Pest categorisation of Conotrachelus nenuphar

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), for the EU. C. nenuphar is a well-defined species, recognised as a serious pest of stone and pome fruit in the USA and Canada where it also feeds on a range of other hosts including soft fruit (e.g. Ribes, Fragaria) and wild plants (e.g. Crataegus). Adults, which are not good flyers, feed on tender twigs, flower buds and leaves. Females oviposit into host fruit; if oviposition occurs in young fruit, the fruit usually falls prematurely reducing yield; oviposition in older fruit causes surface blemishes and the fruit distorts as it develops reducing marketability. Larvae develop within host fruit but exit to pupate in soil. Adults overwinter in leaf litter. C. nenuphar is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Fruit infested shortly before harvest and soil with leaf litter accompanying plants for planting could potentially provide a pathway into the EU. Considering the climatic similarities between North America and Europe, and that hosts occur widely within the EU, C. nenuphar has potential to establish within the EU. There could be one or two generations per year, as in North America. Impacts could be expected, e.g. in Prunus spp. and apples. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of introduction of C. nenuphar. All of the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union quarantine pest are met. C. nenuphar does not meet the criteria of occurring in the EU nor plants for planting being the principal means of spread. Hence it does not satisfy all of the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP)

Pest categorisation of Sternochetus mangiferae

The European Commission requested EFSA to conduct a pest categorisation of Sternochetus mangiferae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a monophagous pest weevil whose larvae exclusively feed on mango seeds, whereas adults feed on mango foliage. S. mangiferae is a species with reliable methods available for identification. It is regulated in the EU by Council Directive 2000/29/EC where it is listed in Annex IIB as a harmful organism whose introduction into EU Protected Zones (PZ) (Alentejo, Algarve and Madeira in Portugal, and Granada and Malaga in Spain) is banned. S. mangiferae is native to South East Asia and has spread to other mango-growing areas in Africa, South America and Oceania, causing significant damage. Larvae of S. mangiferae have been detected several times in mango fruit imported into the EU. In 2013, an outbreak was declared in one PZ in Spain. Official measures taken achieved eradication, which was officially declared in January 2018. The EFSA Plant Health Panel concludes that S. mangiferae could establish again and spread in the mango-growing areas of southern EU. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess the status as a potential Union quarantine pest (QP), as a potential protected zone quarantine pest (PZQP) or as a potential regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP), S. mangiferae meets with no uncertainties the criteria for consideration as a potential Union QP, as it is absent from the EU, potential pathways for entry exist, and its establishment would cause an economic impact. The criterion of the pest being present in the EU, which is a prerequisite for RNQP and PZ QP, is not met

Pest categorisation of Acrobasis pirivorella

The European Commission requested EFSA to conduct a pest categorisation of Acrobasis pirivorella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a monophagous moth whose larvae exclusively feed on developing buds, flowers, and fruits of cultivated and wild Pyrus spp. A. pirivorella is a species with reliable methods available for identification. A. pirivorella occurs in north-east Asia only, causing significant damage in cultivated pears. It is regulated in the EU by Council Directive 2000/29/EC where it is listed in Annex IIAI. Within this regulation, plants for planting of Pyrus spp. is a closed pathway. This species has never been reported by Europhyt. Fruits and cut branches of Pyrus spp. are open pathways. Biotic and abiotic conditions are conducive for establishment and spread of A. pirivorella in the EU. Were A. pirivorella to establish, impact on pear production is expected. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess its regulatory plant health status, A. pirivorella meets the criteria for consideration as a potential Union quarantine pest (it is absent from the EU, potential pathways exist and its establishment would cause an economic impact). Given that A. pirivorella is not known to occur in the EU, it fails to meet some of the criteria required for regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP) status

Pest categorisation of Aleurocanthus spp

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Aleurocanthus spp., a well-de fi ned insect genus of the white fl y family Aleyrodidae (Arthropoda: Hemiptera). Dif fi culties within the taxonomy of the genus give doubt about the ability to accurately identify some members to species level. Nevertheless, the genus is thought to currently include about ninety species mainly reported from tropical and subtropical areas. The genus is listed in Council Directive 2000/29/EC and is regulated on Citrus, Fortunella and Poncirus . Several Aleurocanthu s species are highly polyphagous; Aleurocanthu s spiniferus has hosts in 38 plant families; Aleurocanthu s woglumi has more than 300 hosts including Pyrus , Rosa and Vitis vinifera as well as Citrus . A. spiniferus is present in the EU in restricted areas of Italy and Greece, where it is under of fi cial control. No other Aleurocanthus spp. are known to occur in the EU. Host plants for planting, excluding seeds, and cut fl owers or branches are the main pathways for entry. Outside of the EU, the genus can be found in regions that have climate types which also occur within the EU, suggesting establishment is possible. Aleurocanthus spp. can be signi fi cant pests of crops that are also grown in the EU. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry into the EU, e.g. sourcing host plants for planting from pest free areas. As a genus Aleurocanthus does satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess and required by risk managers to give it consideration as a Union quarantine pest. Aleurocanthus does not meet all of the criteria to allow it consideration by risk managers as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP). Speci fi cally, Aleurocanthus is not widespread in the EU

