The NVWA has found the dwarf cicada Hishimonus sellatus in a greenhouse with potted plants. This is the first time this organism has been reported in the EU. The NVWA has conducted a Quickscan and based on the risks has decided to declare the organism Quarantine Worthy (for explanation, see: Q-organisms, PZ-Q-organisms and RNQPs | Plant Diseases and Pests | NVWA). This means that the organism must be controlled and that import shipments will be rejected if H. sellatus is present. Control measures have been imposed on the company.
Hishimonus sellatus has been found on sticky traps. Sucking damage has been found on a batch of Rhododendron indicum that was imported from China earlier this year. Hishimonus sellatus has a wide range of host plants, including Ampelopsis brevipedencula var. heterophylla, Boehmeria nivea, Catharanthus roseus, Cudrania tricuspidata, Daucus carota, Humulus japonicus, Ligustrum obtusifolium, Lycium chinense, Morus alba, Oryza sativa, Rosa rugosa, Rosa sp., Solanum melongena, Vitex rotundifolia and Ziziphus jujuba. The species is originally from East Asia but has also been reported in other parts of the world, such as Oceania (see EPPO Global Database).
Severe damage to plants from the dwarf cicada itself is not expected, but damage from the phytoplasmas it can transmit is. Hishimonus sellatus has been reported as a vector of phytoplasmas such as Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi (Q) and Ca. P. asteris (RNQP) on Fragaria and Vaccinium. These phytoplasmas can cause significant damage to plants. Due to the presence of the vector, the phytoplasmas can be transmitted more efficiently and thus spread more quickly. The dwarf cicada is not harmful to humans and animals. The quickscan of H. sellatus has been published on the NVWA website.
Report it immediately if you suspect the presence of this dwarf cicada.
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