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
The black fig weevil, Aclees taiwanensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is first reported in Türkiye. It was detected on fig trees (Ficus carica) in October 2024, in several sites in Sarıyer-Bahçeköy municipality (Istanbul province) (Bacak et al., 2026). Present, not widely distributed and not under official control.
The North American leafminer Aspilanta oinophylla (Lepidoptera: Heliozelidae) (formerly Antispila oinophylla) is first reported from Slovenia. It was first observed in 2021 in several vineyards (Vitis vinifera) in western Slovenia, likely after natural spread from Italy. Between 2022 and 2024, monitoring confirmed its presence at a total of 22 locations across the Goriška region, the Kras, and the coastal part of the country. No major damage has been recorded (Žežlina et al., 2026). This species was first recorded in the EPPO region in Italy in 2007 (EPPO RS 2013/012) and is also found in Ticino (Switzerland). Present, not widely distributed and not under official control.
Monosporascus cannonballus (formerly EPPO Alert List) is first reported from Australia. This fungal pathogen causes root rot of cucurbitaceous crops. It was detected in two locations in the Northern Territory, on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants in the Darwin region, and in honeydew melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) and rockmelon (Cucumis melo) plants in the Katherine region. The authorities consider that it is unlikely to be feasible to eradicate the disease in Australia (AusVeg, 2026). Present, not widely distributed and not under official control.
Potato cyst nematodes are first reported from Yemen. Surveys were conducted in 2023 in potato (Solanum tuberosum) fields in the governorates of Amran, Dhamar, and Ibb (western part of the country). Potato cyst nematodes were detected in the three governorates. As the nematodes were only identified at genus level, it is not known whether Globodera pallida or G. rostochiensis or both occur in Yemen (Showkat & Saeed, 2026). Present, widespread.
Potato mop-top virus (Pomovirus solani, PMTV) is first reported from Italy. It was detected on one discarded ware potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber in October 2025 in Calabria. During the survey conducted in 2021-2025 in this area, no PMTV-like symptoms had been observed in fields or harvested tubers. Further investigations are underway to determine the introduction pathway and assess the occurrence of PMTV in the area (Tiberini et al., 2026).
The oak processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea processionea (EU PZ Quarantine pest (EU) 2019/2072 Annex III) is reported for the first time in India. A cluster of caterpillars were found in Maharashtra state in August 2025 on guava plants (Psidium sp.). One adult male was identified morphologically as T. processionea (Theurkar, 2026). The article was published in a peer-reviewed journal but because this is the first record of T. processionea in Asia, on a new host plant, and the identification was not confirmed by a specialist, the EPPO Secretariat considered that it should be further confirmed.
- Detailed records
In China, cherry rasp leaf virus (Cheravirus avii, CRLV- EPPO A1 List), previously known to occur only in North America, was first reported in 2002 in Liaoning and in 2013 in Shandong (north-eastern China) (RS 2015/079). It was first reported in 2024 in north-western China, in Qinghai province on sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium). The following viruses were also reported for the first time in this province: cherry green ring mottle virus (Robigovirus viridiavii, CGRMV - EU RNQP), cherry virus A (CVA, Capillovirus alphavii), little cherry virus 1 (Velarivirus nanoavii, LChV1 - EU RNQP), prunus necrotic ringspot virus (Ilarvirus PNRSV, PNRSV - EU RNQP), and prune dwarf virus (Ilarvirus PDV, PDV - EU RNQP). They were identified by ELISA tests (Zhang et al., 2026).
In Uruguay, Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae – EPPO A2 List) was first recorded in 2023 in Montevideo and in 2024 in Rivera department (RS 2025/118). As of 2026, it was detected on urban trees in four departments: Montevideo, Canelones, Rivera and Paysandú. No cases have been observed in forestry production or other production systems (NPPO of Uruguay, 2026).
In the USA laurel wilt caused by Harringtonia lauricola (EPPO A1 List) is mainly reported in south-eastern states. It was first recorded in 2025 in the north-east part of the country in New York state (EPPO RS 2025/2029). In August 2026 the fungus was first reported in Connecticut, in symptomatic sassafras (Sassafras albidum) trees in Fairfield County. The pathogen was identified by laboratory tests (CAES, 2026).
In Mexico the fungal pathogen Phymatotrichopsis omnivora (EPPO A1 list) was known to occur in Coahuila and Durango states. It was recently reported as damaging to mango trees (Mangifera indica) in Oaxaca (Ramírez-Orozco et al., 2026)
In Brazil, the root knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii (EPPO A2 List) is reported for the first time in Roraima state on commercial soybean (Glycine max) in July 2025 (Diniz et al., 2026).
In Peru, citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. citri (EPPO A1 List) was first reported in 2023 from the region of Ucayali (Coronel Portillo province). In 2024, it has also been recorded in the neighbouring region of Loreto. As of October 2026, the pest remains restricted to the provinces of Atalia, Coronel Portillo and Padre Abad in Ucayali region, and the provinces of Maynas and Alto Amazonas in Loreto region. These two regions are located far from the main areas where citrus fruits are produced for export. (IPPC, 2026).
The pest status of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri in Peru is officially declared as: Present, not widely distributed and under official control.
- Eradication
Tomato mottle mosaic virus (Tobamovirus maculatessellati, ToMMV – formerly EPPO Alert List) was first reported in Germany in a greenhouse in 2023 (EPPO RS 2023/257). The infected plants, as well as the foils and irrigation tubes, were disposed of following heat treatment, and the greenhouse was disinfected and is now used only for the cultivation of non-host plants. Subsequent inspections did not detect the virus (NPPO of Germany, 2026-10).
