Update on the situation of Diaphorina citri in Cyprus
In Cyprus, Diaphorina citri (vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ - Hemiptera: Psyllidae, EPPO A1 List) was first recorded in Limassol District in July 2023 (EPPO RS 2023/178) and in September in additional districts in the southern coastal part of the island (Larnaca, Paphos and Ammochostos districts) (RS 2023/196). Official measures have been taken to eradicate the pest and a public awareness campaign is conducted.
Further surveys were conducted and showed that the pest was present in citrus orchards across all districts of Cyprus, namely Ammochostos, Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia, Paphos with the highest populations detected on the north-west coast (Ammochostos). Infested zones and buffer zones have been demarcated. An intensive survey was conducted to confirm the absence of Liberibacter species associated with huanglonbing disease in citrus plants and in D. citri specimens.
Official measures against D. citri include the prohibition of movement of citrus plants outside the infested zone, the use of insecticides alone or in combination with the release of biological control agents, the removal and destruction of heavily infested shoots, and weed management in citrus orchards.
A biological control programme was initiated with the use of the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). The first releases took place in April 2024 and will continue at least up to the end of 2026 with regular monitoring.
The situation of Diaphorina citri in Cyprus can be described as: Present, not widely distributed and under official control.
Sources
Melifronidou‐Pantelidou A, Urbaneja A, Tena A, Seraphides N, Stavrinides M, Koukkoularidou D, Georgiades M (2025) Eradication campaign for Diaphorina citri in Cyprus. EPPO Bulletin 55(2), 305-311.