New data on quarantine pests and pests of the EPPO Alert List
By searching through the literature, the EPPO Secretariat has extracted the following new data concerning quarantine pests and pests included (or formerly included) on the EPPO Alert List, and indicated in bold the situation of the pest concerned using the terms of ISPM 8.
- New records
In New Zealand, two specimens of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A1 List) were caught in traps early 2025 in two locations near Auckland (Birkdale and Papatoetoe). Official measures were taken, and in spring 2025 the pest was declared absent. During surveillance activities in February 2026, four B. dorsalis were found in traps in Papatoetoe (Biosecurity New Zealand, 2025, 2026). Phytosanitary measures have been implemented with the aim of eradication. Present, transient.
Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae, EPPO A2 List) is first reported from Indonesia. It was identified on chrysanthemum in greenhouses in West Java Province (Hutapea et al. 2025). Present, not widely distributed.
Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), one of the species of the Gonipterus scutellatus species complex (EPPO A2 List), is first recorded from India. It is reported as established in the high elevation Nilgiri Plateau in the state of Tamil Nadu since 2019. It was observed in Eucalyptus globulus plantations (Yeshwanth et al., 2025). This is a first record for Asia. Present, not widely distributed.
Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), one of the species of the Gonipterus scutellatus species complex (EPPO A2 List), is first recorded from Paraguay. It was detected in Caazapá Department (southern part of the country) in eucalyptus plantations (Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus camaldulensis clones) in January 2023 (Benítez Díaz et al., 2025). Present, not widely distributed.
Gymnandrosoma aurantianum (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae - EPPO Alert List) is first recorded from the USA. It was detected in Texas in June 2025 but there is no evidence of an established population (PPQ, 2025). Present, transient.
Neopestalotiopsis rosae is reported for the first time in South Africa, associated with leaf and twig blight of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) in South African nurseries (Van der Vyver et al., 2025). Present.
Phytomyza gymnostoma (Diptera: Agromyzidae - formerly EPPO Alert List) is first reported from Canada. The pest was detected in association with leeks (Allium spp.) at a single residential site in the Niagara region of Ontario in November 2025 (IPPC, 2026).
The pest status of Phytomyza gymnostoma in Canada is officially declared as: Present: not widely distributed and under official control.
Tetranychus evansi (EPPO A2 List) is first reported from Côte d'Ivoire. It infests crops of Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum melongena and Solanum aethiopicum across the country but it is more abundant in the northern part of the country (Deletre et al., 2026). Present.
The yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae – EU IAS of concern) is first recorded from Algeria. One adult was observed in a garden near Algiers in September 2025. It is not known if it is established. This is the first record for Africa (Semmar, 2025). Present, not widely distributed.
In the United Kingdom, the yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae – EU IAS of concern) was first reported in September 2016 in south-western England (EPPO RS 2016/208) and has since been reported across England and official measures are applied. In January 2026, a dead nest of V. velutina was found near Wrexham (Clwyd, Wales). This is the first time V. velutina has been reported in Wales and official measures are being implemented according to the Asian Hornet Contingency Plan (Welsh Government, 2026). Present, transient and under official control.
In Guatemala, 17 bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) were first reported during a survey in an avocado (Persea americana) plantation and a natural forest. New species recorded include Xylosandrus compactus (formerly EPPO Alert List) and Xylosandrus morigerus (Ochaeta, 2026). Present.
Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (Begomovirus citrulli, WmCSV - formerly EPPO Alert List) is first reported in India. In May 2024, WmCSV was identified on muskmelon (Cucumis melo) in Punjab (Mahanta et al., 2025). Present.
- Detailed records
In India, during a field survey to identify thrips species present on vegetable and pulse crops, Ceratothripoides claratris (Thysanoptera: Thripidae, EPPO A1 List) and Microcephalothrips abdominalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae, formerly EPPO Alert List) were reported for the first time in Chhattisgarh state. C. claratris was reported for the first time on Vigna mungo (Akanand et al., 2026)
In Indonesia, Diaphorina citri (vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ - Hemiptera: Psyllidae - EPPO A1 List) occurs in Kalimantan (Setyaningrum et al., 2026).
