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 8.
- New records
Amrasca biguttula (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is first reported from Niger. It is causing damage on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)and sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) (Zinsou et al., 2024). Present.
The grape leafhoppers Arboridia kakogawana (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae, formerly EPPO Alert List), Erasmoneura vulnerata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and Hishimonus hamatus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) are first recorded from Hungary (Schlitt et al., 2024). Present.
Erthesina fullo (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is reported for the first time from Greece. An adult and a nymph were found in October 2024 in Rio, in the Peloponnesus near the port of Patras, one of the largest Greek ports receiving cargo from China. E. fullo originates from Asia and presents some similarities with Halyomorpha halys in its biology and behaviour. Since 2017, it has been reported from Albania (EPPO RS 2021/133) where its populations are increasing. For the moment, it is not known whether this finding corresponds to a new introduction or natural spread from Albania (Zografou et al., 2024). Present, few occurrences.
Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora (EPPO A2 List) is first reported on pear (Pyrus communis) in Saudi Arabia. It was isolated in 2020-2021 from pear trees in Hail, Al Jouf, and Tabuk regions (Ibrahim et al., 2024).
Erwinia pyrifoliae (Erwiniaceae - formerly EPPO Alert List) is reported for the first time in the USA in Ohio. It was found in a greenhouse on Fragaria x ananassa. Identity was confirmed using molecular tests (Bonkowski et al., 2024). Present, few occurrences.
Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heteroptera: Coreidae) was observed for the first time in Kyrgyzstan. In September 2024, an adult specimen was observed on a balcony in the city of Cholpon-Ata (Northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul), Northern Kyrgyzstan near the border with Kazakhstan (van der Heyden, 2024). Present, few occurrences.
Neopestalotiopsis rosae (Sporocadaceae) causing leaf necrosis, root rot and wilting of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) was observed for the first time in Albania in the county of Fier (Cara et al., 2024). Present, few occurrences.
Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae – formerly EPPO Alert List) is reported from Ethiopia affecting fruit of Ziziphus trees. It was reported during surveys conducted in 2022-2023 The major pest there was Carpomya incompleta (Diptera: Tephritidae, EU A1 Quarantine Pest). Drosophila hydei and D. simulans were also recorded (Alle et al., 2024).
In Russia, Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae – EPPO A2 List) is first reported from Western Siberia. It was detected in 2024 in Barnaul (Altai Krai) (Baranchikov et al., 2024).
In the USA, Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae – EPPO A2 List) has been found for the first time in North Dakota. Adults were caught in a trap in LaMoure county in August 2024. Follow-up surveys detected larvae. A quarantine zone has been defined (NDDA, 2024).
In China, Apriona rugicollis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae - EPPO A1 List) is reported to occur in Chongqing and Hubei, based on field surveys. The authors also consider that reports from GBIF and iNaturalist in Beijing, Henan, Shaanxi and Fujian are reliable (Zhang et al., 2024).
In the USA, Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae - formerly EPPO Alert List) was reported for the first time in Delaware and Pennsylvania. The entire State of Delaware and Erie County in Pennsylvania are quarantine areas for this pest (USDA, 2024).
Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (Begomovirus citrulli, WmCSV, formerly EPPO Alert List) was identified for the first time on cucurbits (Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis melo) in the USA (Arizona and California) in autumn 2023 (Wintermantel et al., 2024). Present, few occurrences.
- Host plants
In the United Kingdom, orchid fleck virus (Dichorhavirus orchidaceae, OFV – EU A1 List for citrus strains) was first detected on Dendrochilum magnum and Veronica spicata during a routine inspection in a botanical garden in the south of England. Its identity was confirmed using molecular tests (Harju et al., 2024).
- New pests and taxonomy
Numerous studies have shown that Colletotrichum acutatum (EU RNQP) is a species complex. In the EPPO Global Database, the code COLLAC has been kept to describe this species complex and a new code for C. acutatum sensu stricto has been created (COLLAZ). It should also be noted that C. acutatum sensu lato has been regulated mainly because of the disease it causes on strawberry, but that in the light of the new taxonomy, other Colletotrichum within the C. acutatum species complex (e.g. C. godetiae, C. fioriniae, C. nymphae, C. simmondsii) or within the C. dematium species complex (e.g. C. anthrisci, C. lineola) are causing anthracnose of strawberry (Damm et al., 2012, Rose and Damm, 2024).
Irpex rosettiformis is usually considered as a wood decay fungus. It was first reported as a pathogen of avocado trees (Persea americana) in Mexico, causing white root rot disease. This fungus should be monitored to prevent its spread with avocado seedlings (Cisneros-Zambrano et al., 2024).
