First report of Pseudacysta perseae in Madeira (PT): addition to the EPPO Alert List
The NPPO of Portugal recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Pseudacysta perseae (Hemiptera: Tingidae – avocado lace bug) on the Island of Madeira. In October 2014, the pest was found on avocado trees (Persea americana) in commercial orchards and on scattered trees in private gardens. Medium to severe infestations were observed in the municipalities of Funchal, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, Calheta and Porto Moniz. These outbreaks were communicated by the official regional services of Madeira Island after the identification of adults and nymphs was performed by the regional laboratory of entomology. Official control measures were taken against the pest. Chemical control methods are under evaluation in order to be applied during the next growing season and a survey is being carried out in the other municipalities of Madeira where avocado trees are present.
The situation of Pseudacysta perseae in Portugal can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2014 on the Island of Madeira (absent from the mainland), under official control.
Pseudacysta perseae (Hemiptera: Tingidae) – Avocado lace bug
Why: The presence of the avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta perseae, was first reported in 2014 on the island of Madeira (Portugal). Until the 1990s, P. perseae was considered to be a minor pest of avocado and its geographical distribution was limited to Florida (US) and Mexico. However, during the last 10 years, P. perseae has spread within the USA and around the Caribbean Basin, and severe damage to avocado crops has been reported in some of the newly invaded areas. As P. perseae might present a threat to the avocado production in the Euro-Mediterranean region, the EPPO Secretariat has decided to add it on the EPPO Alert List.
Where: since the 1990s, P. perseae has been spreading in the Americas, showing an invasive behaviour. Its presence was first noticed on the Island of Madeira (PT) in 2014.
EPPO region: Portugal (Madeira only).
North America: Mexico, USA (California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas).
Central America and the Caribbean: Bermuda, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Virgin Islands (US).
South America: French Guiana, Venezuela.
On which plants: the main cultivated host plant is avocado (Persea americana), but P. borbonica and Cinnamomum camphora (all Lauraceae) are also recorded as hosts.
Damage: Adults and nymphs feed in colonies on the undersides of leaves. On avocado, feeding damage results in necrotic brown spots which can lead to defoliation and reduced fruit yield (but no direct damage to fruit is reported). Highly infested trees present a scorched leaf appearance. Where a colony of P. perseae is present, the lower surface of the leaves is more or less thickly covered by a dark, sticky secretion from the insects. In newly invaded areas, severe defoliation and reduced yield have been reported in commercial avocado orchards. Experimental evidence has shown that avocado cultivars vary in their susceptibility to feeding damage. The ‘Hass’ avocado which is widely grown, is susceptible to the insect (e.g. severe outbreaks have observed on this crop in the Dominican Republic). On trees which are planted for amenity purposes in urban areas, the presence of P. perseae can disfigure trees. In the USA, it is considered to be a potential threat to ornamental plantations in urban areas.
Dissemination: no information is available on the potential of P. perseae for natural spread (adults can fly and be transported by wind). Over long distances, human activities (agricultural trade, transport) probably play a key role in the insect spread. As the insect does not feed on fruit, avocado fruit are not likely to be a pathway.
Pathway: Plants for planting of avocado and other hosts from countries where P. perseae occurs, hitchhiking?
Possible risks: Avocado is not widely grown in the EPPO region but is of economic importance at least in Israel and Spain. Studies would be needed to evaluate the potential of establishment of P. perseae in the EPPO region, as for the moment the pest is mostly reported from sub-tropical countries. In addition, damage is mainly reported from subtropical countries and apparently not from areas with a more Mediterranean-type of climate such as California. Chemical control methods are available and biological control agents (e.g. the predators Frankliniella vespiformis, Chrysoperla rufilabris) might also have an impact on pest populations. However, as integrated pest management is conducted in many avocado orchards, the introduction of any new pest is likely to pose problems. As for the moment P. perseae has only been found in Madeira, it seems desirable to avoid its further spread within the EPPO region.
Sources
INTERNET
- University of Florida (US). Featured Creatures. Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Tingidae). Avocado lace bug. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/fruit/avocado_lace_bug.htm
- Hoddle M, Morse J, Stouthamer R (2007) Pseudacysta perseae. Biology and management of avocado lace bug in California. Production Research Report, California Avocado Commission (US). http://www.californiaavocadogrowers.com/sites/default/files/documents/Biology
Etienne J, Streito JC (2008) Premier signalement en Guadeloupe et en Martinique de Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann, 1908), un ravageur de l’avocatier (Hemiptera, Tingidae). Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France 113(1), 121-122.
NPPO of Portugal (2014-11).
Rugman-Jones PF, Hoddle MS, Phillips PA, Jeong GS, Stouthamer R (2012) Strong genetic structure among populations of the invasive avocado pest Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) reveals the source of introduced populations. Biological Invasions 14(6), 1079-1100.
Sandoval Cabrera MF, Cermeli M (2005) Presencia de Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann, 1908) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Tingidae) en Venezuela. Entomotropica 20(3), 271-273.
Streito JC, Morival Y (2005) Première capture en Guyane française de Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann, 1908) un ravageur de l’avocatier (Heteroptera, Tingidae). Nouvelle Revue d’Entomologie (NS) 22(2), 191-192.