Incursion of Tetranychus agropyronus in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the presence of Tetranychus agropyronus (Acari: Tetranychidae) was detected in 2013 on a plant sample (Poaceae) originating from a quarantine compartment in a University greenhouse. Little information about this mite is available from the literature but T. agropyronus is known to occur in Northern China (at least in Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang) and to feed on Poaceae (Agropyron cristatum, Dactylus glomerata, Lolium perenne, Oryza sativa, Triticum aestivum, Zea mays). Moraceae (Morus spp.) are mentioned as hosts but this would need to be confirmed.
Following this finding in the Netherlands, an official inspection of the glasshouse compartment concerned and of all other compartments where Poaceae were grown was conducted, but it did not detect T. agropyronus. The origin of this incursion remains unknown. The grasses from which the sample had been collected were destroyed. Because of the quarantine conditions under which the plants were grown, it is unlikely that the mite had escaped. No further measures are planned and T. agropyronus is considered eradicated from the Netherlands.
The pest status of Tetranychus agropyronus in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Absent, incidental finding, eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2014-04).
Quickscan on Tetranychus agropyronus (2013-12) http://www.vwa.nl/txmpub/files/?p_file_id=2204583