Pest categorisation of Cenopalpus irani.

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Cenopalpus irani (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), known as the Iranian false spider mite, following the commodity risk assessment of Malus domestica plants from Türkiye, in which C. irani was identified as a pest of possible concern for the territory of the European Union (EU). The pest is only known to be present in Iran and Türkiye and has not been reported from the EU. The mite primarily feeds on Rosaceae plants but is considered polyphagous. Important crops of the EU that are hosts of C. irani include apples (Malus domestica), pears (Pyrus communis) and figs (Ficus carica). Plants for planting and fruits provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability in southern EU countries would most probably allow this species to successfully establish and spread. This mite is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread of this species into the EU. The mite C. irani satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest, although there is a key uncertainty over the likelihood and magnitude of impact.

Insights into the Diversity and Population Structure of Predominant Typhlocybinae Species Existing in Vineyards in Greece.

Insects of the subfamily Typhlocybinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) are pests of economically important agricultural and horticultural crops. They damage the plants directly or indirectly by transmitting plant pathogens, resulting in significant yield loss. Several leafhoppers of this subfamily use vines as hosts. Accurate and rapid identification is the key to their successful management. The aim of this study is to determine the Typhlocybinae species that exist in vineyards all over Greece and investigate the relationship between them. For this purpose, yellow sticky traps were placed, morphological and molecular data were collected, and phylogenetic models were analyzed. The mitochondrial marker Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (mtCOI) was applied for the DNA and phylogenetic analysis. The combination of morphological and molecular data resulted in identifying the existence of six different species all over Greece: Arboridia adanae, Asymmetrasca decedens, Hebata decipiens, Hebata vitis, Jacobiasca lybica and Zygina rhamni. Forty-eight different haplotypes were found to exist in the different regions of the country.

A Molecular Diagnostic Assay for the Discrimination of Aphid Species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Infesting Citrus.

Aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are among the most serious pests for citrus cultivation throughout the world causing substantial crop damages. Accurate identification of aphids to the species level can be difficult, though being crucial for their effective management. In this study, a molecular diagnostic assay for distinguishing eleven aphid species was developed. A fragment of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (mtCOI) gene was used and a Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-FLP) analysis with five restriction enzymes, based on DNA sequence polymorphisms, was applied to differentiate the eleven aphid species. This molecular technique allows aphid species at any life stage to be discriminated accurately and simply and can be a useful tool for monitoring the populations of economically important aphid species.

Genetic and endosymbiotic diversity of Greek populations of Philaenus spumarius, Philaenus signatus and Neophilaenus campestris, vectors of Xylella fastidiosa.

The plant-pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa which causes significant diseases to various plant species worldwide, is exclusively transmitted by xylem sap-feeding insects. Given the fact that X. fastidiosa poses a serious potential threat for olive cultivation in Greece, the main aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variation of Greek populations of three spittlebug species (Philaenus spumarius, P. signatus and Neophilaenus campestris), by examining the molecular markers Cytochrome Oxidase I, cytochrome b and Internal Transcribed Spacer. Moreover, the infection status of the secondary endosymbionts Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Hamiltonella, Cardinium and Rickettsia, among these populations, was determined. According to the results, the ITS2 region was the less polymorphic, while the analyzed fragments of COI and cytb genes, displayed high genetic diversity. The phylogenetic analysis placed the Greek populations of P. spumarius into the previously obtained Southwest clade in Europe. The analysis of the bacterial diversity revealed a diverse infection status. Rickettsia was the most predominant endosymbiont while Cardinium was totally absent from all examined populations. Philaenus spumarius harbored Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, Hamiltonella and Wolbachia, N. campestris carried Rickettsia, Hamiltonella and Wolbachia while P. signatus was infected only by Rickettsia. The results of this study will provide an important knowledge resource for understanding the population dynamics of vectors of X. fastidiosa with a view to formulate effective management strategies towards the bacterium.

Genetic structure of Marchalina hellenica (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) populations from Turkey: preliminary mtDNA sequencing data.

The scale insect Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) contributes to the production of pine honey in Turkey and Greece via the honeydew excreted when it feeds on pine trees. Although it is an insect of prime economic importance, there is no information on its genetic structure. Preliminary data were obtained based on sequencing analysis of 12s rDNA and COI mtDNA gene segments from samples from four areas of Turkey. Sequences of the 12s rDNA gene segment from Greek samples available in GenBank were also included. No variability was detected concerning the COI mtDNA gene segment analysis, although 13 haplotypes were revealed based on the 12s rDNA gene segment. The most distant population was from Mudanya-Bursa Province (Turkey). Further research is necessary on the genetic structure and variability of M. hellenica populations from the two neighboring countries.