Symptoms and Forms of Treatment
In samples of citrus shoots in Achaia, after laboratory examination of a sample by the Benakeio Phytopathological Institute, the presence of the EU quarantine pest Black Spiny Mealybug was detected.
Aleurocanthus spiniferous (Citrus black spiny mealybug) is a quarantine pest with a primary host on citrus, native to Southeast Asia and widespread in tropical and subtropical countries of Asia, as well as many parts of Africa and Oceania.
In Europe, it was observed in Italy in 2008, Croatia in 2012, and Montenegro in 2013. In Greece, it was found for the first time in Corfu (2016) on citrus, vines, and roses and then in Igoumenitsa (2017), Arta (2019), and again in Arta (2021) and Aetoloakarnania (2021) in citrus fruits and vines, while more recently it has been found in Achaia in citrus shoots. It is a widespread enemy that leads to reduced and deteriorating citrus production, destroying young foliage, and eventually weakening trees. Attacks have been reported on citrus, vines, rose bushes, pear trees, ornamental trees and shrubs, and tropical trees, as well as apple and peach trees, with the insect creating numerous colonies of larvae on the lower surface of the leaves. Adults live in the same places, and if disturbed they move vigorously by flight. The result of the attack is molasses slicks, which then turn into thick smoke. Young larvae are black, and flattened, and have 6 legs with 2 elongated girths, and much shorter bristles. They actively move in the shaded parts of the foliage, and after being released, winged adult insects emerge and remain at rest. The general wing coloration of adults is metallic blue-gray with pale markings. Dissemination of insects over long distances is carried out by transferring infected seedlings intended for transplantation or infected parts of plants, in which there are eggs or larvae of insects. It should be noted that there are no effective natural enemies for this enemy while fighting it with conventional insecticides is considered difficult, the paths of movement and dispersal.
Adults fly short distances with the help of the wind and only when disturbed.
Dispersal over long distances can be by transferring infected plant material (plants for cultivation, parts of plants, and fruits) or by attaching adults to people, cargo, and vehicles.
Counter Measures:
- Use healthy and approved propagating materials.
- Avoid moving infected plant material (planting material, fruits with leaves or stems from infected trees, flowers).
- Prune and burn infected branches.
- Systematic control of crops to identify any symptoms and immediate notification to the competent phytosanitary services (D.A.O.K., P.K.P.P.P. & F.E.) if detected. Because the threat of the enemy spread to P.E. It’s visible.
- ILIAS PLEASE AVOID ANY TRANSPORTATION OF PLANTS, IN PARTICULAR, CITRUS, AND MINERALS WITHOUT A PHYTOSANITARY PASSPORT (MANDATORY DOCUMENT WHEN TRANSPORTING PLANTS FOR Cultivation).
