First report of Scirtothrips aurantii in Portugal
The NPPO of Portugal recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first report of the South African citrus thrips Scirtothrips aurantii (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A1 List) on its territory. As a result of official surveys carried out in 2022, S. aurantii was detected in Algarve and Alentejo regions. In both cases, official phytosanitary measures will be taken to eradicate the pest in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031. It can be recalled that in the EPPO region, T. aurantii was first recorded in Spain in September 2020 in the province of Huelva (Andalucia), in an area bordering the Algarve region where it is under eradication (EPPO RS 2022/084).
- In Algarve, S. aurantii was found in the municipality of Conceição e Cabanas de Tavira, in July 2022. The identification of the species was confirmed by the national reference laboratory, INIAV in December 2022. The pest was detected in a Myoporum sp. hedge around production tunnels for raspberry, avocado, blackberry, mango and pitaya fruits. Further surveys detected S. aurantii in 11 additional locations, in 7 municipalities of the Algarve region (Conceição e Estoi, Vila Nova de Cacela, Altura, Quelfes, Luz de Tavira e Santo Estêvão, Tavira, Castro Marim). The pest was detected in citrus orchards, on Malus domestica plants located in an official experimental centre (collection of varieties), and on Myoporum sp. hedges in private gardens/urban areas. Demarcated areas related to these findings will be established.
- In Alentejo, S. aurantii was detected in Vaccinium myrtillus plants located in the municipality of São Teotónio, in November 2022. The infested plants had been introduced from another EU Member State in October 2022. There is no connection between this finding and the one in Algarve.
The pest status of Scirtothrips aurantii in Portugal is officially declared as: Present, under eradication, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
Sources
NPPO of Portugal (2023-01).