Pest categorisation of the Andean Potato Weevil (APW) complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the species within the Andean Potato Weevil (APW) complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for the EU. The complex consists of 14 species, 12 belong to the genus Premnotrypes, plus Phyrdenus muriceus and Rhigopsidius tucumanus. These weevils co‐occur in the Andean region, usually above 2,100 m. Eggs are deposited in plant debris close to potato plants. Upon hatching larvae immediately bore into potato tubers where they complete development. Except for R. tucumanus, which pupates inside the tuber, mature larvae leave the tuber and pupate in the soil. Adults can survive feeding on different plants but cannot deposit fertile eggs unless fed on potato foliage. P. muriceus can also complete development feeding on tomato and eggplant roots and occurs at lower altitudes from southern USA to central Argentina. Within the APW complex only species in the genus Premnotrypes are regulated in Annex IIA of Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2072 as Premnotrypes spp. (non‐EU). Within this regulation potential pathways, such as solanaceous plants for planting with foliage and growing medium, seed and ware potatoes, and soil, can be considered as closed. There are no records of interception of any of these weevils in EUROPHYT. Should these species be introduced into the EU, climatic conditions and wide availability of potato crops in the EU territory would provide conditions for establishment, spread and economic impact. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. The species within the APW complex satisfy with no uncertainties the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess, for them to be regarded as potential Union quarantine pests. Although human‐assisted movement of seed potatoes is considered the main mechanism for spread of these species, these weevils do not meet the criterion of occurring in the EU for them to be regarded as potential Union regulated non‐quarantine pests.

De novo genome assembly of four Andean potato weevil species (Premnotrypes, Rhigopsidius), the primary agricultural pest of the potato in South America

“…P. muriceus is not dependent on the potato for the completion of its life cycle and can feed on other crops such as tomatoes and eggplants. For these reasons, scholars have argued that P. muriceus belongs in a classification separate from the Andean potato weevil complex (1,11,65). The genomic data generated here is foundational for future studies classifying the phylogeny of the Andean potato weevil complex and the relatedness between disputed and confirmed species.…”

“…Emergence of the adult weevil from the soil is stimulated during the rainy season, generally between October through January. The exception to this behavior is Rhigopsidius piercei (Heller 1906), which completes its pupation inside the tuber and emerges as an adult weevil (1). Overall, their life cycle is synchronized over the course of one year and culminates with the potato harvest period.…”

“…The Andean potato weevil complex is the most prevalent potato pest in the South American Andes (1–3), destroying an average of 89% of potato tuber harvests without pest control measures (4). This complex has a unique speciation history limited to where the potato was first domesticated in the Andean highlands (5–7), and consists of 14 species across three genera ( Premnotrypes , Rhigopsidius , Phyrdenus ), although inclusion of three of these species are disputed.…”

Pest categorisation of Amathynetoides nitidiventris

“… Occurrence of Köppen–Geiger climate classifications at altitudes between 2,100 and 4,700 m in South America (Source: EFSA PLH Panel, 2020 ) …”

“… Occurrence of Köppen–Geiger climate types BSh, BSk, Cfb, Cfc and ET in Europe (Source: EFSA PLH Panel, 2020 ) …”