EPPO RNQP

NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Acanthoscelides obtectus (ACANOB)

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PEST

Name as submitted in the project specification (if different to the preferred name):

Pest category:

Insecta

1- Identity of the pest/Level of taxonomic listing:

Is the organism clearly a single taxonomic entity and can it be adequately distinguished from other entities of the same rank?

Yes

Is the pest defined at the species level or lower?:

Yes

Can listing of the pest at a taxonomic level higher than species be supported by scientific reasons or can species be identified within the taxonomic rank which are the (main) pests of concern?

Not relevant: Vegetable seed sector

Is it justified that the pest is listed at a taxonomic rank below species level?

Not relevant

Conclusion:

Candidate: Vegetable seed sector

2 – Status in the EU:

Is this pest already a quarantine pest for the whole EU?

Presence in the EU:

Yes

List of countries (EPPO Global Database):

Austria (2001); Belgium (2001); Bulgaria (2001); Czech Republic (2011); Finland (2011); France (2001); Germany (2001); Greece (2001); Hungary (2001); Italy (2001); Netherlands (2001); Poland (2001); Portugal (2008); Portugal/Madeira (2008); Romania (2001); Slovakia (2001); Spain (2001); Spain/Islas Canárias (2001); Spain/Islas Baleares (2001)

Conclusion:

candidate

Justification (if necessary):

Data of the presence of this pest on the EU territory are available in EPPO Global Database (https://gd.eppo.int/).

HOST PLANT N°1: Pisum sativum (PIBSX) for the Vegetable seed sector.

Origin of the listing:

1 - Vegetable seed sector: Council Directive 2002/55/EC

Plants for planting:

Seeds

3 - Is the pest already listed in a PM4 standard on the concerned host plant?

Conclusion:

Evaluation continues

4 - Are the listed plants for planting the main* pathway for the "pest/host/intended use" combination? (*: significant compared to others):

Yes

Conclusion:

Candidate

Justification:

This bean weevil naturally lives in the field environment where the adults lay eggs on the developing host plant seed pod. The larvae hatch and feed and pupate inside the developing seed, and after harvest can complete further generations in store if conditions are suitable. Germination of infested seeds is reduced due to internal damage or destruction of the seed, but can be prevented by storage in certain types of bags or containers (Mutungi et al., 2015).
One record of damage is available on peas (Pisum sativum (Gelosi & Arcozzi, 1983). The pest was also recorded on peas in Bulgaria (Krusteva, 1973).
In conclusion P. sativum seeds should be considered as a significant pathway.

5 - Economic impact:

Are there documented reports of any economic impact on the host?

Yes

Justification:

One record of damage on peas (Pisum vulgaris) is available (Gelosi & Arcozzi, 1983).

What is the likely economic impact of the pest irrespective of its infestation source in the absence of phytosanitary measures? (= official measures)

Minor

Is the economic impact due to the presence of the pest on the named host plant for planting, acceptable to the propagation and end user sectors concerned?

Yes

Is there unacceptable economic impact caused to other hosts (or the same host with a different intended use) produced at the same place of production due to the transfer of the pest from the named host plant for planting?

Conclusion:

Not candidate

Justification:

Insufficient evidence of economic impact is available to propose the RNQP listing (only one record of damage on peas (Pisum vulgaris)).

CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:

Disqualified: Insufficient evidence of economic impact is available to propose the RNQP listing (only one record of damage on peas (Pisum vulgaris)).

8 - Tolerance level:

Is there a need to change the Tolerance level:

Proposed Tolerance levels:

Delisting.

9 - Risk management measures:

Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:

Proposed Risk management measure:

Delisting.

REFERENCES:

Gelosi A & Arcozzi L (1983) Bean bruchid (Acanthoscelides obsoletus Say). Informatore Fitopatologico 33, 35-38;
Krusteva L (1973) Acanthoscelides obtectus and its control. Rastitelna Zashchita 21, 10-12;
Mutungi C, Affognon HD, Njoroge AW, Manono J, Baributsa D & Murdock LL (2015) Triple-layer plastic bags protect dry common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) against damage by Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) during storage. Journal of Economic Entomology 108, 2479-2488;