Risk assessment of the entry of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii on maize seed imported by the EU from the USA.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a risk assessment of the entry of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii on maize seed imported by the EU from the USA. This pest is a Gram-negative bacterium which causes Stewart’s vascular wilt and leaf blight of maize (including sweet corn), a disease responsible for serious crop losses throughout the world. The following scenarios were considered: scenario A0 (current practice), scenario A1 (US request for modification of EU conditions for derogation), and scenario A2 (EU conditions for derogation). Results from the quantitative seed pathway model presented here show that, despite the low rates of plant-to-seed and seed-toseedling transmission that have been reported in the literature for Stewart’s wilt, given the amount of traded seed, and in the case of voluntary (i.e. not mandatory) inspections of seed production fields at the origin (i.e. scenario A0), the frequency of introducing the disease is in the order of magnitude of some hundred introductions per year (median number). The EU conditions for derogation would lead to a decrease in the likelihood of entry compared to scenarios A0 (about 10,000 times fewer introductions) and A1 (about 2,000 times fewer introductions). This protective effect is mainly due to the requirement that only genotypes resistant to Stewart’s wilt are traded, with the additional field inspection (two instead of one per season) providing additional reassurance. The Panel also concluded that seed lot inspections, as currently carried out (e.g. with a sample of 400 seeds) are not likely to lead to a relevant reduction in the level of infected imported maize seed, given the low prevalence of Stewart’s wilt at the origin. If, however, there is aggregation in infection among consignments, inspection would work towards identifying the highly infected consignments. Recently, outbreaks of Stewart’s wilt have occurred in Italy (Emilia Romagna, Friuli, Lombardy and Veneto). A review is provided of the available information to assess the possible role of seed imports in these outbreaks

Pest categorisation of Scaphoideus luteolus

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Scaphoideus luteolus, a well-defined phloem sap-feeding insect species in the family Cicadellidae (Insecta: Hemiptera). It can be identified using taxonomic keys. S. luteolus is only present in the eastern part of the USA. The main host plants of S. luteolus are species of the genus Ulmus (U. americana, U. alata, U. bergmanianna, U. szechuanica, U. rubra), but specimens have also been collected on Vitis sp., Salix sp. and Populus sp. The species does not cause damage by itself, but it is the only confirmed vector of the phytoplasma Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi (CPu), which is present in North America where it causes heavy damage to the local elms, as well as in some European countries where the local elms are considered less susceptible. S. luteolus has three developmental stages (egg, nymph, adult). It overwinters in the egg stage, takes 36–42 days to complete nymphal stage, and adults are found throughout the summer period. Both nymphs and adults are capable of transmitting CPu and, after acquiring the pathogen, remain infective for the rest of their life. The main pathways are cut branches and plants for planting. These pathways are not regulated for the main host, Ulmus, though requirements are in place in relation to other pests on Ulmus. These pathways are also not regulated for Salix. Establishment would be favoured by the wide coverage of Ulmus spp. in the EU territory and by climatic conditions comparable to those of the pest’s native range. S. luteolus meets all the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential Union quarantine pest. The criteria for considering it as a potential Union regulated non-quarantine pest are not met since the species is absent from the EU

Pest categorisation of Stagonosporopsis andigena.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Stagonosporopsis andigena, the causal agent of black blight of potato, for the EU. The pest is a well-defined fungal species and reliable methods exist for its detection and identification. S. andigena is present in Bolivia and Peru. The pest is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IAI of Directive 2000/29/EC as Phoma andina, meaning its introduction into the EU is prohibited. The major cultivated host is Solanum tuberosum (potato); other tuber-forming Solanum species and wild solanaceous plants are also affected. All hosts and pathways of entry of the pest into the EU are currently regulated. Host availability and climate matching suggest that S. andigena could establish in parts of the EU and further spread mainly by human-assisted means. The pest affects leaves, stems and petioles of potato plants causing lesions and premature leaf drop but not the underground parts, including tubers. The disease causes yield reductions up to 80%, depending on the susceptibility of potato cultivars. Early application of fungicide sprays and cultivation of resistant potato cultivars are the most effective measures for disease management. The pest introduction in the EU would potentially cause impacts to potato production. The main uncertainties concern the host range, the maximum period the pest survives on host debris in soil, the maximum distance over which conidia of the pest could be dispersed by wind-blown rain, and the magnitude of potential impacts to the EU. S. andigena meets all the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential Union quarantine pest. The criteria for considering S. andigena as a potential Union regulated non-quarantine pest are not met, since the pest is not known to occur in the EU

