Two new quarantine pests of avocado introduced to Israel
The NPPO of Israel (PPIS) hereby informs the EPPO Secretariat of the presence of two new arthropod pests of avocado (Persea americana) in the Western Galilee (north of the country). In October 2001, the persea mite Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker & Abbatiello (Acari: Tetranychidae) together with the red-banded whitefly Tetraleurodes perseae Nakahara (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) were found in several avocado groves. These pests, known to cause damage on avocado in California where they apparently originated from Mexico, were most likely introduced to Israel simultaneously on contraband avocado budwood from an unknown source. Upon discovery of the pests, PPIS delimited the area of infestation and, by government Order, restricted movement of avocado plant material from the regulated area, contingent upon official inspection and treatment. The status of both pests in Israel can be described as: Quarantine pests: distribution limited (to one region) and subject to official control.
Sources
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NPPO of Israel, 2003-03.
Swirski E, Wysoki M & Izhar Y, 2002. Subtropical Fruits Pests in Israel, Fruit Board of Israel, 284 pp.
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