First report of Hishimonus sellatus and H. hamatus in the Netherlands
Hishimonus sellatus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) was first found in the EPPO region in 2007 in Russian Federation and has been recorded in Armenia and Georgia (EPPO RS 2023/044). H. sellatus is a polyphagous pest that causes minimal damage to host plants through feeding, however it is known to vector several strains of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’ (EU A1 Quarantine Pest) and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ (EU RNQP).
In August and September 2025, during official monitoring for the presence of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A2 List) H. sellatus was reported for the first time in the Netherlands. Specimens were caught on yellow sticky traps in a commercial greenhouse in the province of Utrecht, West-Nederland. A total of 54 adults were caught on traps between 12th August 2025 and 2nd September. No further adults were found on traps after 9th September 2025. Visual inspection in the greenhouse confirmed sucking damage from H. sellatus on bonsai Rhododendron indicum plants imported from China in February 2025 that were located near the traps. There was no sign of damage on other plants in the greenhouse.
Phytosanitary measures had already been implemented in the greenhouse in early August, after a finding of Scirtothrips dorsalis, which were deemed effective for the control of H. sellatus. Further measures were applied targeting H sellatus, this includes restriction of movement of all plants out of the greenhouse compartment (0.2 ha), application of plant protection products, weekly trap monitoring and controlled disposal of plant waste. H. sellatus has been declared ‘quarantine-worthy’ by the NPPO of the Netherlands.
The pest status of Hishimonus sellatus in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Another Hishimonus species was also recently recorded in the Netherlands: Hishimonus hamatus. H. hamatus originates from Eastern Asia and was first found in the EPPO region in 2012 in Slovenia (EPPO RS 2014/025) and then in several countries in Europe (RS 2023/044, RS 2025/001). In the Netherlands four specimens were caught in light traps in 2024. The lack of records on plants suggest that this species may only reach the Netherlands during migrating flights.
The pest status of Hishimonus hamatus in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Present, few occurrences.
Sources
de Haas MM, den Bieman CK, Jansen RP, Lommen G, Martens T, van de Meulengraaf B, Verbeek M (2025) Four leafhoppers new for the Dutch fauna (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadomorpha: Cicadellidae). entomologische berichten 85(2), 61-65.
Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (2025-09) Quick scan for Hishimonus sellatus. Accessed at: https://english.nvwa.nl/topics/pest-risk-analysis/documents/plant/plant-health/pest-risk-analysis/documents/quick-scan-hishimonus-sellatus