First report of Anastrepha grandis in Panama
The NPPO of Panama informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Anastrepha grandis (Diptera: Tephritidae – EU Annexes as ‘non-European Tephritidae’) on its territory. A. grandis is a pest of Cucurbitaceae which occurs in South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela). In Panama, A. grandis is listed as a quarantine pest and was not known to occur until recently. In May 2009, it was caught for the first time in sentinel traps placed in the province of Darién near the border with Colombia (where the pest occurs). Trapping studies showed that A. grandis occurs in the eastern part of the Province of Panamá (at Quebrada Cali in the district of Chepo) and in the Province of Darién (several locations in the districts of Chepigana and Pinogana). The NPPO of Panama stressed that the commercial cucurbit-growing areas (and in particular those for export) are located in the western part of the country and are still free from the pest. Trapping will be intensified and samples of potential host fruits, both wild and cultivated species, will be collected to delimit the area infested. Phytosanitary measures are being taken to contain the pest: chemical treatments are applied in the infested areas and movements of host fruits from infested areas to pest-free areas are prohibited.
The situation of Anastrepha grandis in Panama can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2009 in the eastern part (Darién and Panamá Provinces), under official control.
Sources
NPPO of Panama, 2009-06.