EPPO RNQP

NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Helicoverpa armigera (HELIAR)

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: Seed potato sector

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

Not relevant

Conclusion:

Candidate: Seed potato 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 (2014); Belgium (2007); Bulgaria (1993); Cyprus (2011); Finland (2011); France (1994); Germany (2004); Greece (2010); Hungary (2000); Italy (2012); Italy/Sicilia (1994); Italy/Sardegna (1994); Malta (2008); Poland (2010); Portugal (2008); Portugal/Azores (2005); Portugal/Madeira (2008); Romania (1992); Slovakia (2011); Slovenia (2000); Spain (2016); Spain/Islas Canárias (1994)

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: Solanum tuberosum (SOLTU) for the Seed potato sector.

Origin of the listing:

IIA2AWG

Plants for planting:

Plants intended for planting, other than [true] 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):

Conclusion:

Not candidate

Justification:

Eggs and larvae can readily be transported with plants for planting, cut flowers and vegetables and many interceptions have been made on all three commodity types (EU COM, 2015). Eggs are laid usually in the upper half of plants. Pupation occurs in the soil (EFSA-PLH, 2014), in the upper 10 cm of the soil (Attique et al., 2000; Murray & Zaluki, 1994; Stoeva, 1969). Even though Solanum tuberosum is a host plant, association with seed potatoes is considered unlikely. Seed potatoes grown and sold as young plants in pots are a negligible trade although micro plants of higher categories are traded in small amounts. However the methods and growing conditions used (in small tubes or jars in controlled environment conditions) prevent any infestation risks. H. armigera is polyphagous and can be spread with plants for planting of many species. It is present in Europe and can spread over large distances. It can migrate over 1000 km (Lammers & Macleod, 2007; EFSA-PLH, 2014). Experts concluded that seed potatoes is not considered to be a significant pathway.

CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:

Disqualified: Seed potatoes are not considered to be a significant pathway.

8 - Tolerance level:

Is there a need to change the Tolerance level:

Yes

Proposed Tolerance levels:

Delisting.

9 - Risk management measures:

Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:

Yes

Proposed Risk management measure:

Delisting.

REFERENCES:

Attique M R, Ghaffar A, Mohyuddin A I & Ahmad Z (2000) Pupation and diapausing behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Punjab. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 32, 61-64 ;
EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH) (2014) Scientific Opinion on the pest categorisation of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). EFSA Journal 2014;12(10):3833, 28 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3833 http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/3833.pdf;
EU COM (2015) Recommendation of the Working Group on the Annexes of the Council Directive 2000/29/EC – Section II – Listing of Harmful Organisms as regards the future listing of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner);
Lammers JW & Macleod A (2007) Report of a pest risk analysis Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808). Plant Protection Service, the Netherlands, Central Science Laboratory, United Kingdom. http://www.vwa.nl/onderwerpen/english/dossier/pest-risk-analysis/evaluation-of-pest-risks;
Murray D A H & Zaluki M P (1994) Spatial distribution and mortality of Helicoverpa spp. pupae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under field crops on the Darling Downs, Queensland. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 33, 193-198;
Stoeva R (1969) The cotton bollworm-a serious pest of vegetable crops. Rastitelna Zashtita 17, 22-25;