EPPO RNQP

NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Aphididae (1APHIF)

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?:

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?

Yes: Vegetable propagating and planting material (other than seeds) sector

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

Not relevant

Conclusion:

Candidate: Vegetable propagating and planting material (other than seeds) sector

Justification (if necessary):

This pest family has not been analysed for each species on this host, however including all the species in the Aphididae would make for practical application and avoid the need for full identification to species of any aphids found in the material to be eventually marketed.
Remark: FI indicated in the RNQP questionnaire, for Cucumis sativus, Lactuca sativa and Solanum lycopersicum, that there are many harmful polyphagous aphids in greenhouse production in the world, and considered that there is no point listing aphids individually.

2 – Status in the EU:

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

Presence in the EU:

Yes

Conclusion:

candidate

Justification (if necessary):

Aphididae are present worldwide.

HOST PLANT N°1: Cucumis melo (CUMME) for the Vegetable propagating and planting material (other than seeds) sector.

Origin of the listing:

2 - Vegetable seedling sector: Commission Directive 93/61/EC

Plants for planting:

Plants intended for planting

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:

Aphididae are widespread in the environment, in weeds and crops and are highly mobile by flight and/or by the wind (Blackman & Eastop, 2000). They have wide host range including vegetable crops and weeds. Some aphids, such as A. gossypii, are transferred to plants by ants. Observational data collected on genetic movement of Myzus persicae over time (a species which can live on brassica plug plants), and recent findings of Ericaphis scammelli on blueberry indicate that plants for planting may be a pathway for aphids across Europe. Highly mobile, the aphids are not strong flyers but they can be carried over large distance by wind. A. gossypii was collected at 150 m above a site using of a kytoon-supported net for insect sampling (Reynolds et al., 1999). Adults and nymphs of aphids are usually visible under light microscope. Therefore the ‘substantially free’ requirement is highly appropriate for Aphididae on vegetable plants. On all hosts, plants for planting are not the major pathway for aphids, in most circumstances, even under protected conditions.

CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:

Disqualified: plants for planting are not the major pathway for aphids, in most circumstances. The ‘substantially free’ requirement is highly appropriate for Aphididae on vegetable plants.

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:

Blackman RL & Eastop VF (2000) Aphids on the World's Crops: An Identification and Information Guide, 2nd Edition. Wiley, 476p;
EPPO (2004) Good plant protection practice PP 2/31 (1) Cucurbits under protected cultivation. OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 34, 91–100;