Pest categorisation of Ips sexdentatus

23The Panelon Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the six-toothed bark beetle, Ips sexdentatus (Borner) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), for the EU. I.sexdentatus is a well-defined and distinguishable species, native to Eurasia and recognised mainly as a pest of pine (Pinus spp., in the pest's whole range) and spruce (mainly Picea orientalis in Turkey and Georgia). It also might occasionally attack Larix spp. and Abies spp. It is distributed throughout the EU (24 Member States). It is a protected zone quarantine pest in Ireland, Cyprus and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland, Isle of Man), listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Wood, wood products, bark and wood packaging material are considered as pathways for this pest, which is also able to disperse by flight over tens of kilometres. The adults normally establish on fallen or weakened trees (e.g. after a fire or a drought) and can also mass-attack healthy trees. The males produce aggregation pheromones that attract conspecifics of both sexes. The insects also inoculate pathogenic fungi to their hosts. There are one to five generations per year. The wide current geographical range of I.sexdentatus suggests that it is able to establish anywhere in the EU where its hosts are present. Sanitary thinning or clear-felling are the major control methods. Pheromone mass-trapping is also locally implemented. Quarantine measures are implemented to prevent entry into the protected zones. All criteria for consideration as potential protected zone quarantine pest are met. The criteria for considering I.sexdentatus as a potential regulated non-quarantine pest are not met since plants for planting are not viewed as a pathway.openopenJeger, Michael; Bragard, Claude; Caffier, David; Candresse, Thierry; Chatzivassiliou, Elisavet; Dehnen‐Schmutz, Katharina; Gilioli, Gianni; Jaques Miret, Josep Anton; MacLeod, Alan; Navajas Navarro, Maria; Niere, Björn; Parnell, Stephen; Potting, Roel; Rafoss, Trond; Rossi, Vittorio; Urek, Gregor; Van Bruggen, Ariena; Van der Werf, Wopke; West, Jonathan; Winter, Stephan; Kertész, Virág; Aukhojee, Mitesha; Grégoire, Jean‐ClaudeJeger, Michael; Bragard, Claude; Caffier, David; Candresse, Thierry; Chatzivassiliou, Elisavet; Dehnen‐schmutz, Katharina; Gilioli, Gianni; Jaques Miret, Josep Anton; Macleod, Alan; Navajas Navarro, Maria; Niere, Björn; Parnell, Stephen; Potting, Roel; Rafoss, Trond; Rossi, Vittorio; Urek, Gregor; Van Bruggen, Ariena; Van der Werf, Wopke; West, Jonathan; Winter, Stephan; Kertész, Virág; Aukhojee, Mitesha; Grégoire, Jean‐claud

Pest categorisation of Ips duplicatus

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the double-spined bark beetle,Ipsduplicatus(Sahlberg, 1836) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), for the EU.I. duplicatusis awell-defined and distinguishable species, native to Europe and attacking mainly spruce (Piceaspp.) butalso observed on pine (Pinusspp.) and larch (Larixspp.). It is distributed in 15 EU Member States and islocally spreading in some of them.I. duplicatusis listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC.Protected zones are in place in Ireland, Greece and the United Kingdom. Wood, wood products, bark,and wood packaging material are considered as pathways for this pest, which is also able to disperse byflight. The insects mostly attacks scattered individual standing trees in the stands, often when the treesare weakened by dry conditions or by pathogens, and they very rarely infest fallen or cut logs. Themales produce pheromones that attract conspecifics of both sexes. Each male attracts 1–5 females andthey establish a brood system; each female produces 1–60 offspring. The insects also inoculate theirhosts with pathogenic fungi. There are one to three generations per year. The current geographic rangeofI. duplicatussuggests that it is able to establish in most of the EU, including the protected zones,where its hosts are present. Sanitary thinning or clear-felling and pheromone trapping are the usualcontrol methods. All criteria for consideration as potential protected zone quarantine pest are met. Thecriteria for consideringI. duplicatusas a potential regulated non-quarantine pest are not met sinceplants for planting are not viewed as a pathwa

