Update on the situation of Scirtothrips aurantii and Scirtothrips dorsalis in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A2 List) had previously been found in 2019 and 2022 in relation with imported plants and eradicated (EPPO RS 2022/204, RS 2022/204, RS 2023/010). Scirtothrips aurantii (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A1 List) was first found on ornamental plants in October 2024 before eradication in July 2025 (RS 2025/195).
The NPPO of the Netherlands recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of new findings of Scirtothrips aurantii (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A1 List) and Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A2 List) on its territory in the provinces of Zuid-Holland and Noord-Brabant.
- Noord-Brabant province
In October 2025, S. dorsalis was found on Baccharis genistelloides during an export inspection on ornamental plants for planting from a greenhouse (2 ha) in the municipality of Midden-Noord-Brabant (Noord-Brabant province). Further inspections in the greenhouse and a neighbouring greenhouse (0.7 ha) discovered S. dorsalis of different life stages on 10 ornamental plant species: Baccharis genistelloides, Magnolia grandiflora, Fatsia japonica, Pieris japonica, Pittosporum tenuifolium, Euonymus japonicus, Viburnum tinus, Skimmia japonica, Caryopteris clandonensis and Azalea japonica. Later in October, S. dorsalis was reported on yellow sticky traps that had been placed in both greenhouses and a neighbouring shade house (0.25 ha). No S. dorsalis was reported on traps placed on plant pots outside the greenhouses and shade house. In total 1592 plants were declared as infested. Forward tracing identified deliveries of plants from the greenhouses to other EU countries, who have been notified. Sampling, back tracing and forward tracing is ongoing.
In December 2025, all lots with infested plants in the 2-ha greenhouse and shade house were incinerated and the greenhouse and shade house were cleaned. A ban applies on the movement of all remaining plants outside the facilities until April 2026. Other phytosanitary measures in the 2-ha greenhouse have been lifted but remain in place in the 0.7-ha greenhouse.
During the inspection of the first greenhouse found infested (2 ha) in October 2025, two suspected larvae of S. aurantii were reported on Olea europaea plants. One larva was first identified as S. aurantii by morphological test but during reexamination the identity could not be confirmed with certainty so they were identified as Scirtothrips cf. aurantii.
- Noord-Holland province
In November 2025, during a post-import monitoring inspection, two suspected larvae of S. aurantii were found in a greenhouse in Noord-Holland on rosemary plants (Salvia rosmarinus) originating from another EU Member State. During a follow-up inspection at the end of the month, one female S. aurantii was found in a lot of 115 ornamental S. rosmarinus plants for planting. The identity of the pest was confirmed by morphological and molecular tests. Trace forward investigations showed that other S. rosmarinus plants had been sold. Official phytosanitary measures have been applied, including the use of plant protection products, incineration of infested plants and a ban on the movement of any plants out of the greenhouse compartment.
- Zuid-Holland province
Forward tracing from an outbreak of S. dorsalis in July 2025 on Podocarpus macrophyllus in a nursery greenhouse in Utrecht (RS 2025/195) identified a company that had received Zelkova parvifolia and Ficus retusa plants. In October 2025, S. dorsalis was first found on yellow sticky traps placed in the greenhouse near plants of Z. parviflora and F. retusa, then the greenhouse was inspected and adult specimens of S. dorsalis were found on seven bonsai plants of Zanthoxylum sp. No additional S. dorsalis were found on traps. The identity of the pest was confirmed by morphological analysis. Official phytosanitary measures have been implemented, including a ban on the movement of any plants out of the facilities until April 2026.
The pest status of Scirtothrips aurantii in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
The pest status of Scirtothrips dorsalis in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2025-10, 2025-11, 2025-12).