Pest categorisation of non-EU Acleris spp

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of non-EU Acleris spp. Acleris is a welldefined insect genus in the family Tortricidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera). Species can be identified using taxonomic keys based on adult morphology and genitalia. The genus includes 261 species attacking conifers and non-conifer plants in many areas in the world, among which 40 species are present in the EU. The non-EU species are collectively listed in Annex IAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC as Acleris spp. (non-European). Some species are important defoliators in North America, mainly on conifers but also on several broadleaf trees. Females lay eggs on the leaves or on the bark. The larvae bind together with silk the leaves upon which they feed. Pupation occurs in leaves attached with silk or in the soil. Some species are univoltine; others are bivoltine or multivoltine. Flight capacity is not documented, but outbreak expansion suggests that the adults can probably fly long distances. The main pathways for entry are host plants for planting with or without soil, cut branches, fruits of host plants (including cones), round wood with bark and bark. The presence of host plants and suitable EU climate would allow the establishment of the known non-EU harmful species. In the literature, nine non-EU Acleris species are reported as pests on various host plants, namely A. gloverana, A. variana, A. minuta, A. nishidai, A. issikii, A. semipurpurana, A. robinsoniana, A. senescens and A. nivisellana. These non-EU Acleris spp. satisfy all the criteria to be considered as Union quarantine pests. Concerning the other 212 non-EU Acleris species, there is scarce information on host plants, pests status and climatic suitability. Measures are in place to prevent the introduction of non-EU Acleris spp. through the pathways described in the document. As non-EU Acleris spp. are not present in the EU and plants for planting are not the major pathway for spread, non-EU Acleris spp. do not meet the criteria to be considered as regulated non-quarantine pests

Pest categorisation of Pseudopityophthorus minutissimus and P. pruinosus

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Pseudopityophthorus minutissimus and Pseudopityophthorus pruinosus, two well-defined insect species in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae (Insecta: Coleoptera). They can be identified using taxonomic keys. P. minutissimus is present in parts of Canada and the USA, and P. pruinosus is present in parts of the USA, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. The main host plants of the two species are Quercus spp., but they also attack several other genera. The two species mostly colonise weakened or dead branches but can also attack the stems. They are mostly secondary pests but they vector the oak wilt fungus, Bretziella fagacearum, which causes heavy damage in American Quercus spp. populations. The fungus is mainly transmitted by the young adults during their maturation feeding on twigs, leaf petioles and young acorn stems. The beetles are polygamous and have two generations per year in most of their range. The main pathways are wood, bark, plants for planting, cut branches, chips and wood waste. These pathways are fully or partly regulated for the genera Quercus, Castanea and Prunus. However, the pathways are not regulated for the following genera: Carpinus, Fagus, Hamamelis, Alnus. P. minutissimus and P. pruinosus meet all the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential Union quarantine pest. The criteria for considering P. minutissimus and P. pruinosus as potential Union regulated non-quarantine pests are not met since neither species are known to be present in the EU

Pest categorisation of Arrhenodes minutus

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Arrhenodes minutus, a well-defined wood-boring insect species in the family Brentidae (Insecta: Coleoptera). It can be identified using taxonomic keys. A. minutus is only present in southern Canada and eastern USA down to Florida. The main host plants of A. minutus are species of the genera Quercus, Ulmus, Fagus and Populus. The pest larvae bore galleries in the wood, causing structural damage to the timber. The pest is also a vector of the quarantine pest Breziella (Ceratocystis) fagacearum. A. minutus most often lays its eggs in wounded parts of the trees where sap is oozing. The female bores minute holes with her snout and deposits one egg in each of them. The larvae bore a straight gallery against the grain. When the gallery nearly reaches the other side of the bole, it makes a sharp U-turn towards the point of origin. These galleries cause structural damage to the timber. The life cycle lasts generally 3 years, but some individuals develop in 2 years and a few require 4 years. The main pathways are wood and possibly plants for planting. Specific phytosanitary requirements exist for Quercus and Populus only, while Ulmus is regulated in relation to other pests. Establishment would be favoured by the wide distribution of host trees in the EU territory and by climatic conditions locally comparable to those of the pest’s native range. A. minutus meets all the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential Union quarantine pest. The criteria for considering it as a potential Union regulated non-quarantine pest are not met since the species is absent from the EU