First report of Tetranychus evansi in Crete, Greece
In summer 2006, Tetranychus evansi (Acari: Tetranychidae – EPPO Alert List) was found for the first time in Crete (Greece) during a survey done in the central-eastern part of the island. T. evansi was found near the village of Klima (region of Tympaki) on two occasions (one site on 2006-09-15 and another site on 2006-11-10). On both dates, it was found on Solanum nigrum, growing as a weed in open fields of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and the distance between the two sampling sites was approximately 500 m. Plants of S. nigrum were heavily infested by T. evansi. Only a few individuals (from all developmental stages) and eggs were found on some tomato plants incidentally growing in the vicinity of infested weeds. In this region of Crete, solanaceous plants (tomato, capsicum and aubergine) are intensively grown and are economically important. More intensive surveys will be carried out in Crete to delimit the extent of the infestation and to better identify the host plants of T. evansi.
The situation of Tetranychus evansi in Greece can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2006 on the island of Crete on weeds (Solanum nigrum).
Sources
Personal communication with Dr Tsagkarakou, Plant Protection Institute, Heraklio, Crete (GR), 2007-02.