Update on the situation of Aleurocanthus spiniferus in Croatia
In Croatia, Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae – EPPO A2 List) was first found in 2012 in a garden centre in Split (EPPO RS 2015/047). In September 2018 another outbreak was reported in Vitaljina, Dubrovnik-Neretva county in a small mandarin orchard (EPPO RS 2018/192). Other outbreaks were detected in 2019-2024 along the coast. As eradication of the pest in Croatia was no longer considered possible in certain areas, demarcated areas were defined where containment measures are applied in the counties of Dubrovnik-Neretva, Split-Dalmatia, Šibenik-Knin and Primorje-Gorski Kotar (EU Regulation 2024/589).
Since February 2024, the NPPO of Croatia has defined further demarcated areas in Dubrovnik-Nerevta county and Split-Dalmatia county where containment measures will be applied. This includes a new infested zone in the municipality of Slivno with a buffer zone in Pojezerje in Dubrovnik-Nerevta County and new infested zones in the municipalities of Stari Grad, Vrbanj, Vis, Supetar, Dugi Rat and Omiš and new buffer zones in Split and Vas in Split-Dalmatia County. Containment is proving difficult as the pest may remain undetected in private properties.
Outside of demarcated areas, eradication measures continue to be implemented including insecticide treatments and destruction of infested plant material.
The pest status of Aleurocanthus spiniferus in Croatia is officially declared as: Present, not widely distributed and under official control.
Sources
NPPO of Croatia (2025-02).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/589 of 20 February 2024 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1927 as regards the list of demarcated areas for containment of Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) OJ L 2024/948. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/589/oj