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. 2023 Jul 6;21(7):e08074. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8074
Overview of the evaluation of Bemisia tabaci (European populations) for bundles of whips and seedlings
Rating of the likelihood of pest freedom Pest free with some exceptional cases (based on the Median).
Percentile of the distribution 5% 25% Median 75% 95%
Proportion of pest‐free bundles 9,967 out of 10,000 bundles 9,981 out of 10,000 bundles 9,989 out of 10,000 bundles 9,995 out of 10,000 bundles 9,999.2 out of 10,000 bundles
Percentile of the distribution 5% 25% Median 75% 95%
Proportion of infested bundles 0.8 out of 10,000 bundles 5 out of 10,000 bundles 11 out of 10,000 bundles 19 out of 10,000 bundles 33 out of 10,000 bundles
Summary of the information used for the evaluation

Possibility that the pest could become associated with the commodity

The pest is present in the UK, with few occurrences but continuously intercepted. The UK outbreaks of B. tabaci have been restricted to greenhouses. The pest is extremely polyphagous. Other traded plants present in the surroundings of the nursery could be a source of the pest. Polytunnels and glasshouses in the nurseries could act as a reservoir of the pest. The pest could go undetected during inspections.

Measures taken against the pest and their efficacy

General measures taken by the nurseries are effective against the pest. These measures include (a) inspections, surveillance, monitoring, sampling and laboratory testing; (b) hygiene measures; (c) application of pest control products and (d) removal of infested plant material.

Interception records

In the EUROPHYT/TRACES‐NT database, there are no records of notification of Acer plants for planting neither from the UK nor from other countries due to the presence of B. tabaci between the years 1995 and December 2022 (EUROPHYT/TRACES‐NT, online).

There were four interceptions of B. tabaci from the UK in 2007 and 2015 on other plants already planted likely produced under protected conditions (EUROPHYT, online)

Shortcomings of current measures/procedures

None.

Main uncertainties
  • Possibility of development of the pest outside greenhouses.
  • Pest abundance in the nursery and the surroundings.
  • The precision of surveillance and the application of measures targeting the pest.
  • Host suitability of Acer spp. to the pest.
Overview of the evaluation of Bemisia tabaci (European populations) for bare root plants/trees up to 7 years old
Rating of the likelihood of pest freedom Pest free with some exceptional cases (based on the Median).
Percentile of the distribution 5% 25% Median 75% 95%
Proportion of pest‐free plants 9,951 out of 10,000 plants 9,971 out of 10,000 plants 9,984 out of 10,000 plants 9,993 out of 10,000 plants 9,999 out of 10,000 plants
Percentile of the distribution 5% 25% Median 75% 95%
Proportion of infested plants 1 out of 10,000 plants 7 out of 10,000 plants 16 out of 10,000 plants 29 out of 10,000 plants 49 out of 10,000 plants
Summary of the information used for the evaluation

Possibility that the pest could become associated with the commodity

The pest is present in the UK, with few occurrences but continuously intercepted. The UK outbreaks of B. tabaci have been restricted to greenhouses. The pest is extremely polyphagous. Other traded plants present in the surroundings of the nursery could be a source of the pest. Polytunnels and glasshouses in the nurseries could act as a reservoir of the pest. The pest could go undetected during inspections.

Measures taken against the pest and their efficacy

General measures taken by the nurseries are effective against the pest. These measures include (a) inspections, surveillance, monitoring, sampling and laboratory testing; (b) hygiene measures; (c) application of pest control products and (d) removal of infested plant material.

Interception records

In the EUROPHYT/TRACES‐NT database, there are no records of notification of Acer plants for planting neither from the UK nor from other countries due to the presence of B. tabaci between the years 1995 and December 2022 (EUROPHYT/TRACES‐NT, online).

There were four interceptions of B. tabaci from the UK in 2007 and 2015 on other plants already planted likely produced under protected conditions (EUROPHYT, online).

Shortcomings of current measures/procedures

None.

Main uncertainties
  • Possibility of development of the pest outside greenhouses.
  • Pest abundance in the nursery and the surroundings.
  • The precision of surveillance and the application of measures targeting the pest.
  • Host suitability of Acer spp. to the pest.
Overview of the evaluation of Bemisia tabaci (European populations) for plants in pots up to 7 years old
Rating of the likelihood of pest freedom Pest free with some exceptional cases (based on the Median).
Percentile of the distribution 5% 25% Median 75% 95%
Proportion of pest‐free plants 9,934 out of 10,000 plants 9,961 out of 10,000 plants 9,979 out of 10,000 plants 9,991 out of 10,000 plants 9,998.4 out of 10,000 plants
Percentile of the distribution 5% 25% Median 75% 95%
Proportion of infested plants 1.6 out of 10,000 plants 9 out of 10,000 plants 21 out of 10,000 plants 39 out of 10,000 plants 66 out of 10,000 plants
Summary of the information used for the evaluation

Possibility that the pest could become associated with the commodity

The pest is present in the UK, with few occurrences but continuously intercepted. UK outbreaks of B. tabaci have been restricted to greenhouses. The pest is extremely polyphagous. Other traded plants present in the surroundings of the nursery could be a source of the pest. Polytunnels and glasshouses in the nurseries could act as a reservoir of the pest. The pest could go undetected during inspections.

Measures taken against the pest and their efficacy

General measures taken by the nurseries are effective against the pest. These measures include (a) inspections, surveillance, monitoring, sampling and laboratory testing; (b) hygiene measures; (c) application of pest control products and (d) removal of infested plant material.

Interception records

In the EUROPHYT/TRACES‐NT database, there are no records of notification of Acer plants for planting neither from the UK nor from other countries due to the presence of B. tabaci between the years 1995 and December 2022 (EUROPHYT/TRACES‐NT, online).

There were four interceptions of B. tabaci from the UK in 2007 and 2015 on other plants already planted likely produced under protected conditions (EUROPHYT, online).

Shortcomings of current measures/procedures

None.

Main uncertainties
  • Possibility of development of the pest outside greenhouses.
  • Pest abundance in the nursery and the surroundings.
  • The precision of surveillance and the application of measures targeting the pest.
  • Host suitability of Acer spp. to the pest.