The pest status of ToMMV in the Germany is officially declared as: Absent, pest eradicated.
·New host plants
Batocera rufomaculata (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a polyphagous wood borer native to South-East Asia. In Oman it was recently observed killing mature baobab (Adansonia digitata) trees. This is a new host record for B. rufomaculata. Venter et al. (2026) underlined that this could be a major concern if this pest was introduced in Africa where baobabs are important native trees.
Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae - EPPO A1 List) was reported on Crataegus x cogswellii, Crataegus okennonii, and Crataegus castlegarensis in Washington state, USA. Larvae were reared to adults from Crataegus fruit collected in 2023 and 2024 (Yee et al., 2026).
- Regulation
Chrysanthemum white rust caused by Puccinia horiana (EPPO A2 List) is no longer regulated as a quarantine pest in the USA (USDA-APHIS, 2026).
- Aetiology
In Ghana, surveys were conducted to identify the vector of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma palmicola’ (one of the species causing Lethal yellowing type syndromes – EPPO A1 List). The pathogen was detected in three insect species: Patara armata (Hemiptera: Derbidae) and two undescribed species of Diostrombus (Hemiptera: Derbidae) in area where the disease was prevalent. They are considered as potential vectors.
Sources
AusVeg (2026) Monosporascus root rot detection in the Northern Territory. Press release 2026-09-29. https://ausveg.com.au/article/monosporascus-root-rot-detection-in-the-northern-territory/
Bacak E, Beşkardeş V, Bacak E, Yilmaz E (2026) A new threat to fig trees in Turkiye: the first record of Aclees taiwanensis Kȏno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). BioInvasions Records 15(1): 89–96, https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2026.
CAES (2026-09-10) CAES asks residents to scout for laurel wilt on sassafras and spicebus. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Press release https://portal.ct.gov/caes/agency-press-release-results-page/2026-9-10?language=en_US
Diniz FD, Valadares JI, Mizubuti ES, Santos PS, Santiago TR (2026) First report of the emerging root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii on soybean in Roraima, northern Brazil. Plant Disease (early view) https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-26-1165-PDN
IPPC website Official Pest Reports. Peru (PER-03/11 of 2026-10-15) Actualización de la condición de Xanthomonas citri pv. citri en Perú. https://www.ippc.int/fr/countries/peru/pestreports/2024/08/actualizacion-de-la-condicion-de-xanthomonas-citri-subsp-citri-en-peru/
NPPO of Germany (2026-10).
NPPO of Uruguay (2026-10-14) La DGF recuerda la importancia de comunicar la presencia del barrenador polífago en árboles. https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-ganaderia-agricultura-pesca/comunicacion/noticias/dgf-recuerda-importancia-comunicar-presencia-del-barrenador-polifago-arboles
Ramírez-Orozco XA, López-Juan F, Cruz-Luna AR, Vásquez-López A (2026) Pudrición radicular en mango (Mangifera indica L.): aislamiento, histopatología y sensibilidad de Phymatotrichopsis a aceites esenciales. Chilean journal of agricultural & animal sciences 42(2), 270-282. https://doi.org/10.29393/CHJAAS42-23PRFR40023r
Showkat JK, Saeed MR (2026) Occurrence of potato cyst nematode (Globodera spp.) as a threat to the potato crop in Yemen. Arab Journal of Plant Protection 44(2) 173-182. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001384
Sossah FL, Tettey E, Aidoo OF, Boateng BO, Asante K, Yankey EN (2026) Molecular survey of coconut lethal yellowing phytoplasmas in putative insect vectors in Ghana. Journal of Applied Entomology (early view) https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.70157.
Theurkar SV (2026) First record of the Oak processionary caterpillar from Jaulake khurd, Pune, part of North-West Ghats (MS), India. Flora and Fauna 32(1), 91-94. https://doi.org/10.33451/florafauna.v32i1pp91-94
Tiberini A, Donati L, Manglii MA, Vitale S, Luongo L, Tomassoli L. First report of potato mop-top virus on potato (Solanum tuberosum) in Italy. Plant Disease (early view) https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-26-1068-PD
USDA-APHIS (2026) Notice of decision to deregulate chrysanthemum white rust and the importation of Chrysanthemum spp. cuttings, and in vitro plantlets, and synonymous taxa from certain countries into the Continental United States. APHIS-2021-0081. Available at https://www.regulations.gov/
Venter SM, Akaak AS, Akaak MM (2026) A new pest threatens Africa’s iconic baobab trees. Global Ecology and Conservation e04108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04108
Yee WL, Milnes JM, Norrbom AL (2026) Comprehensive lists of suitable host plants of apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh, 1867)(Diptera: Tephritidae), including new host records. The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 102(3), 155-190. https://doi.org/10.3956/2025-102.3.155
Žežlina I, Murenc A, Devetak M, Rot M, Carlevaris B, Dariž JC (2026) First report of the North American leafminer Aspilanta oinophylla (van Nieukerken & Wagner, 2012)(Lepidoptera: Heliozelidae) in Slovenia. BioInvasions Records 15(1), 59-65, https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2026.15.1.06
Zhang LJ, Xian WR, Ma YQ (2026) Detection and analysis of occurrence characteristics of major viruses infecting Prunus avium L. in Qinghai Province based on ELISA. Acta Phytopathologica Sinica 56(4), 554-563 (abst.)