Table A.1.

Overview, evaluation and uncertainties of measures applied in the field against Thrips palmi on Momordica charantia fruits from Mexico designated for export to the EU, based on the information provided in the dossier

Risk mitigation measure	Description of applied measures	Evaluation and uncertainties by the Panel
Protected cultivation	Not applied, only seedlings are raised in greenhouse conditions in most areas.	Only applied for seedlings
Pest specific monitoring	Mexico adopted a specific ‘National Campaign Against Eastern Thrips’ including surveillance and monitoring systems for T. palmi. Sampling data are recorded by field staff (project professionals/field assistants). This consists of several measures: – Sampling: sampling of T. palmi is carried out every 21 days where the pest is present (Quintana Roo, Yucatan) and every 15 days in other areas. Per farm 5 points are selected, sampling 20 organs per sampling point: whole plants at the start of the production cycle and plant parts when full grown. – Monitoring with blue sticky traps: throughout the crop cycle, traps are placed in the middle part of the plant at five rotating points in the field. – Isolation and destruction of plants with severe symptoms of infestation and crop residues.	A pest‐specific monitoring is in place in Mexico. Monitoring and sampling data are used to determine the population density. When population levels are low, biological products are used, when levels are high (4 individuals/organ) insecticides are used. Uncertainties Number of thrips recorded during field inspections, in particular larvae, may also include other species like F. occidentalis.
Chemical control	– Various insecticides are frequently applied (see details in Table A.2). – Insecticides, during preharvest and harvest, are applied on a 7‐day interval basis, indicate spraying on a calendar‐like basis.	Insecticides applied are effective against T. palmi. Insecticides are applied when the population level of 100 organs per field on sampling and monitoring data, exceeds an average of 4 individuals/organ. The repeated use of insecticides is likely to cause development of resistant populations of T. palmi. Uncertainties Number of thrips recorded after insecticide application, may also include other species like F. occidentalis. There are uncertainties on the level of resistance of T. palmi to chemical insecticides
Weed control	Elimination of alternative hosts through hand weeding or by applications of glyphosate.	The availability of alternative host plants for T. palmi is reduced in and around production fields. Uncertainties The intensity and frequency of weed control is uncertain
Biological control	Biological control agents are applied (dossier section 6) during preharvest and harvest. In addition to naturally occurring control agents in the area of M. charantia production, at the moment of detecting T. palmi at low levels (1–3.9 ind/organ sampled) biological control is applied: – lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea) are curatively applied onto infested leaves at a dose of 2 ml/ha or 10–50/m2. – Cc Beauveria bassiana (1x107 CFU/mL): 20%; Cc Nomurea Rileyi (1 × 107 CFU/mL): 10%; Cc Metarhizium anisopliae (1 × 10 CFU/mL): 15%; Cc Verticillium lecanii (1 × 10 CFU/mL): 10%; Cc Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (1 × 10 CFU/mL): 15%; multiple oleic‐active concentrate: 15%.	Biological control is applied at low population levels. The chemical control applied is not compatible with biological control. The agents used are not specifically targeting T. palmi, and have a low overall efficacy on thrips. Uncertainties: No data are available on biological control efficacy
Cultural control	Padding: the crop rows are covered with silver padding that prevents the emergence of weeds next to the plants, which can be alternative hosts of T. palmi; in addition, the silver padding acts as pest repellent. Cleaning and disinfection of tools: the scissors and boxes used to cut the fruits are cleaned and of polluting materials where they could accommodate T. palmi.	Low effect
Inspection	Fruits are visually inspected in the field during harvesting by the technical field staff, and should be free from visible defects.	Detection of early larval stages of T. palmi in the field is difficult. Eggs are not detected.
Pest‐free area	Not applied; there are no official pest‐free areas in Mexico	Not applied