EPPO Bulletin最新文献

In 2022, a suspected incursion of Oryctes rhinoceros (coconut rhinoceros beetle, CRB) was reported in Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, México, based on damage symptoms observed on coconut palms and photographs of beetles on a social media site. This prompted collaboration with local biologists and land managers, and a survey of the area with the suspected invasion was carried out in 2024. Adult beetles and larvae were collected, and morphological features were consistent with taxonomic characteristics of O. rhinoceros. Damage to coconut palms consistent with that caused by O. rhinoceros was observed and photographed in the locations where the beetles were captured. Molecular analysis confirmed the specimens' species identity as O. rhinoceros, belonging to the CRB-G (clade I^A) haplotype grouping. The Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus, a biocontrol agent which is widespread in coconut rhinoceros beetle populations in some Pacific islands, was not detected. Reports of O. rhinoceros on iNaturalist, the results of this survey and DNA analysis confirm that O. rhinoceros has established for the first time in the Americas in Bahía de Banderas on the border between Nayarit and Jalisco. While the current infestation area is limited, a thorough delimiting survey should be carried out as soon as possible, and a response plan should be prepared to contain or eradicate the pest before it spreads.

Preparedness for plant pest outbreaks through contingency planning is an effective approach to ensure a rapid response. Within the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) region, Xylella fastidiosa has significant economic, environmental and social impacts in some member countries, as well as its potential for spread to other member countries. To enhance preparedness for this pathogen, a contingency planning simulation exercise workshop was jointly organized by EPPO and the Near East Plant Protection Organization. The event took place over 3 days in May 2025 in Tunisia. A total of 69 participants from 21 countries attended the workshop. The attendees came from diverse plant health backgrounds, including experts from National Plant Protection Organizations, international organizations, plant health scientists, policy officials, inspectors, quarantine officers, and pest control specialists. Participants were divided into six groups, each acting as an outbreak management team tasked with addressing the challenges of an X. fastidiosa outbreak. The scenario was based on the first detection of X. fastidiosa at an olive nursery in a fictitious country called Surveyland. As the scenario progressed over a simulated one-year timeline, each team had to organize themselves to manage a range of issues designed to mimic the fictitious but realistic development of an X. fastidiosa outbreak.

In this issue, we share important updates and new challenges in plant health across the EPPO region.

One highlight is the publication of two new and two revised PM 7 Standards on diagnostics. Developed by expert teams and the EPPO Panels on Diagnostics in Entomology and in Mycology and approved via the fast-track procedure, pest-specific Diagnostic Standards help countries detect and accurately identify pests, allowing for improved management of plant threats.

This issue also includes three new EPPO Datasheets. These provide detailed information on pests that are recommended for regulation. They explain what the pests are, where they are found, how they behave, and the risks they pose to plants in the region. This issue datasheets on laurel wilt Harringtonia lauricola and its vectors, the white-marked tussock moth Orgyia leucostigma, and the rice root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola are included to support early recognition.

Additionally, we received information on threats coming from beyond our region, which is important for our preparedness. For example, this issue includes papers on Pyricularia oryzae lineage Triticum causing wheat blast disease which is an emerging threat to the EPPO region as well as on the coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) which was found in Timor-Leste for the first time.

Having accurate information about pests will help us assess risks and take preventive actions more effectively.

The EPPO Secretariat, Panels, Working Parties, and experts work together to support NPPOs across the EPPO Region to ensure the safety of our plant resources.

This set continues the series of EPPO datasheets at present constituted by Quarantine Pests for Europe (2nd edition), the first supplementary set published in 1999 in the EPPO Bulletin issue 29, 459–506, the second supplementary set published in 2005 in issue 35, 361–475, the third supplementary set published in 2006 in issue 36, 1–9, the fourth supplementary set published in 2007 in issue 37, 223–245, the fifth, sixth and seventh supplementary sets published in 2008 in issue 38, 53–63, 161–166 and 439–449, respectively, the eighth and ninth supplementary sets published in issue 39, 41–64 and 487–499, the tenth supplementary set published in issue 40, 401–406, the eleventh supplementary set published in issue 41, 407–418, the twelfth and thirteenth supplementary sets published in issue 43, 139–143 and 195–196, the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth supplementary sets published in issue 44, 5–10, 149–163 and 474–478, the seventeenth supplementary set published in issue 45, 2–13, the eighteenth supplementary set published in issue 46, 02–24, the nineteenth supplementary set published in issue 47, 524–548, the twentieth and twenty-first supplementary sets published in issue 49, 48–72 and 259–297, the twenty-second set published in issue 50, 156–169, the twenty-third set published in issue 50, 241–248, the 24th set published in issue 50, 526–548, the 25th set published in issue 52, 371–373, the 26th set published in issue 53, 100-107, the 27th set published in issue 53, 613–623, the 28th set published in issue 54, 25–40, the 29th set published in issue 54, 343-360 and the 30th set published in in issue 55, 73-80. It contains a further datasheet produced as part of the core work programme of EPPO datasheets.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) synthesizes many secondary metabolites within its woody tissues, which act as a chemical defence against pathogens. The annual pruning of mature woody shoots of grapevine (also referred to as grapevine canes) from vineyards represents a renewable source of natural fungicides. We produced an extract of grapevine cane waste (Antoferine®) to evaluate its efficacy on apple scab disease in the field over three seasons from 2018 to 2020. The application of grapevine cane extract ranging from 2.5 g/L (1.25 kg/ha) to 15 g/L (7.5 kg/ha) on cider-apple trees significantly protected apple shoots and fruits from scab disease, regardless of application time at low or high Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) levels. Its efficacy was comparable to commonly used fungicides under moderate pathogen pressure in 2018 and 2019. Under a high pathogen pressure in 2020, its effect was lower than that of the commonly used fungicides while still providing protection against disease. An optimal dose of 5 g/L (2.5 kg/ha) of grapevine cane extract is suitable for use in crop protection from an industrial perspective. Under the financial support of the European Union, we submitted the dossier for approval of grapevine cane extract as a commercial biocontrol to contribute to sustainable agriculture.

Persea indica (Lauraceae) is an endemic evergreen tree of the Macaronesian Laurisilva forests, valued for its ecological importance, ornamental appeal and bioactive compounds. We report, for the first time, the presence of three scale insect species (Superfamily Coccoidea), namely Aulacaspis tubercularis, Icerya seychellarum and Protopulvinaria pyriformis, on P. indica in two trees located on the coast of Málaga (Spain). Pest identification was initially based on morphological traits and subsequently confirmed by molecular analysis. Although no severe symptoms were observed under current cultivation conditions, these polyphagous pests are known to affect a wide range of hosts. Notably, P. indica may serve as a pathway for the introduction of these pests into new regions. At the same time, in its native range, this endemic plant species may be exposed to pests introduced through other subtropical crops cultivated in Macaronesia. Our findings underscore the importance of phytosanitary surveillance both to prevent the spread of invasive species via ornamental plant trade and to protect vulnerable native flora from pest introductions.