Root knot nematodes M. ethiopica and M. luci are serious pests of several agricultural crops belonging to monocotyledons, dicotyledons, including herbaceous and woody plants. All previously reported populations of M. ethiopica in Europe and Turkey were reclassified as M. luci. In Brazil and Chile, M. ethiopica is considered to be a damaging species on kiwi and grapevine, as infestations lead to a reduction of plant growth, fruit size and quality. It is widely distributed in vineyards in Chile. In Brazil, M. ethiopica has also been reported to cause multiple galls on potato root systems, as well as protuberances on tubers. Similarly, M. luci has been reported on several vegetable crops and has also been shown as a potential threat to the potato production in Portugal. 

M. ethiopica and M. luci can be introduced by several pathways but the highest risk for entry and spread in the PRA area is considered the pathway of host plants for planting with or without growing medium attached. In addition, plant parts like tubers may present also high risk of spreading in case of pest establishment outdoors. Human assisted spread of the pests is the most important one. The probability of establishment of M. ethiopica and M. luci in the protected area is high. Moreover, M. luci has already been detected in the open field production in Europe (Mediterranean climate), in corn and kiwi production in Greece, and potato production in Portugal. There is a high risk of M. luci establishment outdoors in the PRA area, as this species was proved to overwinter outdoors at the open field in continental and Mediterranean climate. The endangered areas in the PRA area for M. luci are therefore areas with continental and Mediterranean climate conditions. Once the root knot nematodes (RKNs) have been introduced, it is in general difficult to control or eradicate them, especially outdoors at the open field. On the other hand, the ability of M. ethiopica to overwinter at the open field in European continental and Mediterranean climate has not been tested yet. However, if the temperature requirements of M. ethiopica are similar to other tropical RKN species (M. incognita, M. luci, M. arenaria) the establishment in the warmer parts of the PRA area would be possible.