Update on the situation of Aleurocanthus spiniferus in France
In France Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae – EPPO A2 List) was first reported in the departments of Gard and Hérault (Occitanie region) in June 2023 (EPPO RS 2023/160). In August 2023, A. spiniferus was detected in the municipality of Menton (Alpes-Maritimes, region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) in a citrus orchard. Further surveys revealed the presence of the pest in two additional production plots and two nurseries in Menton, as well as in an orchard (Citrus sp. and Vitis sp.) in the nearby municipality of Castellar.
Phytosanitary measures were applied. Delimiting surveys conducted within a 2 km radius around the infested sites in Menton and Castellar showed that A. spiniferus is present in public sites on a range of host plants including several new hosts: Akebia quinata, Mespilus germanica, Photinia x fraseri, Schefflera sp., Wisteria sinensis. The full extent of its spread is still being determined. The measures, which were already in place in Occitanie, such as insecticide treatments, destruction of infested plants, and movement restrictions, are also being applied in the newly affected areas.
The pest status of Aleurocanthus spiniferus in France is officially declared as: Present only in specific parts of the area concerned, under containment, in case eradication is impossible.
Sources
NPPO of France (2024-07).