First report of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Cyprus
The NPPO of Cyprus informed the EPPO Secretariat that Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO A2 List) has recently been found on palm trees on its territory. The pest was observed for the first time on 2006-09-14 and its identity was confirmed on 2006-09-18 by the laboratories of the Plant Protection Section of the Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Institute in Cyprus. R. ferrugineus was found on 4 palm trees (Phoenix canariensis) in the garden of a hotel located on the coastal area of Lemesos. The pest was then detected in isolated cases, in the areas of Nicosia and Larnaca, also on P. canariensis grown in private and public gardens. All infested plants were removed and burned. In addition, the NPPO of Cyprus has taken measures in: 1);training all plant health inspectors in the identification and handling of infested palm trees; 2) informing the public on the appearance of R. ferrugineus (newspapers, announcements on radio and television programmes). Further surveys are being carried out to delimit the extent of the infestation of R. ferrugineus in Cyprus.
The pest status of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Cyprus is officially declared as follows: Present, first recorded in Cyprus in 2006, 3 outbreaks, official measures are taken for its eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Cyprus, 2006-12.