Update of the situation of Scirtothrips aurantii in Spain
The South African citrus thrips Scirtothrips aurantii (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A1 List) was first reported in the EPPO region in Spain in Andalucía (province of Huelva) in September 2020 (EPPO RS 2021/008, RS 2022/084) and eradication measures have been applied. The NPPO of Spain recently informed the EPPO Secretariat that S. aurantii has been detected in several plots located in several municipalities of Alicante and Valencia provinces, in the Autonomous Region of Comunidad Valenciana.
During May and June 2024, thrips damage was observed in fruits of persimmon (Diospyros kaki), pomegranate (Punica granatum), citrus (Citrus reticulata, Citrus x aurantium var. clementina, Citrus x aurantium var. unshiu, Citrus x limon, Citrus x aurantium var. sinensis, Citrus x aurantium var. paradisi) and table grape (Vitis vinifera). The affected plots were inspected, and samples were taken. The identification of S. aurantii was carried out by two official laboratories and the presence of the pest was confirmed in pomegranate (4 plots), citrus (15 plots), table grape (1 plot) and persimmon (3 plots) crops from Albatera, Benferri, Callosa de Segura, Orihuela, Elche and Crevillente (Alicante) and Alzira, Cotes, La Alcudia, Sellent, Benifairó de la Valldigna, Simat de la Valldigna and Tavernes de la Valldigna (Valencia). Demarcated areas have been established (including buffer zones of 100 m surrounding the infested areas) and eradication phytosanitary measures will be taken. In total, the infested area in Alicante and Valencia provinces covers 20.57 ha.
The pest status of Scirtothrips aurantii in Spain is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2024-06).