Thaumatotibia leucotreta does not occur in Morocco
In November 2023 the EU reported the interception of a consignment of pomegranates (Punica granatum) from Morocco infested by Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae – EPPO A2 List).
T. leucotreta is a quarantine pest for Morocco and is not known to occur in Morocco. Measures are applied to prevent its introduction from countries where the pest occurs.
The NPPO of Morocco carried out investigations on the shipment concerned and conducted a survey in the production site from where the consignment originated, including laboratory analysis. T. leucotreta was not found. However larvae of a native pest, Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), were found.
The NPPO of Morocco also underlined that large quantities of pomegranate fruits, and other host fruits of T. leucotreta, are exported every year from Morocco and the pest has never been detected in consignments at export or by importing countries.
The pest status of Thaumatotibia leucotreta in Morocco is officially declared as: Absent: pest not recorded.
Sources
NPPO of Morocco (2024-01).
EU (2023-11) Interceptions of harmful organisms in imported plants and other objects https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants/plant-health-and-biosecurity/europhyt/interceptions_en