Good day
I am writing to make you aware on the attached Risk Assessments concerning #Tropidosteptes #pacificus (Ash mirid plant bug) and #Caleptrimerus #vitis (Grape rust mite).
T. pacificus is native to North America occuring in the western United States and southern Canada. In Europe it has established in the Netherlands since 2007 and Belgium since 2010. The pest was found in 2012 in London at two public parks. The distribution of the pest suggests that it would be able to survive outdoors throughout most of the UK. Adult bugs can fly and it could be dispersed rapidly in trade. The impact is expected to be low, as it is only an occasional pest of ornamental ashes in the USA, causing chlorotic spotting and bleaching of foliage, curling of leaves, wilting of branches, and temporary defoliation when populations are large. Ash trees usually tolerate the damage and it has not been reported causing damage in Europe where it is known to be present. However, there is a degree of uncertainty regarding the impact, especially when combined with ash die back.
Caleptrimerus vitis is widespread throughout the world, being present in most viticulture areas, including much of Europe. It had not previously been recorded in the UK. The pest is likely to be able to establish in the UK, if it has not already done so, but possibly with fewer generations per year and lower population densities than in countries with dry, hot summers, meaning that the economic impact would be lower. It is likely that C. vitis can be spread long distances by wind dispersal and can also be dispersed by humans, indicating that containment would be difficult.
<<tropidosteptes.pdf>> <<caleptrimerus.pdf>>
The attached documents may also be found on Fera’s website at: http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/plantHealth/pestsDiseases/praTableNew.cfm
Appreciate these threats might not be your area of expertise but you are better placed to make this call than I. Any views/comments you do have on these papers are most welcome.
Regards
Yvonne Hay
Policy Adviser
Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Development Division
Plants, Horticulture and Potatoes
D Spur
Broomhouse Drive
Ext 49692