First report of Scirtothrips dorsalis in Portugal
The NPPO of Portugal recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae – EPPO A2 List) on its territory.
As a result of the official survey program carried out in 2024, the presence of S. dorsalis was detected, and subsequently confirmed by laboratory analysis, in 6 locations (private gardens and public sites) throughout the Algarve region (municipalities of Alcoutim e Pereiro, Budens Guia, São Gonçalo de Lago, Vila Real de Santo António, and Vila do Bispo e Raposeira) in September 2024. The host species found to be infested were Myoporum sp.* and Citrus x limon.
Demarcated areas related to these findings have been established and official phytosanitary measures are taken in the demarcated areas in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031. They include phytosanitary treatments, destruction of the infested plant parts, prohibition of movement of plant material (except fruit and seeds) out of the infested zone, as well as intensive monitoring in the buffer zones.
The pest status of Scirtothrips dorsalis in Portugal is officially declared as: Present, under eradication, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
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* New host plant.
Sources
NPPO of Portugal (2024-10).