Pest categorisation of Oligonychus perditus

The Panelon Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the spider mite Oligonychus perditus Pritchard and Baker () (Acari, Tetranychidae), for the EU. O.perditus is a well-defined and distinguishable species, native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and recognised mainly as a pest of Juniperus spp., Chamaecyparis spp. and Platycladus spp. It is absent from the EU and is listed in Annex IIAI of Directive 2000/29/EC. Its host plants, Juniperus spp. and Chamaecyparis spp., are also listed in Annex III of Directive 2000/29/EC. Plants for planting, cut flowers and branches are considered as pathways for this pest, which is also able to disperse naturally with the wind, over rather short distances. O.perditus has repeatedly been intercepted in the EU but does not appear to have established, although a small population of O.perditus survived 8years on a single imported plant in the Netherlands. As the host range of O.perditus coincides with that of the closely related cosmopolitan Oligonychus ununguis, which occurs in the EU, it is quite likely that the presence of O.perditus in the EU would cause little additional damage. Cultural control (sanitation and destruction of infested material) and chemical control (acaricides, e.g. abamectin) are the major control methods. All criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met, though there are some uncertainties regarding impacts. The species is presently absent from the EU, and thus, the criteria for consideration as a potential regulated non-quarantine pest are not met

Pest categorisation of Gilpinia hercyniae

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the Diprionid sawfly,Gilpinia hercyniaeHartig (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), for the EU.G. hercyniaeis a well-defined and distinguishablespecies, native to Europe but also present in North America, Japan, Mongolia, Korea and Pakistan, andrecognised as a pest of spruce (Piceaspp.). The pest is distributed in 19 Member States (MSs) of theEU. It is a quarantine pest listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Protected zones are inplace in Greece, Ireland and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Jersey). Plants forplanting ofPiceaspp. and soil and litter associated withPiceaspp. are considered as pathways for thispest, which is also able to disperse byflight. The prepupae overwinter inside cocoons in the litter or inthe foliage. In spring, the adults, mostly females emerge and lay 35–60 eggs per female in matureneedles. The larvae feed on the mature needles throughfive instars. There are 1–3 generations peryear; some of the prepupae undergo prolonged diapause for more than 1 year. The impact onPicea abies(=excelsa) is minimal, because only the needles of the previous years are attacked;however, outbreaks have occurred on non-native spruce,Picea glaucaandPicea sitchensis.The pest iscontrolled everywhere by natural enemies, including nuclear polyedrosis viruses. The insects spread onplants for planting ofPiceaspp., with soil and litter associated withPiceaspp., and byflight. The EUprotected zones have a similar climate and similar host plants as the MS whereG. hercyniaeisestablished. All criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential protected zone quarantine pestand as a potential regulated non-quarantine pest were met

Pest categorisation of Ips amitinus

The Panelon Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the small spruce bark beetle, Ipsamitinus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), for the EU. I.amitinus is a well-defined and distinguishable species, native to Europe and attacking mainly spruce (Picea spp.) and pine (Pinus spp.) and sporadically fir (Abies spp.) and larch (Larix spp.). It is distributed in 16 EU Member States and is locally spreading in some. The pest is listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Protected zones are in place in Ireland, Greece and the United Kingdom. Wood, wood products, bark and wood packaging material are considered as pathways for this pest, which is also able to disperse by flight over tens of kilometres. The insects normally establish on fallen or weakened trees (e.g. after a fire or a drought) but can also occasionally mass-attack healthy trees, when population densities are high. The males produce pheromones that attract conspecifics of both sexes. Each male attracts one to seven females to establish a brood system; each female produces 1-60 offspring. The insects also inoculate their hosts with pathogenic fungi. There are one or two generations per year. The wide current geographic range of I.amitinus suggests that it is able to establish in most areas in the EU, including the protected zones, where its hosts are present. The damage due to I.amitinus is limited and usually does not require control. Sanitary thinning or clear-felling is the usual control methods, when necessary. Quarantine measures are implemented to prevent entry in protected zones. All criteria for consideration as a potential protected zone quarantine pest are met. The criteria for considering I.amitinus as a potential regulated non-quarantine pest are not met since plants for planting are not viewed as a pathway

Pest categorisation of Cephalcia lariciphila

The Panel on Plant health performed a pest categorisation of the larch web‐spinning sawfly Cephalcia lariciphila (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae) for the EU. The insect has been reported in 11 EU Member States (MSs). It is a quarantine pest listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Protected zones are in place in Ireland and the UK (Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Jersey). C. lariciphila can feed on all species of the genus Larix. There have been reported outbreaks in the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK (England and Wales) in plantations of European larch (Larix decidua) and Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi = Larix leptolepis). C. lariciphila is absent in the protected zones. The pest can enter the protected zones by human‐assisted spread or by natural spread from EU areas where the pest is present. Plants for planting are considered the most important pathway for the pest. The pest can establish in the protected zones because the climatic conditions are similar to those of the 11 MSs where C. lariciphila is established, and the pest's main host plants are present. The prepupae overwinter in the litter, the adults emerge during May–June, and each female lays 30–40 eggs in slits in mature needles. The larvae feed on the needles through four instars. There is one generation per year; some of the prepupae undergo prolonged diapause for more than 1 year. The impact where the pest occurs is mainly related to the loss of tree growth following defoliation, while tree mortality was locally observed only after repeated defoliation. However, impact is likely to be mitigated by local biological control agents. All criteria assessed by EFSA above for consideration as a potential protected zone quarantine pest and as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest were met