In Kenya Globodera rostochiensis (EPPO A2 List) was first reported in 2015 (EPPO RS 2015/129) on potato (Solanum tuberosum) in Nyandarua county. It is now also reported in Nyeri county (Kiige et al., 2026).
In the USA leaf mines caused by Nemorimyza maculosa (Diptera: Agromyzidae – EPPO A1 List) have been observed in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia (Eiseman et al., 2026).
In Canada, Phyllachora maydis (EPPO Alert List) causing tar spot on maize (Zea mays) was first found in Ontario in 2020 (EPPO RS 2022/028). In 2024 it was first reported from Quebec (Cayer et al., 2025).
In the USA, Phyllachora maydis (EPPO Alert List) causing tar spot on maize (Zea mays) is now reported from 20 states. It was recently recorded for the first time in North Dakota and Virginia (Waibel et al., 2025).
In India, Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae - EPPO Alert List) is reported from Manipur, on red oak (Quercus serrata) (Nishikanta Singh et al., 2026).
In Italy, Zaprionus tuberculatus (Diptera: Drosophilidae – formerly EPPO Alert List) is first reported from Campania and Lazio (Nugnes et al., 2026).
- New host plants
Melon (Cucumis melo) is first reported as a host of cowpea mild mottle virus (Carlavirus vignae, CPMMV - EU Quarantine pest 2019/2072 Annex II A). C. melo plants showing yellowing, mosaic and mottling symptoms in commercial fields in Mato Grosso State (Brazil) were confirmed to be infected by CPMMV in September 2022. Cucumis sativus, which had been previously recorded as an experimental host, was shown to be a natural host of CPMMV (Silva et al., 2026).
Cherry leaf roll virus (Nepovirus avii, CLRV - EU RNQP) was detected on an Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae: EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants) tree showing chlorotic ringspots and leaf distortion in Thessaloniki, Greece (Olmedo-Velarde et al., 2026).
Sources
Akanand D, Rana DK, Sivalingam PN, Dixit A, Tyagi K, Sridhar J (2026) Report of six new thrips species on vegetable and pulse crops in central India. Current Science 130(2), 148.
Benítez Díaz EA, Mongelós-Franco Y, Ojeda L, Ramírez-Ayala L, Acosta D, Garcete-Barret B, Coronel B, Gryciuk Almeida A, Alborno-Jover M (2025) First record of Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and its egg parasitoid Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in Paraguay. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 16(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmaf014
Biosecurity New Zealand (2026) Oriental fruit fly detection in 2026 in Papatoetoe, Auckland. Accessed at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/exotic-pests-and-diseases-in-new-zealand/active-biosecurity-responses-to-pests-and-diseases/oriental-fruit-fly-2026-papatoetoe
Biosecurity New Zealand (2025) Oriental fruit fly eradication in Auckland 2025. Accessed at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/horticultural-pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/oriental-fruit-fly/oriental-fruit-fly-eradication-in-auckland-2025
Cayer E, Duval B, Samson V, Dionne A (2025) La tache goudronneuse du maïs. Fiche technique Grandes cultures. Réseau d'avertissements phytosanitaires. https://www.agrireseau.net/documents/Document_118046.pdf
Deletre E, Latapie C, Migeon A, Auger P, Larpin N, Laboisse S, Martin T (2026) Tetranychus evansi (Tetranychidae) spider mites now a major solanaceous crop pest in Côte d’Ivoire. Experimental and Applied Acarology 96(3), 35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-026-01125-y
Eiseman CS, Lonsdale O, Feldman TS, Van Der Linden JO (2026) Thirty-three new species of Agromyzidae (Diptera) from the United States and Canada, with new host and distribution records for 154 additional species. Zootaxa 5745(1), 1-265.
