present in all the 6 counties of the island. It was detected in 27 out of the 80 locations surveyed.
The origin of the infestations is unknown. Surveys will be intensified in the islands.
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 (2023-12).