Pest categorisation of Ips typographus

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), for the EU. I. typographus is a well-defined and distinguishable species, recognised mainly as a pest of spruce (Picea spp.) in Eurasia. It also attacks other conifers such as Abies spp., Larix spp., Pinus spp. and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Native to Eurasia, I. typographus has spread from the native range of spruce to new areas in Eurasia where spruce has been planted, and is now widely distributed throughout the EU (22 Member states). It is a quarantine pest listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC for Ireland and United Kingdom as protected zones. Coniferous wood, bark and wood packaging material are considered as pathways for the pest, which is also able to disperse by flight over tens of kilometres. The insects normally establish on fallen trees but can also mass-attack healthy trees, killing millions of spruces. The males produce pheromones that attract conspecifics of both sexes. Each male attracts one to four females; each female produces 2–80 offspring. The insects also inoculate pathogenic fungi to their hosts. There are one to three generations per year. The wide current geographic range of I. typographus suggests that it is able to establish anywhere in the EU where its hosts are present. Sanitary thinning or clear-felling are the major control methods. Pheromone mass trapping is presently judged unreliable because of the large dispersal capacity of the pest. Quarantine measures are implemented to prevent entry in yet uncolonised areas. All criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential protected zone quarantine pest are met. The criteria for considering I. typographus as a potential regulated nonquarantine pest are not met since plants for planting are not a pathway

Pest categorisation of Hishimonus phycitis

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Hishimonus phycitis (Hemiptera:Cicadellidae) for the EU. H. phycitis is a well-defined species, occurring in tropical and subtropical Asian countries from Iran to Malaysia. H. phycitis is polyphagous. Hosts of particular relevance to the EU include Citrus spp. and Solanum melongena. While harmful in its own right as a leafhopper extracting host nutrients through feeding, it is regarded in the Middle East more significantly as a vector of Witches’ broom disease of lime phytoplasma, which limits production of Citrus aurantifolia, and in India as a vector of brinjal little-leaf phytoplasma impacting S. melongena yields. H. phycitis is currently regulated by Council Directive 2000/29/EC, listed in Annex II/AI as Hishomonus phycitis (sic). Eggs planted on host plants for planting could provide a pathway for entry into the EU. The EU has ecoclimatic conditions that are also found in countries where H. phycitis occurs although it is unknown whether H. phycitis occurs in those areas. There is therefore considerable uncertainty around EU establishment. Any establishment is likely to be limited to the warmest areas around the Mediterranean. As a free-living organism with adults capable of flight, spread within the EU would be possible but confined to the limited area where establishment could occur. Measures are available to inhibit entry via traded commodities (e.g. prohibition on the introduction of Citrus plants for planting; sourcing other hosts from pest free areas). H. phycitis does satisfy all of the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess to be regarded as a Union quarantine pest. It is uncertain if eggs of H. phycitis would carry phytoplasmas into the EU as transovarial transmission from infected females to eggs has not been demonstrated

Pest categorisation of Anthonomus signatus

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the strawberry bud weevil, Anthonomus signatus Say, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), for the EU. A. signatus is a well-defined and distinguishable species, recognised as a pest of strawberry (Fragaria) fruit production in eastern North America where it is also a pest of Rubus. There are reports of A. signatus associated with non-rosaceous plants such as Mentha, Nepeta, Rhododendron and Solidago although whether such plants are true hosts is uncertain. This pest categorisation focuses on Fragaria and Rubus as hosts. Anthonomus signatus is not known to occur in the EU. It is listed in Annex IIAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. The international trade in Fragaria and Rubus plants for planting provides a potential pathway to introduce A. signatus from North America. Considering climatic similarities between North America and the EU, the thermal biology of A. signatus and host distribution in the EU, A. signatus has the potential to establish within the EU. There would be one generation per year, as in North America. As a pest of field grown Fragaria and Rubus, A. signatus would not be expected to establish in EU glasshouses. In North America, adults clip developing buds, preventing fruit development and reducing yield. Losses are variable and depend on the cultivars attacked. Severe crop losses have been reported. However, some Fragaria cultivars can compensate the loss of buds, e.g. by increasing the weight of fruits developing on remaining buds. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of introduction of A. signatus from North America. All criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union quarantine pest are met. As A. signatus is not known to occur in the EU, this criterion assessed by EFSA to consider it as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest is not met