Hutapea D, Sartiami D, Dadang D, Hidayat P (2025) Western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): A newly recorded invasive species in Indonesia. Jurnal Hama dan Penyakit Tumbuhan Tropika 25(2), 309-316. https://doi.org/10.23960/jhptt.225309-316
IPPC website. Official Pest Reports-Canada (2026-03-09) Report of allium leaf miner (Phytomyza gymnostoma) in Ontario, Canada. https://www.ippc.int/fr/countries/canada/pestreports/2026/03/report-of-allium-leaf-miner-phytomyza-gymnostoma-in-ontario-canada-signalement-de-la-mineuse-du-poireau-phytomyza-gymnostoma-en-ontario-canada/
Kiige JK, Kavoo AM, Mwajita MR, Kiirika LM (2026) Prevalence, severity, and distribution of potato cyst nematode in Nyandarua and Nyeri Counties, Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Sciences–Sri Lanka 21(1), 58-74. DOI: 10.4038/jas.v21i1.11148
Mahanta D, Dhkal M (2025) First report of infection of watermelon chlorotic stunt virus on muskmelon (Cucumis melo) in India. Journal of Plant Pathology 108, 855. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-025-02083-x
Nishikanta Singh K, Taptamani H, Songomsing Chiru TD, Varatharajan R (2026) Biology of red-banded thrips Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on oak leaf. Hexapoda, Insecta Indica 32(2), 1-5, https://doi.org/10.55446/hexa.2026.655
Nugnes F, Carbone C, Miele F, Pica F, Pierro S, Sasso R, Bodini M, Bernardo U (2026) Contrasting invasion strategies, convergent outcomes: establishment of Zaprionus tuberculatus and Ceroplastes ceriferus in Italy. Insect 17(2), 198. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17020198
Ochaeta JF (2026) Diversidad de escarabajos descortezadores y barrenadores (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) en una plantación de aguacate y un bosque natural en Flores, Petén. CUNZAC: Revista Académica 9(1),34-49. https://doi.org/10.46780/cunzac.v9i1.174
Olmedo-Velarde A, Tannieres M, Kashefi J, Shakhzadyan H, Breugnot D, Heck ML (2026) First report of cherry leafroll virus infecting tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), detected in Greece. Plant Disease (early view). https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-26-0343-PDN
PPQ (2025) Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Pest Datasheet for Gymnandrosoma aurantianum (Tortricidae): Citrus fruit borer. United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Raleigh, NC. https://caps.ceris.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gymnandrosoma-aurantianum-CAPS-Datasheet.pdf
Semmar S (2025) The first record of Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1836 in Algeria and Biocontrol Implications. Commagene Journal of Biology 9(2), 243-244. https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1794133
Setyaningrum H, Martono E, Mo J, Subandiyah S, Joko T, Soffan A (2026) Distribution of Diaphorina citri, a citrus huanglongbing vector in Indonesia and new locality records. Jurnal Hama dan Penyakit Tumbuhan Tropika 26(1), 112-135. https://doi.org/10.23960/jhptt.126112-135
Silva BA, Kauffmann CM, Cardenas SB, Queiroz PS, Batista AM, Mota HB, Inoue-Nagata AK, Freitas DM, Nagata T (2026) First report of melon and cucumber plants as natural hosts of cowpea mild mottle virus. Journal of Plant Pathology (early view) https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-026-02122-1
Van der Vyver LS, De Bruin W, Siyoum N, Nsibo DL, Groenewald JZ, Crous PW, Korsten L (2025) Exploring Neopestalotiopsis diversity associated with blueberry leaf and twig blight in South African nurseries. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16, 41-63. https://doi.org/10.3114/fuse.2025.16.3
Waibel KG, Goodnight KM, da Silva CR, Bonkowski JC, Creswell TC, Poudel P, Quinn DJ, Ruhl GE, Shim S, Weaver JC, Wise KA (2025) Tracking the distribution and risk of tar spot of corn in Indiana from 2015 to 2022. Plant Health Progress 26(4), 662-674. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-08-24-0082-S
Welsh Governement (2026-01-20) First finding of yellow-legged hornet in Wales Press release. https://www.gov.wales/first-finding-yellow-legged-hornet-wales
Yeshwanth HM, Viswanathan A, Hariharakrishnan S, Brown SD, Karuppannasamy A, Hiremath SR (2025) Observations on iNaturalist reveal the establishment of non-native Eucalyptus weevil Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Insect Science 25(2), 18. https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieaf029