Summary of the Express Pest Risk Analysis for Helicoverpa zea (Boddie, 1850)

PRA area: Poland

Describe the endangered area: maize crops- northwest Poland, cultivations in protected conditions- the entire PRA area (less important)

Main conclusions

Helicoverpa zea is a butterfly species in the family Noctuidae. The species is widely distributed across warmer regions of America. Polyphagous larvae cause serious economic losses in cotton, sorghum, maize and tomato crops.

Butterflies are highly mobile, ranging over wide areas and can settle for a while colder regions (north Canada, south Argentina). Considering  climatic conditions in PRA area, it is unlikely that pest will be able to have a permanent populations. PRA area will be endangered in case of occurence of numerous H. zea populations in south Europe (similar situation is with related species Helicoverpa  armigera)

There is a risk of crop losses in protected conditions in case of pest occurrence in PRA area.

Phytosanitary risk for the endangered area

(Individual ratings for likelihood of entry and establishment, and for magnitude of spread and impact are provided in thedocument)

High

Moderate

Low

Level of uncertainty of assessment

(see Q 18 for the justification of the rating. Individual ratings of uncertainty of entry, establishment, spread and impact are provided in the document)

High

Moderate

Low

Other recommendations:

Monitoring raports of losses causes by H. armigera and H. zea

Summary of the Express Pest Risk Analysis for Hop stunt viroid na chmielu (Humulus lupulus)

PRA area: Poland

Describe the endangered area: hops garden in entire PRA area (especially Lubuskie and Wielkopolskie province)

Main conclusions:

Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) has broad host range but most of its infections are asymptomatic. Fortunately, so far viroid has not been reported in Poland. However, research carried out in Slovenia (one of the main hop producers in UE) showed that HSVd occurs in some tree plantations and hop fields (main host plant).

Rating of the likelihood of entry in PRA area: low (Most of propagation material is producted in Poland. Seedlings are imported from Germany, where viroid is not present. HSVd occurs in Japan, China, USA, but import from those area is insignificant.

Import of infected citrus is main way of entry. Most of plant waste is sent to landfill sites, where virioid poses no risk.

However spread from citrus to hops is asocciated with risk of the waste-related transmission.

It is important that viroid may be easily mechanically transmited between plants. High density planting also increase the risk of spread.

HSVd can be also transmitted by contaminated tools and machinery, clothing. Sanitary and phytosanitary measures must be complied with in full.

Cultivations of host plants need to be systematically monitored in case of viroid occurence.

Phytosanitary risk for the endangered area

(Individual ratings for likelihood of entry and establishment, and for magnitude of spread and impact are provided in thedocument)

High

☐

Moderate

X

Low

☐

Level of uncertainty of assessment

(see Q 18 for the justification of the rating. Individual ratings of uncertainty of entry, establishment, spread and impact are provided in the document)

High

☐

Moderate

X

Low

☐

Other recommendations:

·         Controls of propagation material imported to Poland

·         Monitoring of hops field (for any evidence of viroids occurence)

·         Better legal regulation in order to reduce the possibility of viroid occurence in UE and PRA area