44 research outputs found
A New Resource for Research and Risk Analysis: The Updated European Food Safety Authority Database of Xylella spp. Host Plant Species.
Following a series of requests for scientific advice from the European Commission starting in 2013, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted a pest risk assessment and created a comprehensive Xylella fastidiosa host plant database. The last update of the database, published in September 2018, includes information on host plants of both X. fastidiosa and X. taiwanensis, together with details on botanical classification, infection conditions, geographic location, pathogen taxonomy including information on subspecies, strain and sequence type, detection techniques, and tolerant/resistant response of the plant. This updated database of host plants of Xylella spp. reported worldwide provides a key tool for risk management, risk assessment, and research on this generalist bacterial plant pathogen
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 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 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
Pest categorisation of Exomala orientalis
The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Exomala orientalis (Coleoptera:
Rutelidae) (Oriental beetle) for the EU. Larvae feed on the roots of a variety of hosts including most
grasses and many vegetable crops. Maize, pineapples, sugarcane are among the main host plants.
Larvae are particularly damaging to turfgrass and golf courses. The adults feed on flowers and other
soft plant tissues (e.g. Alcea rosea, Dahlia, Iris, Phlox and Rosa). Eggs are laid in the soil. Larvae feed
on host roots and overwinter in the soil. Adults emerge from pupae in the soil in May-June and are
present for about 2 months. E. orientalis usually completes its life cycle in 1 year although individuals
can spend two winters as larvae. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 (Annex IIA)
regulates E. orientalis. The legislation also regulates the import of soil attached to plants for planting
from third countries; therefore, entry of E. orientalis eggs, larvae and pupae is prevented. E. orientalis
is native to Japan or the Philippine islands. It is also found in East Asia and India, Hawaii and northeastern USA. It is assumed to have reached USA via infested nursery stock. Plants for planting
(excluding seeds) and cut flowers provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. E. orientalis has
been intercepted only once in the EU, on Ilex crenata bonsai. Climatic conditions and the availability of
host plants provide conditions to support establishment in the EU. Impacts on maize, grassland and
turfgrass would be possible. There is uncertainty on the extent of the impact on host plants which are
widely commercially grown (e.g. maize) Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood
of entry. E. orientalis satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be
regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. Of the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to
assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union regulated non-quarantine pest, E. orientalis does not
meet the criterion of occurring in the EU
Pest categorisation of Haplaxius crudus
The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the planthopper Haplaxius crudus
(Hemiptera: Cixiidae) for the EU. This species occurs from south-eastern USA to Northern Brazil and on
many Caribbean islands. Adults oviposit on grasses, mostly Poaceae and Cyperaceae in the vicinity of
palms (Arecaceae). The pest can also be found on plants of the families Arecaceae, Heliconiaceae,
Pandanaceae and Verbenaceae. Preimaginal development takes place on the roots of grasses, where
nymphs feed. Upon emergence, adults move to palms for feeding and return to grasses for oviposition.
H. crudus is regulated in Annex IIA of Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2072 as Myndus
crudus, a junior synonym. This species is a competent vector of Candidatus Phytoplasma palmae, the
causal agent of coconut lethal yellowing, a disease also regulated in Annex IIA of the same regulation.
