First record of whitefly quarantine species Aleurocanthus spiniferus Quaintance, 1903 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Croatia | Prvi nalaz karantenske vrste štitastog moljca Aleurocanthus spiniferus Quaintance, 1903 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) u Hrvatskoj
2013
Šimala, M. | Masten Milek, T.
Orange spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus spiniferus Quaintance, 1903 originated in south-east Asia and has spread widely in tropical and subtropical Asia, and into Africa and the Pacific. Citrus spp. are the main hosts of economic importance, but A. spiniferus has been recorded from woody hosts of 13 plant families.This species is listed as a quarantine threat to Europe and is included in the EU Annex II/A1 and in the EPPO A2 list. In Europe, it was reported for the first time in Italy, in 2008. In May 2012, A. spiniferus was first found in Croatia, on ornamental potted orange seedlings (Citrus x aurantium L.) from domestic production in one nursery garden in Split. Infested orange plants have locally numerous small, brownish to black scales with a short fringe of white wax on the underside of leaves. The identification of the whitefly species was carried out by the Institute’s Laboratory for Zoology and the result was confirmed in Plant Protection Service, Wageningen, The Netherlands. The origin of the infestation of this alien species is still unknown, but it is assumed that the infection originated from imported plant material from Italy. A. spiniferus causes general weakening of seriously infested plants due to sap loss and the growth of sooty mould. Dense colonies of whitefly immature stages develop on leaf undersides, whereas the adults fly actively when disturbed. Leaves and citrus fruits have spots of sticky, transparent honeydew, which become covered in black sooty mould fungus. A heavy infestation gives trees an almost completely black appearance. The potential host range of A. spiniferus in the EPPO region would be essentially citrus, with some possibility of establishment on other woody plantation crops growing in the southern part of the region in climatic conditions suitable for the pest. It presents a potential permanent risk to citrus in Croatia, especially to production of mandarin in Neretva river valley. For now, A. spiniferus has status of eradicated species in Croatia.
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