New data on quarantine pests and pests of the EPPO Alert List
By searching through the literature, the EPPO Secretariat has extracted the following new data concerning quarantine pests and pests included (or formerly included) on the EPPO Alert List, and indicated in bold the situation of the pest concerned using the terms of ISPM no. 8.
- New records
In Brazil, Grapevine Pinot gris virus (Trichovirus, GPGV) was detected for the first time in samples collected from several grapevine collections (largely based on material imported from other countries during the last 25 years). It was also shown that GPGV isolates from Brazil showed a low genetic variability. Further studies should be performed to better determine the incidence and the prevalence of this virus in Brazilian commercial vineyards (Fajardo et al., 2017). Present, no details.
In Costa Rica, Iris yellow spot virus (Tospovirus, IYSV – formerly EPPO Alert List) was detected for the first time in 2013 on onion (Allium cepa) crops. In 2013 and 2014, several onion crops in 2 provinces (Cartago and San José) showed straw-coloured and elongated leaf lesions, as well as tip dieback and extensive drying of leaves. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of IYSV (Montero-Astúa et al., 2017). Present, only in some areas (Cartago and San José provinces).
In Madagascar, Meloidogyne graminicola (EPPO Alert List) was found for the first time in 3 different sites during a survey conducted in rice (Oryza sativa) fields from October to November 2014 (Chapuis et al., 2016). Present, only in some areas (3 sites).
In Argentina, peach (Prunus persica) trees showing leaf chlorosis, curling and mid-rib thickening were observed during the 2015 growing season in orchards located in Tres Porteñas, San Martín and Tupungato (Mendoza province). Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of a strain of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ (EPPO A2 List). This is the first time that this phytoplasma is reported from Argentina (Fernández et al., 2017). Present, only in some areas (on peach in Mendoza province).
The red palm mite, Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae – formerly EPPO Alert List), is reported for the first time from Guatemala. In 2017, it was found in the departments of Petén and Izabal infesting Cocos nucifera, Adonidia merrillii and Phoenix roebelenii (Ochaeta, 2017). Present, only in some areas (departments of Petén and Izabal).
- Detailed records
In Hungary, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae – formerly EPPO Alert List) was first recorded in 2013 in Budapest (EPPO RS 2014/046). In 2015, the pest was found in other locations (Budakalász and Martonvásár) near Budapest. As a result of a public survey initiated in autumn 2016, the pest was reported to occur in additional sites in various parts of Hungary. However, large populations were only recorded in Budapest and its surroundings and in Pécs (Southern Hungary). In 2016, a study was conducted at the experimental and research farm of the Szent István University of Budapest to assess the impact of H. halys on untreated plots of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) for dry production and pepper (Capsicum annuum). Results showed that 94% of the bean seeds and 100% of the capsicum fruits were damaged by H. halys (Vétek and Korányi, 2017).
A recent taxonomic study confirms the presence of Naupactus xanthographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae - EPPO Alert List) in Brazil and Paraguay. This study included several specimens which had been collected from the Brazilian states of Río Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, as well as from the departments of Itapúa and Paraguarí in Paraguay. In this study, it is also mentioned that one of the main native hosts of N. xanthographus is Erythrina crista-galli, and that the distribution of the weevil approximately matches the range of this host plant, which has been introduced in Central Chile and Southeastern USA as an ornamental (Lanteri and del Río, 2017).
- Taxonomy
It has recently been proposed that the phytoplasma associated with a witches’ broom disease of loofah (Luffa cylindrica = L. aegyptica) in Taiwan should be considered as a new and distinct taxon, and called ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma luffae’ (Davis et al., 2017).
Sources
Chapuis E, Besnard G, Andrianasetra S, Rakotomalala M, Nguyen HT, Bellafiore S (2016) First report of the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) in Madagascar rice fields. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 11(32). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13314-016-0222-5
Davis R, Zhao Y, Wei W, Dally E, Lee I (2017) ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma luffae’, a novel taxon associated with witches’ broom disease of loofah, Luffa aegyptica Mill. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 67, 3127-3133. DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001980 (via PestLens).
Fajardo TVM, Eiras M, Nickel O (2017) First report of Grapevine Pinot gris virus infecting grapevine in Brazil. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 12(45). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13314-017-0270-5
Fernández FD, Marini D, Farrando R, Conci L R (2017) First report of a ‘Candidatus phytoplasma pyri’ strain in Argentina. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 12(8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13314-017-0228-7
Lanteri AA, del Río MG (2017) Naupactus xanthographus (Germar) species group (Curculionidae: Entiminae: Naupactini): a comprehensive taxonomic treatment. Journal of Natural History 51, 27-28, 1557-1587.
Montero-Astúa M, Dejuk-Protti N, Vásquez E, Garita L, Moreira L (2017) First report of Iris yellow spot virus in Costa Rica. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 12(18). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13314-017-0243-8
Ochaeta JG (2018) Primer registro de Raoiella indica Hirst, 1924 (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) en Guatemala. Insecta Mundi 0607, 1-3 (via PestLens).
Vétek G, Korányi, D (2017) Severe damage to vegetables by the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Hungary. Periodicum Biologorum 119(2), 131-135.