Within this regulation, potential entry pathways for H. crudus, such as Arecaceae and Poaceae plants for
planting with foliage and soil/growing medium, and soil/growing media by themselves can be considered
as closed. However, plants for planting of the families Cyperaceae, Heliconiaceae, Pandanaceae and
Verbenaceae are not specifically regulated. Should H. crudus arrive in the EU, climatic conditions and
availability of susceptible hosts in a small area in southern EU (e.g. eastern Cyprus and south-western
Spain) may provide conditions for limited establishment, and further spread to neighbouring areas in the
Mediterranean basin during summer months. Economic impact is anticipated only if Candidatus
Phytoplasma palmae is also introduced into the EU. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the
likelihood of entry. H. crudus satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this
species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. This species does not meet the criteria of
being present in the EU and plants for planting being the main pathway for spread for it to be regarded
as a potential non-quarantine pest
Pest categorisation of Spodoptera eridania
The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera:
Noctuidae) for the European Union (EU). S. eridania (southern armyworm) is a highly polyphagous
pest native to the Americas which has spread to Africa being first reported there in 2016. There are
multiple generations per year. Although it can endure short freezing periods, prolonged frosts are
lethal. Eggs are laid in batches on the leaves of host plants. Five to seven larval instars follow. Like
other armyworms, early instars are gregarious and cause leaf skeletonisation. Older instars disperse
and become more solitary and nocturnal. Larvae feed on field vegetables and can bore into tomato
fruit. They can eat apical portions of branches and can bore into stems and tubers if preferred foods
are scarce. Pupation takes place in the soil. S. eridania is regulated in the EU by Directive 2000/29/EC
(Annex IAI). Within this Directive, a prohibition of soil imported from countries where S. eridania
occurs, prevents the entry of S. eridania pupae. However, immature stages on plants (excluding
seeds), fruit and flowers provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. S. eridania adults have been
intercepted in the EU as hitchhikers. Climatic conditions and the wide availability of host plants provide
conditions to support establishment in frost-free regions of the EU. It could spread more widely
forming transient populations during summer months. Impacts on field vegetables and ornamentals
would be possible. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. S. eridania
satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential
Union quarantine pest. S. eridania does not meet the criteria of (a) occurring in the EU, and (b) plants
for planting being the principal means of spread for it to be regarded as a potential Union regulated
non-quarantine pest
Pest categorisation of the Andean Potato Weevil (APW) complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the species within the Andean Potato
Weevil (APW) complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for the EU. The complex consists of 14 species, 12
belong to the genus Premnotrypes, plus Phyrdenus muriceus and Rhigopsidius tucumanus. These
weevils co-occur in the Andean region, usually above 2,100 m. Eggs are deposited in plant debris close to
potato plants. Upon hatching larvae immediately bore into potato tubers where they complete
development. Except for R. tucumanus, which pupates inside the tuber, mature larvae leave the tuber
and pupate in the soil. Adults can survive feeding on different plants but cannot deposit fertile eggs
unless fed on potato foliage. P. muriceus can also complete development feeding on tomato and
eggplant roots and occurs at lower altitudes from southern USA to central Argentina. Within the APW
complex only species in the genus Premnotrypes are regulated in Annex IIA of Commission
Implementing Regulation 2019/2072 as Premnotrypes spp. (non-EU). Within this regulation potential
pathways, such as solanaceous plants for planting with foliage and growing medium, seed and ware
potatoes, and soil, can be considered as closed. There are no records of interception of any of these
weevils in EUROPHYT. Should these species be introduced into the EU, climatic conditions and wide
availability of potato crops in the EU territory would provide conditions for establishment, spread and
economic impact. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. The species
within the APW complex satisfy with no uncertainties the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to
assess, for them to be regarded as potential Union quarantine pests. Although human-assisted
movement of seed potatoes is considered the main mechanism for spread of these species, these weevils
do not meet the criterion of occurring in the EU for them to be regarded as potential Union regulated
non-quarantine pests
Pest categorisation of Ripersiella hibisci
The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Ripersiella hibisci (Hemiptera: Rhizoecidae) for the EU. R. hibisci occurs in Japan, China and Taiwan and has spread to the USA: Florida, Hawaii and the territory of Puerto Rico. R. hibisci is a polyphagous mealybug recorded feeding on roots of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. Root damage reduces nutrient and water uptake, retards plant growth and may cause leaves to wilt or discolour, heavily infested plants can die. Literature most commonly refers to damage to greenhouse grown potted ornamentals such as Cuphea, Hibiscus, Pelargonium and Phoenix. All life stages occur in the soil and host plants for planting with growing media provide a pathway for eggs, nymphs and adults. Multiple overlapping generations occur in greenhouses each year. R. hibisci is listed in Annex IIA of EU Regulation 2016/2031, appearing with the synonym Rhizoecus hibisci. All plants for planting from third countries are regulated. The import of soil or growing medium attached to plants for planting from third countries (other than Switzerland) is prohibited and therefore reduces the likelihood, but does not prevent entry of R. hibisci, as individuals may remain attached to the roots. There have been interceptions of R. hibisci in the EU, usually on artificially dwarfed plants, i.e. bonsai/penjing. Findings in EU greenhouses have been eradicated. R. hibisci would be able to establish in the EU, greenhouse potted plant production would be most affected. Phytosanitary measures are available to lower the likelihood of introduction. R. hibisci satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. R. hibisci does not meet the criterion of occurring in the EU for it to be regarded as a potential Union regulated non‐quarantine pest