First report of Baliothrips sunae in the Netherlands
The NPPO of the Netherlands recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Baliothrips sunae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on its territory.
During April and May 2026, the presence of a thrips species new to Europe, identified as Baliothrips sunae, was recorded on ornamental plants for planting of Carex, at four locations in the Netherlands. The pest was first detected during export inspections and several life stages were found: larvae, pupae and adults. For one of these findings the plants originated in another EU Member State.
No significant damage was recorded on the plants, except in one occasion where some leaf damage was observed but several other thrips species were also detected on these plants.
Very limited information is available on B. sunae apart from the original description of the species in China (Zhang et al., 2018). The species was described from ‘grasses’ in Zhejiang. Therefore, no preliminary risk assessment was carried out by the NPPO. No official measures have been taken.
The pest status finding of Baliothrips sunae in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Present, few occurrences on plants for planting of Carex.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2026-06). https://english.nvwa.nl/documents/plant-health/pest-reporting/documents/pest-report-baliothrips-sunae-on-plants-for-planting-of-carex-in-the-netherlands
Zhang S, Wang Z, Yajin Li & Mound L (2018) One new species, two generic synonyms and eight new records of Thripidae from China (Thysanoptera). Zootaxa 4418 (4), 370-378. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4418.4.3