Pest categorisation of the Gonipterus scutellatus species complex

Abstract

The Panel on Plant health performed a pest categorisation of the Australian Eucalyptus snout-beetle Gonipterus scutellatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), for the EU. G. scutellatus should be referred as the G. scutellatus species complex because it includes several cryptic species. A complete nomenclature of the species present in the EU is still pending. It is a quarantine pest listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Protected zones are in place in Greece and Portugal (Azores). In the EU, it has been found in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. It only consumes Eucalyptus species leaves. The main pathways of spread are the trade of Eucalyptus timber, hitchhiking in various commodities, trade of apple fruit as well as of plants for planting or plant parts. Spread by flight is also possible. The climate of the EU protected zones is similar to that of the Member States (MS) where the G. scutellatus complex is established, and the pest's main host plants are present. The damaged trees suffer die-back and the development of epicormics shoots. Severe attacks may provoke massive amounts of tree death. Biological control by using the egg parasitoid wasp Anaphes nitens is the most effective control measure. Some species within the G. scutellatus complex are not yet present in the EU (including G. scutellatus sensu stricto) and might therefore be considered as potential union quarantine pests for the EU territory. At least two species within the G. scutellatus complex (most likely G. platensis and Gonipterus species no. 2) meet the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential protected zone quarantine pests for the territory of the protected zones: Greece and Portugal (Azores). The criteria for considering the G. scutellatus complex as a potential regulated nonquarantine pest for the EU are not met since plants for planting are not the main pathway.

Microbial Control of Invasive Forest Pests with Entomopathogenic Fungi: A Review of the Current Situation

“…Gonipterus platensis Marelli (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a native of Australia, has been accidentally introduced in other parts of the world where it became a serious pest of eucalyptus [27,28,29]. Based on morphological and molecular data, G. platensis is now recognized as a part of a cryptic species complex known as Gonipterus scutellatus Gyllenhal [28].…”

“…Based on morphological and molecular data, G. platensis is now recognized as a part of a cryptic species complex known as Gonipterus scutellatus Gyllenhal [28]. Gonipterus scutellatus species complex invaded countries, including France, Portugal, Italy, and Spain, and is categorized as a quarantine pest listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC [27]. As the major eucalyptus pest, it causes significant damage to eucalyptus trees around the world.…”

“…The larvae feed on young leaves and defoliate the top parts of the canopy [28], while adults feed on the edges of mature leaves, impairing the growth of the tree [29]. The damaged trees show symptomatic scalloped leaf edges, with a resultant die-back of shoot tips and the development of epicormic shoots [27,30]. Damage initially appears as a brownish scorched appearance of young foliage and eventually leads to the destruction of young twigs and buds.…”

Steinernema diaprepesi (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) parasitizing Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…This beetle was reported in New Zealand in 1890 and causes crop damage in South America, southwestern North America (California), the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands and Hawaii [1]. The attack severity and high dispersal capacity justify efforts to manage this pest [2]. Adults and, mainly, G. platensis larvae which feed exclusively on young eucalyptus leaves can damage this plant.…”

Local augmentation efficiency of Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), the egg parasitoid of Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

“…The Eucalyptus snout‐beetle Gonipterus platensis Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), previously referred as G. scutellatus (see Mapondera, Burgess, Matsuki, & Oberprieler, ), native from Tasmania, is one of the most prominent defoliators of Eucalyptus plantations worldwide (Arzone, ; Cordero Rivera, Santolamazza Carbone, & Andrés, ; Hanks, Millar, Paine, & Campbell, ; Lanfranco & Dungey, ; Loch, ; Tooke, ). Currently, the weevil is present in four continents and twenty‐five countries, where eucalypts are cultivated for commercial and ornamental purposes (Jeger et al, ). Adults and larvae of G. platensis feed on leaves, buds and shoots, causing severe defoliation in susceptible trees, growth reduction and eventually killing branches (Tooke, ).…”