First report of Eutetranychus orientalis in Italy
The citrus brown mite Eutetranychus orientalis (Acari: Tetranychidae – EPPO A2 List) is reported for the first time in Italy. It was detected in several locations in Sicilia between August and October 2024: in orange groves located in the municipalities of Misterbianco, Motta Sant'Anastasia, Paternò, Ramacca (province of Catania) and in the municipality of Lentini (province of Syracuse). It was also detected on potted lemon ornamental trees in the municipality of Taormina (province of Messina). The identity of the pest was confirmed by morphological analysis.
The authors note that numerous informal reports were made by citrus growers, suggesting that this species is probably more widely spread in Eastern Sicily than the confirmed reports.
A slight defoliation was observed on some plants but, as the summer 2024 was particularly long, very hot and dry, it was not possible to determine whether this was caused by mite activity or the unfavourable conditions.
Further surveys will be conducted in the following months to assess the spread and potential damage.
The situation of Eutetranychus orientalis can be described as: Present, not widely distributed and not under official control.
Sources
Tropea Garzia G, Tumminelli R, Ben Hmad E, Massimino Cocuzza G (2025) First report of Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein, 1936) (Acari, Tetranychidae), found in citrus orchards in Eastern Sicily. EPPO Bulletin (early view) https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.13061