Sources
Akonde ZF-X, Zakari Moussa O, Atta S, Leyo IH, Dan Guimbo I (2024) Cotton leafhoppers, Amrasca biguttula (Ishida, 1913) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), identified as a new species on okra and guinea sorrel in Niger. Advances in Entomology 12, 183-194. https://doi.org/10.4236/ae.2024.123014
Alle TR, Gure A, Karlsson MF, Andrew SM (2024) Incidence, level of damage and identification of insect pests of fruits and leaves of Ziziphus tree species in Ethiopia. Forests 15(12), 2063. https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122063
Baranchikov YN, Babichev NS, Speranskaya NY, Demidko DA, Volkovitsh MG, Snigireva LS, Akulov EN, Kirichenko NI (2024) Ясеневая изумрудная узкотелая златка Agrilus planipennis fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) на алтае (южная Сибирь). Sibirskij Lesnoj Zurnal [Emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Altai (Southern Siberia). Siberian Journal of Forest Science] 5, 79–88 (in Russian with English abstract and references). https://www.sibjforsci.com/articles/baranchikov-yu-n-babichev-n-s-speranskaya-n-yu-demidko-d-a-volkovitsh-m-e-snigireva-l-s-akulov-e-n-k/
Bonkowski J, Yasuhara-Bell J, Creswell T (2024) First report of Erwinia pyrifoliae causing flower blight and fruit rot on greenhouse-grown Fragaria × ananassa in the United States. Plant Disease 108(11), 3406. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-24-1337-PDN
Cara M, Kola A, Merkuri J, Somma S, Moretti A, Masiello M (2024) First report of Neopestalotiopsis rosae causing black root rot on strawberry (Fragaria× ananassa) in Albania. Journal of Plant Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-024-01773-2
Cisneros-Zambrano A, Mendoza-Churape J, Contreras-Cornejo HA, Raya Montaño YA, Martínez-González CR, Raymundo T, Valenzuela R, Vargas-Sandoval M, Ruiz-Valencia JA, Lara-Chávez MB (2024) First report of Irpex rosettiformis causing white root rot in avocado trees in Michoacán, México. Plant Disease 108(3), 805. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-23-1977-PDN
Damm U, Cannon PF, Woudenberg JHC, Crous PW (2012) The Colletotrichum acutatum species complex. Studies in Mycology 73(1), 37-113.
Harju V, Fowkes AR, Skelton A, Adams IP, Mcgreig S, Forde SM, Pufal H, Conyers C, Frew L, Fox A (2024) First detection of orchid fleck virus on Veronica spicata and Dendrochilum magnum. New Disease Reports. e12312. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.12312
Ibrahim YE, Rafique AM, Al Saleh MA (2024) First report of fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora on pear in Saudi Arabia. Plant Disease 108(12), 3647. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-24-0675-PDN
NDDA (2024-08-22) Emerald ash borer detected in LaMoure County. https://www.ndda.nd.gov/news/emerald-ash-borer-detected-lamoure-county
Rose C, Damm U (2024) Diversity of Colletotrichum species on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) in Germany. Phytopathologia Mediterranea 63(2), 155–178.
Schlitt BP, Lajtár L, Orosz A (2024) New grape-feeding leafhoppers in Hungary–first records of Erasmoneura vulnerata (Fitch, 1851) and Arboridia kakogawana (Matsumura, 1931)(Hemiptera: Clypeorrhyncha: Cicadellidae). Rovartani Közlemények 85, 41-52.
van der Heyden T (2024) First record of Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae) in Kyrgyzstan. Journal of the Heteroptera of Turkey 6(2), 126-128. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13926731
USDA (2024-12-04) APHIS establishes box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) quarantines in Delaware and Pennsylvania. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/box-tree-moth
Wintermantel WM, Tian T, Chen C, Winarto N, Szumski S, Hladky LJ, Gurung S, Palumbo JC (2024) Emergence of watermelon chlorotic stunt virus in melon and watermelon in the southwestern United States. Plant Disease. 108(12), 3664. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-24-1009-PDN
Zhang L, Yang C, Xie G, Wang P, Wang W (2024) Assessment of the potential suitable habitat of Apriona rugicollis Chevrolat, 1852 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) under climate change and human activities based on the Biomod2 Ensemble Model. Insects 15(12), 930. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15120930
Zografou K, Lupoli R, van der Heyden T, Dioli P (2024) Erthesina fullo (Thunberg, 1783) - first record of this invasive species in Greece (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Heteroptera Poloniae – Acta Faunistica 18, 39–41. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14495261