Express PRA for Pseudococcus viburni
Description
The mealybug Pseudococcus viburni is endemic in the neotropics. In 2010, it was detected for the first time in Germany in the open field in Baden-Württemberg. For some time it occurs in the indoor green plants in Germany. Up to now the pest is neither listed in the annexes of Directive 2000/29/EC nor by EPPO. The range of host plants of P. viburni comprises at least 296 host plants from 87 families. The mealybug can spread via infested host plant material, tools and machines. Natural spread in the open field occurs only to a minor degree via nymph stages on the plant and in the crop. Damage occurs on ornamentals in glasshouses and on indoor green plants as well as in outdoor crops, mainly due to quality loss caused by suction damage, secretion of honeydew, establishment of mould and weakening of plants (f. e. on apples and pears in South Africa) as well as by transmission of the leafroll disease of grape vine. Due to the establishment in the open field in the central Neckar region in Baden-Württemberg the damage potential by mealybugs and associated viruses has significantly increased on outdoor crops, especially in fruit production and viticulture. Based on this risk analysis it must be assumed that Pseudococcus viburni will establish in Germany and further EU MS also in the open field and might cause considerable damage. A reliable assessment of the economic importance is currently not possible because of lack of data. In case of an occurrence in the open field, measures to eradicate the infestation and prevent the spread of P. viburni should, in general, meet § 4a of the Plant Inspection Order (PBVO). Because of the occurrence in indoor spaces and in some other EU Member States while the pest has only a minor damage potential, the applied measures should regard some commensurability. In the concrete case, the fruit and vine crops in the central Neckar region are especially endangered and the still limited extent of the infestation allows effective measures on the eradication of this outbreak. Appropriate measures should be taken, as removal and destruction of the infested plants and furthermore the use of suitable insecticides for the preventive control in the area.
Files
Type | File | Size |
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Pest Risk Analysis | Download | 177,69kB |
PRA Area
- Germany