Introduction of American serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii, into England and Wales and its eradication from commercial nurseries, 1977–81

Abstract

SUMMARY The American serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), was first seen in England in 1977, at a nursery where chrysanthemums were being grown from cuttings imported from Kenya and Malta. Eradicatory action was taken at this and 14 other nurseries where infestations were found during that year. In 1978, 12 infestations were found, originating on chrysanthemum cuttings from Kenya and the Canary Islands and on Gerbera from the Netherlands. In 1979, 132 infestations were found; by then the sources also included Denmark and the USA. Following the withdrawal of the licence permitting imports of chrysanthemum cuttings from Kenya, 63 infestations were found in 1980 and 48 in 1981. Eradication measures rarely required the destruction of infested crops hut frequently required the selective destruction of infested imported plants, together with the application of various insecticidal treatments. To kill adults, fogs and smokes were used; to kill larvae, foliar sprays were applied and persistent systemic insecticides were incorporated in the planting beds; to kill pupae, soil drenches and sterilants were necessary. By the adoption of this control programme and the vigilance of the plant health authorities, eradication of L. trifolii has been, achieved wherever it has been found in England and Wales.

The eradication campaign against American serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii, at Efford Experimental Horticulture Station

“…Most of the treatments used (Table 1) had been devised previously for eradication of L. trifolii from commercial sites (Bartlett and Powell, 1981). As both ornamental and food crops grown at Efford were hosts of the p-est, treatments had to be selected to reduce the risk of phytotoxicity and to ,avoid unacceptable residues.…”

“…The introduction in 1977 of the American serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess)) into commercial glasshouses in England and Wales was reported by Bartlett and Powell (1981), together with the details of all introductions to commercial nurseries up to the end of 1981 and the eradication of these infestations. An intensive eradication campaign was developed to eliminate the pest from all these infested sites (Powell, 1979) and, where such statutory measures were properly applied, eradication was achieved within a few weeks.…”

Fifty years of Plant Pathology

“…Also of interest to plant health were the introduction of alien pests and diseases and their eradication or containment. During the late 1970s the American serpentine leaf miner ( Liriomyza trifolii ) was accidentally introduced into commercial nurseries in England and Wales, but was successfully eradicated after a rigorous campaign ( Bartlett & Powell, 1981). Baker (1967) reported on the first outbreaks of chrysanthemum white rust ( Puccinia horiana ) in 1963 and the attempts made to eradicate the disease.…”

Control options for eradication campaigns against quarantine pests: what now?1

“…Imported chrysanthemum cuttings were also the pathway for the introduction of Lirionzyzu trifdii into UK glasshouses in 1977, following its establishment in exporting countries such as Kenya and Malta. The cold-storage treatment developed for S. littoralis proved inadequate for L. trifolii, and the number of outbreaks continued to rise on chrysanthemum crops, until imports from Kenya were prohibited (Bartlett & Powell, 1981). As UK growers were dependent on a limited number of suppliers, this had a severe impact on the industry and prompted investigation of further phytosanitary disinfestation treatments.…”